Penzance Council has awarded over £20,000 in grant funding to five local community organisations over the summer.

Across two council meetings on July 15 and August 19 at St John’s Hall, it was decided that £24,789 would be divided.

The beneficiaries include Paul Cricket Club, Growing Links CIC, St Piran in Penwith, Gulval Village Community Association, and MusicAbility CIC.

Paul Cricket Club has been awarded £10,000 and will channel the funding towards the replacement of their practice nets, which have bravely weathered a quarter of a century of use and are no longer safe.

The new nets are expected to present a secure and safe practice environment for players, with plans underway to extend net use to local schools and ad hoc group sessions.

Sharon Dee, hon secretary for Paul Cricket Club, said: "We are extremely grateful to Penzance Council for their generous grant, which will benefit the whole community.

"We have needed to replace our practice facilities for some time and have carried out various fund-raising activities.

"This grant now gives us the necessary funds to allow us to start work as soon as this season ends.

"Exciting times for Paul Cricket Club thanks to Penzance Council!"

(Image: Penzance Council)

Growing Links CIC is preparing to use their £8,313 grant towards the purchase of kitchen equipment for their Street Food Project.

The project will soon be relocated to the Safe & Well Hub at the former John Daniel Centre.

Lynne Dyer, director of Growing Links, said: "This funding will help us to purchase a commercial kitchen which will cook for those that need it but also provide vocational skills for our volunteers and beneficiaries in catering and self-care."

The remaining funds have been carefully distributed – St Piran in Penwith will utilise £2,956 for the St Piran flags, public liability insurance, the rent of St John’s Hall, and catering for the 2025 St Piran’s Day celebrations.

While Gulval Village Community Association, which was awarded £1,000, will cover the costs of replacing their existing defibrillator at The Coldstreamer Inn.

Finally, MusicAbility CIC will continue providing its weekly music therapy group for adults with learning difficulties in the local community thanks to a £2,520 grant.

Ruth Boulton, director and music therapist at MusicAbility CIC, said: "We are very pleased to be maintaining this weekly music therapy session in the heart of Penzance, particularly as it provides a confidential setting for personal expression and vital social communication.

"Using improvised music and sound to connect with emotions and with each other, group members are enabled to process and safely explore the spectrum of life’s challenges and highlights, supported by an experienced professional therapist.

"There is currently a space in this life-affirming group at MusicAbility Centre – and there’s no cost to join!”

For more information, email referrals@musicabilitycic.uk or call 01736 332861

Cllr Stephen Reynolds, mayor of Penzance, continued: "These latest grant awards reflect the wide range of community activities that are such a feature of life in the Penzance parish and provide so many benefits to local residents.

"By helping promote community participation in sport, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and championing our local culture and heritage, these awards align well with our own objectives as a council."

Find out more about how to apply for grants online by visiting www.penzance-tc.gov.uk/grants/.