Quality Assurance Test for Composted Green Waste

This major project is currently underway at EcoDiagnostics ltd in Devon. The project aims to develop a range of devices by which composted green wastes can be tested for the presence of selected plant pathogens and/or the presence of disease-suppressive organisms so that compost producers and users can be assured of a quality. £168,000 was provided via the Norlands Foundation for this work.

More information about the work can be found at www.soilsense.net

Devon Wildlife Trust: Wembury Marine Centre

This facility exists to promote awareness and protection of Devon’s spectacular marine wildlife and opened in 1994.  Refurbishment of displays and exhibits were needed to engage new audiences and continue the good work of the centre. SWEET procured a £30,000 grant from Plymouth City Council to fund improvements to interpretation and access arrangements at the Marine Visitor Centre.

Lamerton Sports & Community Centre, nr. Tavistock, Devon

The community of Lamerton has worked hard to realise their aim of providing a multi-purpose sports and community centre at the heart of the village. SWEET helped by securing grants of £51,020 from Biffaward and £3,000 from the Pennon Environmental Fund.

The Withywood Centre, S. Bristol

This is a major project overseen by the South Bristol Church and Community Trust (SBCCT) designed to breathe new life into a deprived area of Bristol.  SWEET obtained for this project a £51,020 Biffaward grant to contribute towards the >£5m cost of a new Community centre in Withywood. When complete it will house a community café with internet facilities, large hall with staging, activity room for children and young people, health clinic and play garden.

This comprises the restoration of farm buildings into a regional residential centre for biodiversity, sustainability and environmental conservation. A £500,000 flagship grant from Biffaward has been obtained to accompany Heritage Lottery funding for the £3.5m project. Work has begun on the site and it is set to open in Easter 2008.

For more information and photographs visit www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk

This is a large (34 acre) Victorian burial ground, housing roughly 250,000 deceased and incorporating two chapels and a number of access roads. SWEET have obtained a LCF grant from Plymouth City Council worth £60,000 over three years. This will pay for works to the cemetery roads, easing the subsequent cutting back overgrown areas and other works. The cemetery trust currently maintains a rate of burials at around 50/year but is keen to increase this number.

More information about the work can be found at the excellent www.ford-park-cemetery.org

New Parkham Playground, Bideford, N. Devon

Parkham village had been without a playground since the previous equipment was deemed unsafe and was removed 4 years ago.A £14,500 grant provided by local landfill operator Devon Waste Management allowed the renewal of the equipment in the children's play area, as well asinstallation of safety fencing and flooring.

 The playground is designed to suit the needs of primary school age children, of which there are 70 at the village school, and a covered seating area will be created to suit accompanying parents, carers or older children.

Tipton St John Community Hall, Sidmouth, Devon.

The aim of the overall project was to extend the existing building in order to improve access, improve kitchen facilities, create toilet facilities for the disabled and expand the facilities for group meetings and leisure activities. This required internal alterations to the community hall, improvement of access via an internal corridor and renovation of the kitchen facility to meet new Health and Safety regulations.

The overall project cost was in the region of £30,000. SWEET were able to procure a £3,000 from the Pennon Environmental Fund to contribute towards the kitchen works.

All Saints Church, Rackenford, Tiverton, Devon

Interior redecoration of Grade 1 listed church. The church interior was in a poor state of repair, with decaying plaster and flaking paint. Worse still, plastic emulsion had been used in the past a most inappropriate finish for such a building. The decayed plaster needed be removed and renewed and the walls finished with limewash.

Fundraising for this project was made especially challenging owing to the very small local population. SWEET were able to help by obtaining a grant of £3,000 from the Pennon Environmental Fund to contribute towards the £14,000 project cost. This was completed in November 2006

Kingskerswell Manor House, Newton Abbott, Devon

SWEET have been involved with this long-running project since 2000, when LCF funds were obtained from local landfill operator John Craxford Plant Hire. Monies have been used for construction of  an access road, site clearance, fencing, archaeological investigations, wall stabilisation, landscaping, signage and information boards.

A £5,000 grant provided by Devon Waste Management has recently been used to contribute towards the £45,000 installation of a new heating system in this Grade 1 listed building. This has allowed the building to be comfortable all year round and suitable for use by the village for social events and gatherings as well as services.