GARDENERS, sports clubs and libraries are among the latest groups to win thousands of pounds of funding for their community projects.

Tottington and Bury West Rotary is one of 16 organisations in the Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor areas to receive a monetary boost in the latest round of Bury Council’s Pitch events.

The group’s ‘Whitehead Gardens project’ aims to revitalise the gardens, next to The Tottington Centre, along with pupils at Tottington Primary School and several other local groups.

At the event at Ramsbottom Pentecostal Church on Saturday, Tottington Wildlife Watch (TWIGS) were also awarded funding to develop a field near Kirklees Street so they can create facilities to encourage young people to take an interest in wildlife.

Ramsbottom Together were another group to receive a financial boost. They hope to use the money to organise this year’s Ramsbottom’s Great Get Together event.

Meanwhile, Walshaw Sports Club will now be able to extend their safety netting along Sycamore Road to prevent cricket balls causing damage to homes and vehicles. Another sports club to benefit were Ramsbottom Running Club who hope to launch a new junior section with weekly running sessions for 6-14 year olds, as well as training volunteers.

Another recipient at the event was the Friends of Hazelhurst Primary School group, who won funding for a sensory garden initiative.

Greenmount Village Community also found success with their bid for funding to buy waymarkers for the West Pennine Way.

Other beneficiaries were Bury2gether, Bury Volunteer Rangers Service, who want to bring Hollymount Orchard back to life, and Bury Tandem Club for Blind and Partially Sighted People.

Other winners included Greenmount Village Pre-school, who want to teach yoga and mindfulness classes; D:Caff: who want to print 10,000 copies of a dementia awareness booklet; Summerseat Village Community, who hope to install a defibrillator for community use; Tottington Public Band; and the Friends of Tottington Library group, who plan to build new toilets at The Tottington Centre.

Last but not least, Ramsbottom Pentecostal Church has received financial backing to introduce a sensory den for children with special needs and disabilities.

A further three Pitch events are scheduled to take place across Bury throughout June. They are: 

- Saturday, June 16, 11am, at Radcliffe United Reformed Church

- Saturday, June 23, 10.30am, at The Derby School, Radcliffe Road

- Saturday, June 30, 11am, at All Saints Church, Hebburn Drive, Bury