FOUR community groups are celebrating after receiving funding for special projects.

Wilmslow Town Council has awarded grants worth £5,500 to help people develop their artistic skills and improve the town’s environment.

Wilmslow Art Under One Roof received a community grant of £1,652 for an exhibition which was held at the weekend in Wilmslow United Reform Church.

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Ceramics, jewellery, paintings, photography, pottery and a selection of other arts and crafts created by local artists and makers across the north west were on display.

The funding was used towards the venue hire and promotion.

A new Green Community Fund, a grant scheme introduced last year for projects that promote sustainable spaces, biodiversity conservation and ‘greening’ the town supported three other projects.

River Street Residents’ Association was given £1,150 to buy sustainable nectar-rich planting to create biodiverse planters along River Street to support wildlife.

Knutsford Guardian: River Street Residents Association is presented with £1,150 from Cllr Frank McCarthy, chairman of Wilmslow Town CouncilRiver Street Residents Association is presented with £1,150 from Cllr Frank McCarthy, chairman of Wilmslow Town Council (Image: Wilmslow Town Council)

Friends of The Carrs received £720 for their wildflower planting scheme. This voluntary organisation strives to make the Carrs a safe, friendly place for all age groups to enjoy.

Volunteers work together to create a place for recreation and leisure and undertake maintenance and environmental schemes to benefit the local community and visitors to the park.

Knutsford Guardian: Friends of the Carrs receive a £2,000 grant from Cllr Frank McCarthy, chairman of Wilmslow Town CouncilFriends of the Carrs receive a £2,000 grant from Cllr Frank McCarthy, chairman of Wilmslow Town Council (Image: Wilmslow Town Council)

The money will fund wildflower plug plants to improve the biodiversity of the park.

Mersey Rivers Trust has been granted £2,000 towards its Carrs Wetland project, a a crowdfunding project to restore and create wetland areas in the Carrs Park.

The trust is the leading partner for the management of the water environment for the River Bollin, as well as being the host of the Bollin Environmental Action and Conservation Steering Group (Beacon).

Within Wilmslow, the trust supports the coordination and delivery of volunteer work parties for both Beacon and the Friends of the Carrs.

Knutsford Guardian: Mersey Rivers Trust receives a grant of £2,000 from Cllr Frank McCarthy, chairman of Wilmslow Town CouncilMersey Rivers Trust receives a grant of £2,000 from Cllr Frank McCarthy, chairman of Wilmslow Town Council (Image: Wilmslow Town Council)

Their wetland project has been devised following the recommendations made in ‘The Carrs Landscape Development Package’, published by Cheshire East Council.

The grant will be used to buy reeds, seeds and plug plants to enhance the wetland area.

Cllr Frank McCarthy, chairman of Wilmslow Town Council, said: “We are delighted to use our Green Community Fund to support three voluntary groups who are working to promote the natural environment, in addition to the Art Under one Roof exhibition, which is always an enjoyable community event that promotes local artists.”