Herefordshire Council is urging community groups in the Leominster area to take advantage of additional funding for the community pride scheme.

The scheme has an additional £5,000 to award, extending the scheme for a further nine months. Grants will be awarded on a first come basis so people are urged to apply quickly before the cash runs out.

Community groups in the Leominster area can apply for grants of up to £750 from the Market Towns Initiative Programme via Advantage West Midlands and the Leominster Area Regeneration Partnership.

The Leominster area community pride scheme offers grants for community projects to purchase items of equipment to improve the services provided by the group, or to enhance the area or provide an attraction.

To date the scheme has awarded grants to 43 projects ranging from publicity banners for the Victorian Fair, a projector for the training room at Leominster Age Concern, health and safety equipment for the Leominster Medieval Fair, radios for Leominster St Johns Ambulance, play equipment for children’s clubs and youth groups, litter bins, notice boards, seating, planters and hanging baskets, equipment and curtains for village halls, and mowers and floodlights for bowling clubs.

To be eligible to apply for funding, groups must have a written constitution and be based in the Leominster Regeneration Area. The project must include the purchase of a capital item and demonstrate value for money. A maximum of £750 can be applied for or 75 per cent of the total project costs, whichever is the lesser.

The scheme ends at the end of December 2008 and all grants offered must be claimed by January 2009. Applications will be considered on a first come basis and funding is limited. All applications must be received by October 2008 to be considered.

For further information and guidance please contact Cathy Arthurs from Herefordshire Council’s delegated grants and programmes team on 01432 260753.

Richard North, principal of Minster College, in Leominster, has announced that he is to leave the school in August after eight and a half happy and successful years.

He started as deputy at Christmas 1989 and took over as principal in 2004. During this time the college has positively moved forward with two successful Ofsted inspections, a flourishing specialist sports college, improved results and now has a brand new building about to be constructed.

Richard said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my role at the Minster College over the years and valued the relationships with many talented staff, students and the wider community. I look forward to hearing about future successes as the College moved on into its new buildings."

Brig Peter Jones, chairman of governors, said: "We will be disappointed to lose Richard. We owe him thanks for vast improvements made in school, and for his dedication and hard work. We wish him all the best for his new school."

Richard North will start as the new head teacher at Wolverley CE Secondary School, Kidderminster, in Worcestershire in September.