A TOTAL of 23 community groups in the Gazette & Herald’s circulation area will have a financial boost to their Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations this summer after successfully applying to our Community Fund.

Some 76 groups applied for help from the Gazette’s Diamond Jubilee Events Grants scheme. A third of them were chosen for grant aid.

Although most applied for the maximum £250, limited funds meant most are getting £100.

Gazette editor Gary Lawrence said: “We are sorry that, due to the large number of applications we received, so many had to be disappointed, but we hope they enjoy a wonderful Jubilee Day. The Gazette will be covering as many events as possible.”

Jon Yates, director of the Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, which administers the G&H Community Fund, said: “It is very encouraging to see how many communities are coming together to celebrate the special day.

“Due to limited funds, we had to calculate how the money would be best spent to further this aim.”

Groups receiving Gazette grants Devizes area: Devizes Townswomen’s Guild, who are organising a tea party for their 50 or so members Chirton and Conock, who hope to have a barbershop quartet performing at their party Trinity Primary School, the new school at Quakers Walk, who want to bury a time capsule Devizes Contact a Family, who are holding a party for disabled children and their families Devizes and District Guides, who are giving commemorative badges to their girls.

North Wiltshire area: Brinkworth Heritage Society, who will present commemorative mugs to all the children in the village Dauntsey, near Malmesbury, who are organising a party on their cricket field The Mill Race Activity Club in Calne, who want to buy a tree to plant to commemorate the jubilee Bremhill, Calne, where our contribution will turn a tea party into a special tea dance Compton Bassett, where our contribution will go towards new trees Calne Physically Handicapped Club, for their party at the Woodlands Social Club Residents of Dover Street, Chippenham, for help with their street party Residents of Kingsley Road, Chippenham, for help with their street party Cepen Park North Residents Association, Chippenham, to help pay for a tree to be planted by the Mayor Kington Langley residents, to help pay for commemorative mugs for the children Residents of Newall Tuck Road, Chippenham, towards a prize for the best-dressed house Market Quarter Residents’ Association, Chippenham, towards their street party Friends of Kington St Michael School, towards a commemorative bench.

Marlborough and Pewsey area: Manningford village celebrations, to bring this disparate community near Pewsey closer together Burbage’s Picnic at the Palace event, towards children’s entertainment Good Companions Club, Burbage, towards a party for senior citizens East Kennett, to help bring this spread-out village together on Jubilee Day Upavon Bunting Group, towards materials for their own home-made bunting.