The villages of Harrold, Odell and Renhold will benefit from over £30,000 for community projects as part of Bedford Borough Council’s Rural Grants scheme.
The scheme is set up to allow rural organisations and Parish Councils to apply for capital funding to help them deliver projects that are of benefit to residents in their areas.
All Saint’s Church in Renhold is the recipient of the largest grant of £25,000 to improve accessibility and safety. The funding will help with the cost of replacing the church’s floor, which is described as uneven and hazardous, making the church more accessible for visitors with mobility issues.
The congregation and wider Renhold community use the church to attend services as well as holding local events and activities.
A further grant of £3,085.42 is being awarded to Odell Parish Council, which will go towards diverting two existing public footpaths.
The footpaths currently run diagonally across fields that can be difficult and dangerous to navigate in the autumn and winter months. The funding will be used to move the public footpaths to the perimeter of the field, creating a safer and more pleasant route for walkers.
Harrold Parish Council received a grant £3,000 to repair the lych gate at St. Peter’s Church on Church Walk.
Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford Borough, said: “The Rural Grants scheme empowers communities to take action and make changes that are meaningful and valuable to them.
“We’re delighted to be providing this funding to Renhold, Odell and Harrold and look forward to seeing the difference it makes. If you think your rural community could benefit from a grant, be sure to make an application to the fund.”
