RESIDENTS turned out in force to decide which community groups in Bury South would win thousands of pounds for local projects.

Thirty-one groups pitched for a share of funding, each delivering a presentation on how their scheme would support their communities.

The event, held at the Longfield Suite in Prestwich, was the second of two events called The Pitch following a similar exercise in Bury North.

Following the presentations, residents voted for 16 local community groups to share a community fund of nearly £15,000.

The successful projects were:

Big Knit’s Knitting For The Community — £1,000

The FED Community Cafe, providing a warm welcoming place where vulnerable lonely older people can meet friends — £1,000

Prestwich Community Cinema’s Classic Cinema Club — £900

Back to Netball Bury’s Winter Netball Provision — £856.18

The Rotary Club’s The Family Crisis Fund — £850

Bury People First’s Safe and Healthy Lifestyles — £970

Hollins Conservation Group’s stiles and path renewal in Hollins LNR £1,000

Radcliffe Boys and Girls Club — £1,000RE

Early Break’s Wellbeing Fund — £1,000

Making Space’s Death Cafe — £960

Making Space’s Bury Dementia Service — £990

St. Andrew’s Church, Hillock’s St Andrew’s House Community Project — £1,000

Chapelfield TRA’s Growing Together project — £950

The Woodies’ Men in Sheds — £350

Special Olympics Bury’s Break into Boccia — £998.56

Wellspring House’s Art for Wellbeing project — £1,000

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, cabinet member for communities and safer neighbourhoods, said: “The Bury South event had a record turnout of more than 200 people, with local residents allocating money for local people – truly democracy in action.

“All the ‘pitches’ were excellent, and we look forward to hearing about how the successful pitches come to fruition and wish everyone involved the best of luck in their activities.”

You can follow the progress of each project via their dedicated project page at www.theburydirectory.co.uk/thepitch. For further information, call neighbourhood engagement coordinator Ruth Shedwick on 0161 253 5327.

Community groups can keep up to date on further Community Fund opportunities via www.theburydirectory.co.uk/funding