Hungerford Town Council (HTC) operates an annual scheme whereby grants are awarded to local organisations offering services to Hungerford residents.

Please see below a list of the organisations which have benefitted from this round of funding and a brief summary of what the grant will be used for. For more information on HTC’s grants, please see this section of HTC’s website or contact the Town Clerk, Claire Barnes, on claire.barnes@hungerford-tc.gov.uk.

The presentation ceremony took place on Saturday 7 September in the Croft Field Centre. “The Annual Grants Awards remains a firm favourite of mine,” Hungerford’s Mayor Helen Simpson said. “The number of deserving organisations and charities offering advice, encouragement and support to our community is humbling especially during recent economic times. On behalf of all the Councillors, we thank you wholeheartedly”.

(Later that day, another ceremony took place to celebrate the winners of Hungerford in Bloom 2024 who had beaten off stiff competition with their enviable gardens, outdoor spaces and courtyard gardens from the residential and commercial categories.)

For more information

Web links have been provided at the end of each listing if you want to find out more information about these organisations. All would welcome some combination of new members, volunteers, further funding and attendance at events.

Penny Post is in general happy to promote information about these or any not-for-profit, community and charitable organisations at no cost. Please contact brian@pennypost.org.uk.

The recipients

Arts for Hungerford – £250

Providing art events for people within Hungerford and the surrounding areas with music, films and introducing Arts Workshops, ten-week introductory basis in the afternoons and a more in-depth workshop in the evenings for five weeks.
• for more information, click here.

Bridge for Young People/Young People First – £350

Young People and Children First, known as Bridge for Young People, provides a safe, comfortable home, vital practical, emotional and social support to young care leavers and other young homeless people.
• for more information, click here.

Daisy’s Dream – £200

The charity provides vital support to children and young people in West Berkshire who have experienced bereavement or are preparing for loss. A dedicated team of therapeutic practitioners and family workers ensure that each family receive individually tailored support through the toughest of times. This helps them to communicate about their experiences, to develop coping strategies, to feel less isolated
• for more information, click here.

Eight Bells for Mental Health – £250

Eight Bells supports local people affected by mental health issues offering a twice-weekly drop-In centre in Newbury which offers a safe, to get advice, improve social skills, receive support and interact with other members, thus reducing their social isolation.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Allotment Holders Association – £100

HAHA organises the Hungerford Produce, Flower and Handicraft Show, which aims to encourage the youngsters of the town to get engaged in cultivation.
• for more information, click here.

Home-Start West Berkshire – £250

The charity wants to ensure that all families have access to the essential items needed to nurture and care for their babies and children, where no parent has to choose between buying nappies or putting food on the table
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Club – £300

The grant has helped with two projects: the maintenance of the bowling green and the annual service of mower . The Club offers a bowling green, four all-weather tennis courts and two full size snooker/billiards tables. The management and maintenance of the facilities is by volunteers. Both competitive and social opportunities to play are available.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Carnival – £400

A community project for all charities, schools and organisations to take part in an annual carnival (one of very few surviving in the UK) which gives the opportunity to showcase your organisations: you can walk or enter a float.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Food Community – £100

The HFC creates food, nutrition and cookery experiences in and around Hungerford, including community cook-ins and community meals and cookery lessons for young people, vulnerable adults and anyone interested in budget recipes. It encourages people to move to a diet that is good for the planet and minimises food waste. Monthly Sunday food and artisan markets in Hungerford to support local producers and help residents reduce their food miles.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Ladybugs Toddler Group – £100

The grant will be used for craft materials (mostly mooshy sand) and contributions to the cost of the Santa Cruise.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Tennis Club – £250

The grant will go towards the refurbishment of one of four tennis courts, laying the macadam surface and colour spraying the court.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Theatre Group ­ – £250

The grant will help fund the summer shows. The Theatre company operates in hired venues in Hungerford and the surrounding villages for rehearsals and production venues. Hire costs for performances includes setting up the venues for productions.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Town Band – £800

Hungerford Town Band is a local organisation that provides two bands (Senior and Training) for local engagements. Following the success at the National Finals last September where they came ninth out of 20 of the best UK bands in the third section, the aim is to increase numbers and training dates for band numbers which provides an opportunity for young or old to learn brass and play in an ensemble.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Town Football Club – £100

The grant will assist with increasing overheads and running costs to provide football for 250 children aged six to 16. Coaching development and training course, including running a referee course for all over 14 years players as well as the hire all-weather pitches for training session. Additionally the junior club house needs updating and refurbishment.
• for more information, click here.

John O’Gaunt School PSA’s Garden & Grow Project – £250

The grant will allow pupils to engage with nature to combat anxiety. Students will build self-esteem through the nurturing of plants, taking responsibility and develop team working skills. They will learn about wildlife and their habitats in the common British garden and enabling a link to many curriculum subjects. Students will work towards AQA Unit Awards and build a portfolio of AQA Unit Awards which could be used to support post-16 applications.
• for more information, click here.

Parkinsons UK – £100

The grant will contribute to the Making the Difference 2024 fund which will provide subsidised exercise therapies for people living with Parkinsons. Classes include voice therapy (singing, speech), yoga, dance, table tennis and balance exercises.
• for more information, click here.

Penny Post – £100

Penny Post CIC is a media platform that helps connect people in rural areas, promotes the work of charitable organisations, offers work experience for young people and skills training and volunteering opportunities for all ages, helping people of all ages gain confidence and employment.
• for more information, click here.

Recovery in Mind – £200

The charity’s reading care team supports families in Hungerford, filling the gaps between hospital, hospice and home and bring some much-needed comfort and joy to families lives during unimaginable hardship. This support helps families to make the most of their precious time remaining together.
• for more information, click here.

Swings and Smiles – £100

Swings & Smiles offers a place to play and support for disabled children and their families. Team Teach will equip play leaders with strategies of de-escalation, both verbal and non-verbal, for dealing with challenging behaviour. It teaches simple and safe positive handling techniques appropriate for a low-risk environment.
• for more information, click here.

The Tuesday Burchett Club – £350

With about 120 members, the Club raises funds for holidays, outings and breaks for the elderly and disabled.
• for more information, click here.

Time to Talk Counselling and Support for Young People – £100

The charity provides a free counselling service for young people aged 11 to 25 in West Berkshire, helping them deal with their specific challenges. The charity has invested in extra counselling sessions and technological efficiencies but as young people continue to struggle our service experiences additional strain on resources. Last year 74 young people accessed the service from the Hungerford Area, either being seen at JOG, Hungerford GP surgery, remotely or traveling to our offices in Newbury.
• for more information, click here.

CHAIN – £1,106

CHAIN provides transport for the elderly, sick and disabled in Hungerford and surrounding areas, enabling them to visit day centres, doctors’ surgeries, and keep necessary hospital appointments. Occasional trips of a vocational nature are also made together with weekly Handybus transport to a hydro-yherapy centre. CHAIN publishes and distributes quarterly, 2,900 free copies of the self-financing CHAIN MAIL magazine.
• for more information, click here.

ABC to Read – £50

The group provides literacy support to Hungerford, helping over 500 children every week across Berkshire facing challenges in reading. It has identified that additional support is needed in Hungerford. The grant will help with recruit, training and support a community volunteer to visit a local school twice a week providing 1:1 support to three children.
• for more information, click here.

Ellie Gudgeon – £200

A self -funded karate athlete from Hungerford who travels worldwide to compete in competitions, Ellie has won medals at international and national events including bronze at Commonwealth Games 2022. Looking for a contribution towards costs to help with entry fees, travel and yo attend training camps.
• for more information, click here.

Ben East – £200

Ben is a young athlete who has grown up in Hungerford. He is a UK javelin record holder and has represented England and Great Britain for several years. He is currently studying mechanical engineering at Loughborough University and has had his four-year degree extended to six so he can train alongside his studies. Ben is seeking sponsorship to help with the increasing expenses of travel, accommodation and ongoing costs of replacing and updating equipment. He would also put the money towards nutrition and physio sessions.
• for more information, click here.

George Gale – £100

Hungerford resident George has been accepted into both Hartpury and the city of Oxford College and into both rugby Academies playing in the ACEs league. George has lived in Hungerford all his life and attended both the Primary School and the John O’Gaunt. He has played rugby for Hungerford rugby club and was part of the London Irish player development program before the club’s demise  The grant will help towards kit, rugby boots, accommodation and healthy food.

Hungerford Twinning Association – £200

The Twinning Association (which will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2025) ensures the relationship it Ligueil in Touraine is maintained with visits between the towns; facilitating hospitality, education, sporting and cultural experiences. Members from Ligueil visited Hungerford in September 2024 and the grant helped with transport, organisation of hosts, welcome events and hospitality.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Camera Club – £150

The club has held an annual photography exhibition in the Town Hall since 1986. Reduced membership and high costs have prevented its going back to a physical exhibition since Covid forced the event online: however this will be revived in September 2024. This exhibition has always been a highlight for the club and the local community, showcasing the talent and creativity of our members.
• for more information, click here.

Thames Valley Air Ambulance – £50

The grant was requested by local resident Ray Doncaster.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford & Camburn Education Trust – £1,000

The Trust gives annual grants to young people in Hungerford between 16 and 25. The grants are not limited to academic courses, and have provided tools and books for an apprentice on a plumbing course and a track saw and router for a young person enrolled on a fine furniture making course as well as funding a hairdressing kit and a harp for different studies. Last year, the Trust awarded grants to 17 students or apprentices for text books, computer software, stationery, sports equipment and university and college living costs.
• for more information, click here.

Hungerford Youth and Community Centre – £5,100

The Youth and Community Centre is run by an independent group of volunteers. The committee’s main remit is the management of HYCC building and outdoor facilities, as well as supporting youth and community services with a special emphasis on youth services. The grant will be used to help cover HYCC running cost for 2024-25.
• for more information, click here.