PEOPLE in and around Devizes are celebrating after they were given grants from Devizes Area Board.

Awards totalling £18,100 were given out by the Devizes Area Board meeting on Monday (Sep 28) a total of £18,104 was given to various projects in Devizes.

Bromham has scooped two grants, with the parish council delighted to learn they are going to be given £5,000 towards refurbishing two of their play areas for children.

They will receive a further £5,000 for solar panelling at the Bromham Social Centre.

Peter Paget chairman of the parish council said: “The stuff at the park has gotten a bit tatty and we want to clear it all for both parks. 

"We have been thinking about making these changes for about five years now. We haven't been able to because it is so expensive, especially in the times we live in now.

“It’s very pleasing that we got this grant for the solar panelling as well. 

"We get to produce our own electricity in a clean way. 

"Once again, we are very pleased with the council’s decisions.

“I have been on the parish council for 52 years and lived here all 76 years of my life. 

"It isn’t a bad place to live and we have been very lucky to build the social centre.”

Devizes School will get £4,900 to install a new disabled bathroom just off the main hall of the school. 

Caenhill Countryside Centre has also been given a grant to pay for the development of some workshop facilities, where they intend to invite young people with special needs and soldiers working with Help for Heroes to learn more about farming and rural skills.

Rowde community shop has also been given £850 for a new computer system to keep all of their information up to date. 

In addition, West Lavington village hall has been given £2,350 for new wall panelling to help refurbish the 50-year-old building.