Councillors give £6,000 for accessible toilet at Clanfield Observatory
Five East Hampshire district councillors have contributed £6,000 of grant funding towards an accessible toilet extension at Clanfield Observatory.
East Hampshire District Council said on 30 September that five of its councillors have contributed a combined £6,000 in grant funding to accessibility improvements at Clanfield Observatory.
What the money is for
According to the council, the funding will help build a fully accessible disabled toilet extension at the observatory, removing barriers for visitors with mobility needs.
The council listed the contributions as £2,000 from Cllr Sara Schillemore, £2,000 from Cllr John Smart, £1,000 from Cllr David Evans, £500 from Cllr Chris Hatter and £500 from Cllr James Hogan.
Richard Judd, President of the Hampshire Astronomical Group, is quoted in the council's release as saying: "This project is about much more than a building upgrade. It reflects our commitment to making the observatory accessible to all."
How the grants work
The council explained that each district councillor has an annual budget of £7,000 to support local voluntary and not-for-profit organisations in their ward. Eligible charities and community groups can apply through the Councillor Community Grant Scheme, which is run through the East Hampshire District Council website.
The release does not give a start date or completion date for the building work, so check with the observatory or the Hampshire Astronomical Group for timings.
Where to read more
The full announcement is on the East Hampshire District Council website. Community groups in the Horndean area that think they might qualify can find the Councillor Community Grant Scheme through the same website.