09 October 2006 00:00 Midlands parish councils offered chance to light up and shine this Christmas
Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is offering communities across the region the opportunity to apply for funding to sparkle this Christmas.
The company, which is part of E.ON UK, is inviting parish councils to apply for a grant from the £35,000 fund for new or replacement Christmas lights and decorations.
Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager, said: “It may seem a little early to start thinking about the festive season but we want to spread some seasonal cheer and help light up village greens across the Midlands this Christmas.
“Applying for funds is easy; parish councils simply have to fill in an application form and tell us why they need the cash.”
Central Networks has five £2,500 and five £1,000 grants to offer parish councils in the Midlands.
The money can be use to fund or partially fund new Christmas lights, decorations and trees, or can be used to replace or add to existing displays.
Applications forms are available on Central Networks’ website – www.central-networks.co.uk/christmaslights - or by calling 01332 393802. The deadline for requests is Friday 3 November 2006 with the winners finding out the good news a week after the closing date.
“When we launched the Christmas lights and decorations fund last year we never imagined how successful it would be. We received over 400 applications and gave away £25,000 in grants to 16 parish councils across the Midlands,” said Phil.
“This year we’ve got more money to give away and hope that parish councils come forward and apply for funds to help their communities sparkle and shine a little brighter at Christmas.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
Last year’s winners in the West Midlands were:
£2,500
Studley Parish Council Warwickshire
Woolaston Parish Council Gloucestershire
Pattingham and Patshull Parish Council South Staffordshire
Wyeside Parish Council Herefordshire
£1,000
Leigh Parish Council Staffordshire
Shepsherd Worcestershire
£250
Barlaston Parish Council Staffordshire
Kemble and Ewen Parish Council Gloucestershire
Last year’s winners in the East Midlands were:
£2,500
Shirebrook Town Council Derbyshire
Normanton on Soar Parish Council Leicestershire
Selston Parish Council Nottinghamshire
Rothwell Parish Council Northamptonshire
£1,000
Brant Broughton & Stagglethorpe Parish Council Lincolnshire
Melbourne Parish Council
£250
Linby Parish Council Nottinghamshire
Wigtoft Parish Council Lincolnshire
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.9 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
For further information contact:
Rebecca Middleton on 02476 183677
Ellie King on 02476 183678
Out of hours, call 024 7642 4000 and ask for the duty press officer