TWENTY groups have shared a £15,000 pot from the Forest of Dean District Council to support their work around the area.

The groups range from brass bands and village halls to groups working to support people and improve the environment.

The four largest grants – £2,000 each – went to

St Mary’s Church in Newent, the Cinderford-based Forest Community Church, Pillowell Village Hall and Pillowell Silver Band.

The Newent church is upgrading the kitchen so it can be used by more community groups.

The roof joists at Pillowell Village Hall are being replaced as part of the ongoing work to improve the building.

The silver band is buying new equipment and the grant will also allow it to continue its partnership working.

The community church will use the money to provide one-to-one support for people and families in crisis.

Lydney Training Band received £1,282 to install sound-proofing at its hall in Swan Road.

Chairman Kevin Ford explained: “We split the band into four groups. The band room is a room with a kitchen and storeroom and a corridor.

“What we needed the grant for was to sound-proof those rooms because when they’re young and you give them an instrument, a cornet, they make a heck of a row.

“Lovely though the row is, it needs deadening because it does mean you can’t hear anyone do anything in the other groups.”

The Dean Green Team was given £500 to buy equipment such as hard hats, rakes, saws and gloves.

The voluntary team has regular maintenance sessions at the Cyril Hart Arboretum at Speech House near Coleford where it is is currently clearing part of the tree canopy to allow more light to get through.

The Green Team also has a larger conservation group which works throughout the Forest.

The other grants were:

Hope Support Services: £1,000 to continue supporting young people with a close family member who has a life-threatening condition, Newent Dolphin Gateway Club: £500 to fund craft items and develop membership, Forest Bee: £1,800 to double the print run of the volunteer-led publication.

Lydney Community Centre: £483 to buy card tables and games equipment, Wednesday Club Causeway Club: £500 for transport to get people to and from the club. Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre: £2,000 for an underground tunnel network.

Ruspidge Memorial Hall: £1,250 for new equipment and materials, Ruardean Woodside Darby and Joan Club: £500 for activities.

Friends of Sedbury Park Care Home: £500 for ‘outreach’ sessions in the area, Forest Upcycling £1,300 to send three people on a garden machinery course, Newnham Allotments Association: £270 for water butts and compost bins.

Sling Youth Football Club: £500 for equipment for very young children, Forest Salvation Army: £1,980 for a support worker.