Local sports clubs, a community centre and village groups across South Cambridgeshire are set to benefit from more than £7,000 in fresh council funding aimed at strengthening community life and supporting wellbeing initiatives.
The latest round of the South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Community Chest grants has distributed £7,160 to five local organisations, part of a wider £80,000 budget set aside for 2025–26. The grants back grassroots projects that bring residents together, enhance facilities, and deliver long-term benefits across the district.
Among the recipients is The Over Day Centre Association, which will receive £1,708 to install four electric garden awnings. The upgrade will provide shade in summer and shelter from rain, allowing the centre’s 48 elderly clients—who come from 17 surrounding villages—to enjoy the accessible garden year-round. The centre serves as a lifeline for older residents, offering activities, outings and a warm, sociable environment.
In Gamlingay, Gamlingay Leisure (Community Gym and MUGA) has been awarded £1,333 to purchase new gym equipment, including yoga mats, a fitness bench, and specialist bars. The investment will help the charity expand its women-only sessions and continue supporting local fitness and health programmes for its 155 members.
Meanwhile, Fen Drayton Bowls Club will use its £1,920 grant to trim overgrown hedging and install rabbit-proof fencing around the bowling green. Rabbits have caused repeated surface damage, forcing members to make quick fixes before matches. The project aims to improve play conditions, protect local biodiversity, and maintain the green for league competitions and social matches.
The Hardwick Climate Action Group (HCAG) is receiving £199 to buy all-weather speakers for community events, including next year’s Hardwick and Dry Drayton Eco Event, a sustainability fair run with local churches.
Finally, Ickleton Cricket Club has secured £2,000 towards the cost of a new two-lane, all-weather cricket training net at the village recreation ground. The facility will be open to all residents and will support the club’s growing youth and women’s cricket programmes. A dedicated girls’ team is expected to launch in 2026. The new nets are also expected to benefit wider community life, including local fundraising events and nearby facilities like the village hall and pub.
Cllr John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Resources at South Cambridgeshire District Council, said:
“It’s amazing to see such a wide range of local initiatives being supported through the Community Chest fund. From caring for older residents and encouraging grassroots sport to promoting sustainability and tackling climate change, these projects show the incredible dedication of local volunteers and groups. We are proud to invest in them and see the lasting difference they will make to our villages and communities.”
The Community Chest fund is open to voluntary groups, charities and public bodies across South Cambridgeshire looking to improve quality of life in their communities.