Northumberland Schools Football Association received grants from Sir James Knott Trust, the Joicey Trust and Northumberland County Council Community Chest to hold a number of events.  After a very successful start, the NSFA Centenary continues thoughout the 2011/12 football season.

Chris Newman, Treasurer commented:  "These events could not have taken place without the generous support of the funders CVABV helped to bring on board".

More information and pics are available on the NSFA website - www.northumberlandcsfa.org.uk.

Members of the Elswick Arms Association with their new Standard.

This Project's aims was to get as many young people as possible to attend the Briardale Youth Project, out of Blyth
and into the country working on conservation and learning skills not associated with living in a town.

The project took a total of 16 young people to the Scottish borders for a week.

This also involved an overnight stay in tents in the woods, with some youngsters as young as seven years old.

The group were successful in gaining the Wildharmony Award for Basic Bushcraft skills, and also the John Muir discovery award (Bronze) in conservation work.

A group of residents in Alwinton Court, in Blyth have set up their own IT Suite thanks to a grant from Awards for All to purchase equipment.

Jane Tweddle, an Alwinton Court Resident, gets to grips with the internet.

Marjorie Norton, treasurer, remarked: "Quite a few of the residents are interested in computers for letter writing, so we decided to use the grant to get some installed".

Cowpen Quay Community Assiciation who oversee the running of the Buffalo Community Centre have been successful in gaining a £212,329 grant from the Big Lottery Reaching Communities. 

Eileen Cartie, Centre Manager was delighted with the award and commented:  "Over the past few years the association has had lots of support from CVA Blyth Valley (formerly CVS) which includes a full refurbishment of the Centre as well as gaining funding for the Centre Managers' salary".

A memorial celebrating the mining heritage of a Blyth community has been erected on North Farm.

Isobel Foster, a member of the North Farm Resident's Association said: "We strongly believe that this memorial will help communicate a lasting sense of shared history and belonging"  Isobel approached CVA Blyth Valley for assistance with funding and was successful in gaining grants from the Banks Community Fund, Heritage Lottery as well as other local funders.

Liam Harper who's face was used to sculpture the miners face. 

Other local children were also used in the sculpture for legs, hands and feet.

Members of a voluntary group who formed a number of years ago expressed their thanks to CVA Blyth Valley for their support and assistance in their application for an Awards for All grant which enabled the group to replace their recording and copying machines. 

The Talking Newspaper was set up to serve Blyth Valley and Wansbeck by supplying news, local information and articles from books and newspapers to the blind and visually impaired onto audio tapes.

Kids from New Hartley Kidsclub with their recipe books which were funded from the Fairshares programme.

The fund also provided monies for healthy eating sessions, healthy tuck and sports activities.

The Kidsclub have also secured funding from Sherburn House and other local funders with help from CVA Blyth Valley.

South Beach toddler group with their new equipment funded by the Local Network Fund.

The group leader approached CVA Blyth Valley for assistance in contacting the most appropriate funders.

Blyth Town Football Club contacted CVA Blyth Valley for assistance with a number of funding applications. 

The Club were successful in gaining grants from:

• Local Network Fund
• Football Foundation
• Awards for All
• plus other local funders

Blyth All Weather Lifeboat, The Jetty, High Quay, Blyth, Northumberland. NE24 2AS

Our contact from Blyth All Weather Lifeboat approached CVA Blyth Valley for assistance in completing funding applications to help with running costs.