RESIDENTS in Gorefield have two very good reasons to be cheerful this week - their pavilion fund has been boosted by more than £40,000 and TV presenter Jake Humphrey has agreed to formally open the new building this summer.

Cambs Times: Cllr Michael HumphreyCllr Michael Humphrey (Image: Archant)

ake - a former BBC Formula 1 presenter - is the nephew of parish council chairman Councillor Michael Humphrey, who has worked tirelessly to secure the new facility for the village.

The latest grant of £40,079 was awarded to Gorefield Parish Council by WREN, and after receiving the funding news, Cllr Humphrey said: ““To get this grant is excellent news and will provide the parish council with the financial resources it needs to complete the project, both on time, and to the desired standard.”

Last summer the council secured a £50,000 Olympic legacy grant from the Inspired Facilities Fund for the project; and in May of last year Cllr Humphrey added another £1,000 to the coffers, money that was donated at his surprise 60th birthday party.

The project to provide new facilities started back in 1991, and a group raised in excess of £60,000 before they disbanded in 2009 and the parish council took over the plan.

The new £235,00 community hall and sports pavilion on the village playing field will include a multi-use hall, changing facilities, toilets, a kitchen and bar, a foyer and storage space.

WREN administers the Landfill Communities Fund of FCC Environment, who operate a number of landfill sites across Cambridgeshire and the UK and look to improve community life by enhancing existing facilities as well as creating new facilities.

Sarah Gosling, WREN Grant Manager for Cambridgeshire, said: “In 2012 we were able to support 15 communities across Cambridgeshire, for anything from outdoor exercise gym equipment, to a replacement village hall roof.

“ Funding is still available, and could be even more valuable to some community projects, as WREN will now consider applications up to £75,000 in some circumstances.”

The next application deadline for the county is May 8th 2013. Organisations and community groups requiring funding for community projects should visit www.wren.org.uk or contact WREN on 01953 717165 to ensure their project is eligible, before submitting an application.