About Us

 

Bolsterstone Community Group was set up in July 2002 in response to a growing feeling expressed by both residents and visitors that the village was in need of some tender loving care and both long established residents and many newcomers would welcome the establishment of some kind of community association.

 

Our first most pressing need, therefore, was to hold a Public Meeting that was open to everyone, agree a constitution and appoint a management committee.  We are grateful to Keith Levy of Voluntary Action Sheffield who advised us on the scope and content of the Constitution and also arranged a start up grant of £50 to help towards our initial expenses.

 This document clearly states the aim of the Group which is,

 

  “To promote the well-being of the people of Bolsterstone and the adjoining areas by the advancement of education and information and the conservation of the environment.”

 

Right from the start we felt it important that anyone who supported this aim would be welcome as a member and that membership should not be restricted to only those who live in the village.  This principle is important as we need all the help and support we can get and it seemed unreasonable to have a rule which may exclude someone who has had long associations with the village but now lives in Deepcar or Stocksbridge, or even farther afield, but would include someone who rents a cottage in the village for six months.  New ideas and enthusiastic help are always welcome, but so is long experience and knowledge of past traditions.

 

 With the Constitution firmly in place and a Management Committee duly appointed we were in a good position to apply for the various funding that is available to Community Groups.   We are grateful to:

 

Organisation                                             Amount                            Purpose

 

Voluntary Action Sheffield                               £50                        Start up Grant

 

South Yorkshire Community Foundation        £400                       Village Troughs

 

Stocksbridge Town Council                            £500                       Village projects

 

Yorkshire Rural Community Council               £2207                     Village Appraisal/Act. Plan

 

Community Initiative Fund                              £4440                     Computer/Projector etc

Local Heritage Lottery Fund                            £7447                     Heritage Projects

 

Neighbourhoods North Area Action                 £300                       In Bloom support

 

*Benefits of Joining BCG*

 

By joining the Bolsterstone Community Group, you are automatically given the opportunity to have a say and influence matters that effect the community. The Management Committee of the group has co-opted members representing the following local groups and organisations:

 

Stocksbridge Town Council,

The Village Hall Trust,

The Church,

Carter Jonas (Broomhead Estates Agents),

Yorkshire Rural Community Council

 

As a recognized Community Group we have influence when putting forward member's views - for instance to the police or to the Council.

 

On a Social aspect, it is also a way of meeting other members of your local community, giving you a chance to interact and network. The Group organises various social events throughout the year, Rounders Day, Plant Sales, Christmas Fair and coffee mornings, and for the first time this year we are hosting a Barn Dance in Bolsterstone Village Hall.

 

The Committee meets the 2nd Tuesday in the month in the upstairs room of The Castle and members are welcome to observe meetings, suggest items for the agenda and speak by invitation on issues they wish to raise.

 

With more members it increases our chances of obtaining support grants, thus enabling us to improve where we live.

 

So don't delay sign up today!!

 

Application form <mempol.htm>