Leader Lite

Leader+ is a six year European Community initiative to help rural communities improve the quality of life and economic prosperity in their area through innovative projects. The money comes from a European fund and is managed out by Defra and at a regional level by the Government of the South-East.

As well as the main funding programme, Leader+ also runs a simplified, stripped down scheme for projects that are looking for funding under £3000 - Leader Lite. Each project that receives funding has been adjudged to satisfy a range of criteria and provide real benefits for communities in the Leader+ area.

To find out more about projects on the Island contact Carol Flux, Leader+ Development Officer at the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership on (01983) 535836, or email at carol.flux@iwep.com

The projects that have received Leader Lite funding on the Isle of Wight are:

• Baggage Transfer Scheme
• Brading Community Partnership Welcome Pack
• Brighstone School Swimming Pool Maintenance
• Camera/Telescope (Bird Observation Hide)
• Chale Kite Flyers
• FLT Driver Training
• Family Support
• Friends of Chale School
• Friends of Wroxall School
• Godshill & Rookley Scout Group
• History on our Doorstep
• HSE Training for Agricultural Workers
• IW Hedgelaying Group
• IW Natural History & Archaeology Society
• IW Popular Flying Association Strut
• IW Tourism Assessment Scheme
• IW Visitor Attractions & Accommodation Association Leaflet
• IWCAB Home Visiting Service
• LIFT
• Mallyshag Carnival Costume
• Mill Trail
• Mobile Youth Initiatives
• Nameplate Signs
• Night Vision
• Ningwood Village Design Statement
• Rookley Skateboard Park
• Seely Hall Management Committee
• Shalfleet Church Hedge
• Solar and Wind Feasibility Study
• Street Art
• Testing of Electric Vehicles
• Transport Booklet – Niton/Whitwell
• Transport Booklet – West Wight
• Vectis Arms
• Vectis Response Blocks
• Vectis Searchers Metal Detecting Club Gazebo
• Wellow Display Boards
• Wellow Welcome Pack
• Whitwell Women’s Institute Cushions
• Yar Estuary Monitoring

Baggage Transfer Scheme

This project is designed to allow cyclists and long distance walkers to enjoy the Island without having to worry about getting their luggage about. This will enhance the Island’s growing reputation as an ideal destination for outdoor, activity and short breaks.

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Brading Community Partnership Welcome Pack

This project is to produce a Welcome Pack for all new residents in Brading that can also be used for existing residents and tourists. It will be distributed by local volunteers as well as Housing Associations and the Post Office.

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Brighstone School Swimming Pool Maintenance

The community as a whole will benefit from this project that provides a new liner and increased filtration system along with professional maintenance to the school swimming pool.

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Camera/Telescope (Bird Observation Hide)

This project provides the funding for a mounted camera and telescope in the main bird observation hide at Newtown National Nature Reserve. The hide attracts around 5000 visitors a year who will all benefit greatly from the equipment, it will also mean that a wider audience can use the facilities.

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Chale Kite Flyers

The Island last had an organised kiting event in the mid 1990’s. Now it does again. The Chale Kite Flyers sought funding to organise and hold an event in Chale on the 5th and 6th of July 2003.

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FLT Driver Training

Previous to this project the Island did not have a licensed fork-lift truck instructor/examiner. By sending someone to attend the 16 day course this was addressed, meaning that those interested can more easily find the training they need.

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Family Support

Unable to continue using the classroom at Carisbrooke Primary School as numbers attending the school have risen, Families First was able to secure a mobile building to use in the grounds instead. Funding was given to allow for the purchase of furniture that could be used in the new building, maximising space and allowing for a number of different activities.

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Friends of Chale School

Chale School recognised that it ran a limited number of clubs (after school etc) and sought funding to increase this. An 18 month pilot scheme was proposed after consultation and Leader+ funding has been granted to make sure it is possible.

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Friends of Wroxall School

This Family Learning/ ICT project enables parents/grandparents to work with their children on ICT school work linked to numeracy and literacy. It also enables them to improve their own skills. Eventually this will be opened up to the wider community.

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Godshill & Rookley Scout Group

Funding was required to re-equip the kitchen and increase the storage capacity of the Scout Hut, as well as to provide a suitable area for crèche facilities and a new nature room. Leader+ funding was needed as part of a wider package to improve the facilities and make it accessible to the wider community.

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History on our Doorstep

Several linked projects for the community to record the history of Brading including:

• Electronically recording all Brading’s historic documents
• Create an audio-visual trail of Brading
• Create an audio record of the memories of the older generation
• Professional presentations to inform Brading residents of specific events and projects

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HSE Training for Agricultural Workers

In collaboration with the Health and Safety Executive and the National Farmers Union, the IW College have put together a proposal to provide on-going training for agricultural workers who will gain vital skills for their work environment.

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IW Hedgelaying Group

The Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition offers people the opportunity to experience first-hand a traditional craft and also for hedgelayers to pit their wits and muscle against each other for a coveted trophy and a small, but no less coveted, prize!

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IW Natural History & Archaeology Society

This project sought the final piece of funding for the publication of a book – ‘The Isle of Wight Flora’. The book details all of the wildflowers, mosses, trees etc found growing on the Island. There are also chapters on geology, plant fossil records, botanists of the past, climate and weather.

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IW Popular Flying Association Strut

Despite its title this is not a course to show young flyers how to look groovy when they walk. It takes under-privileged children between seven and sixteen on an hour-long flight programme including a briefing, a half-hour flight and a de-briefing afterwards.

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IW Tourism Assessment Scheme

Funding was sought to pilot an assessment scheme for Eating Out establishments, carried out independently and anonymously, to take into account issues such as quality, use of local produce and any environmental initiatives taken by the business. This is to highlight good practise in Island tourism businesses.

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IW Visitor Attractions & Accommodation Association Leaflet

This project sees the production of a leaflet titled ‘Treat Yourself to a Carefree, Car-Free Day Out in West Wight’. This is distributed on the mainland to highlight the benefits of a day out in the West Wight area.

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IWCAB Home Visiting Service

Through injury or disability, some people are unable to access current independent advice provision. This project aims to aid these people in their homes, making sure that they get the right advice at the right time.

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LIFT

The aim of this project is to facilitate the West Wight community in identifying transport problems in their area and then proposing a solution. This will all be done in conjunction with the IW Council’s Rural Transport Partnership Officer.

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Mallyshag Carnival Costume

The idea of this project was to create a wearable, performing Mallyshag (Island dialect for a caterpillar or centipede) at Shalfleet Primary school, working mainly with the school children on an after-school basis. The Mallyshag will then be used at carnivals across the Island.

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Mill Trail

This is the next part of a wider scheme in Restoring Newport’s Rivers. The Mill Trail project sought funding to produce a design guide and a feasibility guide for a Mill Trail incorporating the water mills south and west of Newport.

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Mobile Youth Initiatives

This project works with disaffected young people either involved with criminal activity or on the verge of committing or exclusion. It consists of a range of Summer activities for disaffected 13-19 year olds including sports, camping and visits to places like Prisons.

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Nameplate Signs

This project saw the purchase of a Nameplate Sign for Gatcombe – giving a sense of place that will be appreciated by residents and visitors alike.

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Night Vision

Members of the public are invited to selected sites to observe night wildlife - using bat detectors, night vision equipment and bat sound software. Leader+ funding paid for the purchase of the equipment.

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Ningwood Village Design Statement

Funding was sought in order to produce, print and distribute the Village design statement for Ningwood which encompasses location, history, settlement pattern, buildings, environment and highways.

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Rookley Skateboard Park

Four lads chastised for skating in the village set about securing funding for a designated Skateboard area, starting with a sponsored walk. Rookley Village Partnership were persuaded by their efforts and this project was born.

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Seely Hall Management Committee (Community Planning)

As part of the Brighstone Parish Plan, and with advice from the RCC, the Seely Hall Management Committee sought funding to hold a ‘Planning for Real’ © consultation exercise for Brook Village on October 18th 2003 to plan the village’s future.

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Shalfleet Church Hedge

For Make-a-Difference day (25th October 2003) this project sought funding for the re-laying of hedging at Shalfleet Church by a group of volunteers.

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Solar and Wind Feasibility Study

West Wight Sports Centre has a stated aim of becoming a ‘green’ business. This project employed a consultant to carry out a feasibility study into the use of solar, photo-voltaic and wind energy.

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Street Art

This project involved the recruitment and training of a group of West Wight 14-24 year olds to create a graffiti-style art form that is displayed at the West Wight Sports Centre in Freshwater.

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Testing of Electric Vehicles

As part of the RCC’s Sustainable Travel to Work project, funding was sought to test the appropriateness of modern electric vehicles as a sustainable method of transport to access employment, undertake business travel and to make journeys to other key facilities.

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Transport Booklet – Niton/Whitwell

This project was designed to increase the usage of local public transport through improving awareness of the services available to the communities of Niton and Whitwell. This is to be done by producing a comprehensive booklet providing in-depth information on buses, taxis and other community transport options.

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Transport Booklet – West Wight

This project was designed to increase the usage of local public transport through improving awareness of the services available to the west Wight community. This is to be done by producing a comprehensive booklet providing in-depth information on buses, taxis and other community transport options.

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Vectis Arms

This project was for a range of equipment that would make it possible to employ two extra people in this small, but fascinating, business that forges metal-works for use in medieval battle re-enactments.

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Vectis Response Blocks

This is a system designed to improve interpersonal communication in groups through a low-tech colour-coded signalling system. Community groups in the Leader+ area will be able to use this service at no charge.

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Vectis Searchers Metal Detecting Club Gazebo

This project funded the purchase of a new free-standing gazebo to use for the display of the club’s exhibits and to promote its activities. This will be used at a series of events throughout the year to encourage new members and involvement in the club from the wider community.

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Wellow Display Boards

The aim of this project is to increase awareness and participation in community events through the use of mobile display boards that will be used primarily at Wellow Institute, Wellow Millenium Green and Wellow Baptist Church as well as be available for other groups to use in the area.

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Wellow Welcome Pack

This project sees the production of a Welcome Pack for residents and visitors to Wellow, outlining local transport information, history, local service, activities, local attractions and more.

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Whitwell Women’s Institute Cushions

The chairs at Village Halls are notorious for being uncomfortable – and Whitwell is no different! The Whitwell Women’s Institute, along with other volunteers, are working to change that by making 50 cushions for the bottoms of Whitwell to relax on.

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Yar Estuary Monitoring

The aim of this project is to gain a greater understanding of the saltmarsh habitat and any changes that are occurring on it. This is done by setting up a saltmarsh monitoring scheme on the Western Yar estuary between Yarmouth and Freshwater.

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