West Projects

ITV West transmits to people living in towns and villages across much of Somerset, Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

Over the past five years of the People’s Millions competition we have seen some great projects in the region. Previous winners include projects to rebuild a scout hut, extend a village hall, create play parks and many more besides.

Penhill Park- Muga

This project is to provide a multi use games area on a derelict plot of land in the community park.

Shaftesbury Community Swimming Pool

The project is to install a semi-permanent cover for the local outdoor swimming pool. This will extend the season and support a wider range of users.

Minety Village Hall - Community First

The project will regenerate the village hall as this will soon be the only public amenity in the community. The project will also improve access for people with disabilities and encourage increased participation.

White Lion Park

The project will upgrade a recreation area to provide a range of facilities for people of all ages from the local community. The project would provide new equipment for children to play on, landscaping and tree planting.

Reclaim our river

The project will clean up an area of river in Marlborough. The riverbanks will be replanted and rubbish will be taken away so that local people can use the area for recreation. The improvements will also encourage more wildlife to the area and reduce the rat population.

Albany Green and Play Area Regeneration

The project will rejuvenate a community green space and children's play area in an urban area of Bristol. The project also aims to improve community cohesion through involving local residents in improving the site, which is currently subject to vandalism, graffiti and fly-tipping.

Mireystock Heritage Project

The project will re-open a disused historical Victorian tunnel for use as an access for pedestrians and cyclists who currently have to cross a busy road. A structural survey will be undertaken to determine the viability of the project first.

Restoration of Castle House Gardens

The project will clear an overgrown area of the gardens allowing full, safe access for the whole community. A hard standing area will be restored for outdoor concerts, fixtures and fittings for seating will be included and a picnic and barbeque area will be created. The project is expected to benefit the whole community of 13,000 inhabitants.

Wildlife on the Edge

The project is to improve the lake area at Yeovil Country Park, to encourage wildlife such as water fowl and native species of animals and plants. The Council will create a no-dogs zone to protect wild life, and create access for people with disabilities. Information about the wildlife and plant species will be provided for the users of the park. The number of beneficiaries is estimated at 60,000.

Community Involvement Project

The project will refurbish and upgrade the existing club. It will create an environment that is accessible to everyone by providing disabled ramps throughout the building, upgrading the kitchen, converting the garage into an office and equipment store, refurbishing the decking area and lounge and creating wind and weather protection for the veranda. The project will benefit 650 people.

The Waterways Trust - Brimscombe Portwalls

The project will restore the walls of an eighteenth century port in the Cotswolds. The port played a major role in the industrial heritage of the area. The project will be carried out by volunteers from local disadvantaged groups who will be trained in heritage construction. Improvements will be made to the access of the site and community artists will be commissioned to provide installations that will enhance the project. There will be an estimated 200 beneficiaries.

School Road Park Project

The proposed project will develop a local park to feature new play equipment for children, new seating and picnic areas and wildlife friendly improvements. The project will take place with support from Avon Wildlife Trust, local schools, children's clubs and playgroups. The aim will be to provide a challenging play space to develop creativity and imagination. There will be an estimated 1,000 beneficiaries.

Land Drainage Scheme

The project will enhance the facilities at The Ridings Sports Association in Chipping Sodbury, in particular the practice area used by rugby and football clubs of both genders and all age groups. The aim of the project is to improve the quality of one of the large fields which is currently under-used due to the difficulties caused by poor weather. A comprehensive land drainage scheme will address the problem and make the area usable all year round. It will also provide an arena for other community groups who use it for fundraising events and regional sporting competitions. The project will benefit an estimated 1,300 residents.

Othery Village Hall

This project is to extend the existing village hall in Othery to create a more accessible community facility for local residents and groups. The extension will allow for more storage space and will also include the provision of fully accessible toilets, baby-changing facilities and the installation of an up-to-date heating system. As the focus for a wider range of social and recreational activities, the improved hall will enhance the quality of village life and encourage greater involvement from residents.

Rosemary's Garden

The project will develop a piece of land adjacent to the Nursery School, in order to create a garden which will contain sensory learning and play equipment, and incorporate a community allotment for the use of children, their families and local residents. Activities will include story-telling, cookery sessions using produce grown in the garden, arts and cultural events and planting flowers for window-boxes in the nearby flats. The project will reinvigorate an under-used resource and encourage the involvement of local people through volunteering. It will also bring people of different nationalities together and promote a tolerance and understanding of diverse lifestyles.

River Tone Community Trip Boat

The project will provide a solar powered boat, which will be managed and run by Somerset Waterways Development Trust volunteers. The boat will be based in Taunton and will provide boat trip services for the public on the River Tone and the Bridgewater Canal. The silent running boat will have a capacity of 12 passengers and will be accessible to all. It will provide an innovative and sustainable way to access the river environment with minimum disturbance to the native flora and fauna. The service will use existing slipways and moorings. The project will benefit from the involvement of volunteers who will be trained to run the services. The project will benefit 6000 people.

Scout Hut Development

The project will replace one of the halls that makes up the premises, which is old, out of date and increasingly unsafe for people to use. The new facility will enable the group to offer a wider range of social, recreational and sporting activities for young people and their families. The larger space will also give the group an opportunity to build on current success in involving the local community in its provision, and volunteer participation will be a key aspect of the project.

Emersons Green Youth Group Memorial Park

The project will rebuild the existing skate park with the installation of compleatly new concrete facilities to accommodate urban sports such as BMX riding, rollerblading and skateboarding. It will also have a legal graffiti wall for artists or anyone that wants to try it out. The new amenities will offer a safe environment where local young people can socialise and take part in constructive activities. The skate park improvements have been identified and designed by young people themselves, and the new facilities will encourage increased community usage. This park will also be a memorial to Jamie Clapp who passed away in a plane crash 2 years ago, he was a local to Emersons Green. This meens SO much to all the people that knew him. MAKE OUR KIDS DREAM COME TRUE!! PLEASE

Community Climbing

The project will install a climbing wall at Writhlington Sports Centre in one of their two sports halls. This will cater for the needs of the local community and its surrounding rural areas. Beneficiaries will include all the children in their federation of schools, including two secondary and 13 primary and special schools. Local learning disability groups also regularly use their sports facilities and would extend their activities to include the climbing wall. The wall will be used after school and as part of their holiday activity clubs and summer school programme. It will also be used by the local CCF contingent and they plan to offer leadership courses, in particular to those who are unemployed or disadvantaged. Activities will be based around developing physical fitness, building confidence, esteem and leadership skills and making exercise enjoyable.

Snuff Mills restoration project

Snuff Mills is a wonderful wooded valley next to the River Frome just four miles from the middle Bristol. It's a fantastic place where people can get closer to nature and enjoy a healthy walk but it needs a bit of tender, loving care. The Snuff Mills restoration project will: Involve local children so they can make and put up nest boxes and grow oak trees from acorns to make the valley better for wildlife Restore the old garden near the entrance so even people who can't walk far can enjoy fragrant, colourful flowers Organise events, like a Diwali fesitival of light, Easter treasure hunts, photographic competition and dog show so everyone has a reason to visit Snuff Mills Replace worn out paths so wheelchair users and families with pushchairs can get around the valley Collect stories about the valley from older people and involve children in making a DVD about the valley Improve access to the toilets because many people with special needs can't use them We know our community can do this. The old Snuff Mill was restored by local people in the 1980s, now we want to make the whole valley a place that people will find a pleasurable and safe place to visit, so please vote for Snuff Mills on Tuesday 24th November.

Routes to Renewal

Bridgwater Arts Centre is a community Arts Centre, dedicated to creating opportunities for people of all ages to get involved in the arts – by taking part as well as watching! In addition we aim to develop and support the work of professional performing and visual artists working in the region. "Routes to Renewal" will make long-overdue improvements possible to the interior of our Grade 1 Listed premises. This will include redecorating the theatre, improving backstage facilities and installing showers for performers, and re-organizing storage areas to maximise office space. We will purchase appliances to improve the amenities and also reduce energy costs by replacing our antiquated gallery spotlights. The upgraded facilities will enhance the visiting experience for both artists and audiences, as well as improving conditions for staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to keep the venue thriving! Please vote for us, and help to make Bridgwater Arts Centre a more attractive and efficient place to visit.