Penarth Pier Pavilion awarded £47,000 Armed Forces grant

The ‘Pavilion Bridge Project’ aims to forge a connection between former military personnel and the general public by holding workshops, exhibitions and volunteering programmes.

Penarth Arts and Crafts Ltd will receive a £47,600 Armed Forces Community Covenant Grant from the Ministry of Defence to run the project at the Penarth Pier Pavilion.

The Vale Council will be the grant recipient and will administer the payment of the grant on behalf of the MoD.

The funding will be used to support the ‘Pavilion Bridge Project’ in a number of ways, including to:

-provide workshops for those aged 11-18, ranging from arts education to environmental study days, providing opportunities for veterans and retired service people to volunteer.

- develop and promote the Dambuster walk which will educate and inform local residents and visitors about the contribution of Squadron 617 and the wider service community to our lifestyle.

- run an annual art exhibition that showcases the work of people affected by Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and other mental health issues.

The funding will also provide opportunities for veterans and retired service people to volunteer, purchase disability and teaching equipment and produce marketing and PR materials to generate further income.

The aim of the Community Covenant Grant Scheme is to financially support projects at the local level, which strengthens the ties or the mutual understanding between members of the Armed Forces Community and the wider community in which they live.

PACL had applied for a grant of £191,866, but as this was the last round of bidding under the current scheme, with the format changing post-April 2015, the Council was requested to confirm what could be delivered with a reduced level of grant funding i.e. 25 per cent and 50 per cent.

Support for the has been received from both the RAF and HIVE at St Athan, and the Vale Council Voluntary Services.