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.

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.