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COMMUNITY projects in Devizes could be in line for European funding when the successor to the hugely successful Sustain the Plain comes in next year.

The fund, which has given nearly £2million to community projects over the last six years, is coming to an end and a celebration event was held at Market Lavington Village Hall last Thursday.

Sustain the Plain is a rural development programme aimed at communities in and around Salisbury Plain, using money from the European Leader Plus programme.

It was approved in 2002 and handed out the first grants in 2003. Although it runs until autumn, plans are being laid for its successor.

John Dowsett of Devizes-based Community First, which helped administer the scheme, said: "The map of the area we will be covering next is going to change. We will probably be losing Pewsey, as this will come under a scheme being organised by the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

"But we will almost definitely be including Devizes in the new area."

This will be good news for such organisations as the carnival and the festival, but other Devizes-based organisations have already benefitted.

Kennet Citizens' Advice Bureau received £37,000 over two years to provide a telephone debt advice line.

Perhaps the best-known organisation to benefit from Sustain the Plain has been The Great Bustard Project, which is aiming to establish a breeding colony of the world's heaviest flying bird on Salisbury Plain.

The Great Bustard Group, which has a release site centre in Enford, near Pewsey, has received nearly £200,000.

Running in tandem with Sustain the Plain has been Rural Renaissance, funded by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA).

This is due to end next year and has concentrated on economic development projects, encouraging rural-based businesses, particularly village shops.

Tim Coomer, Community First's village shops adviser, told Thursday's gathering that they had aided 51 independent retailers and 55 community groups looking to set up community stores.

Jon Masterson, chairman of the Urchfont Community Shop Association, which has received grants from both Sustain the Plain and Rural Renaissance, said their shop had a turnover of £97,000 last year and had been able to market a range of its own-label products in conjunction with Care Rowde.

10:33am Thursday 8th May 2008

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