FOREST community organisations are among 237 groups across the South West who learned this week that they had landed grants to celebrate the millennium.
Among them are the Forest of Dean Local History Society, which has been granted £1,990 to create a database of historic sites, and May Hill Village Hall which gains the top award of £5,000 to replace its windows.
The awards, from the Millennium Festival Awards for All scheme which distributes National Lottery funds, are among the first to be announced and more are expected soon. They will back a huge variety of arts, charity, sports and heritage activities.
Other awards are £1,380 to Lydney Hockey Club to extend their facilities for young people, £2,567 to Huntley Playgroup to replace worn-out equipment, and £3,400 to the Green Bottom Residents' Association to carry out environmental improvements including restoration of a watercourse and two ponds.
Oxenhall Parish Hall Trust gets £3,496 to update furniture and facilities, £4,090 goes to the Ruardean Hill Play Area Committee for resurfacing and other improvements, and £4,159 will help Cinderford's Family Link Rooms to update facilities.
Culture Secretary Chris Smith said: "I am delighted to announce the grants for community groups across England. These awards will give local communities a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the millennium in their own village or town."
The funding programme aims to support projects that will make a difference to a community or provide a long term benefit. Applications will be accepted any time until June 2000 – for an application pack call 0845 600 2040.