A MUSEUM, swimming pool and theatre are among recipients of grant funding in Street.

Street Parish Council has confirmed its annual community and strategic grant awards for 2025/26, as it aims to support “organisations that deliver essential services and provide clear benefits to residents”.

After a year which saw a record number of applications, councillors faced difficult choices to ensure the public funds were allocated fairly and to achieve the greatest community benefit.

Grant funding from Street Parish Council has been awarded to:
• Alfred Gillett Trust – £15,000 to support the opening and early operation of the
new Shoemakers Museum.
• Crispin Community Centre – £17,000 to assist with running costs, including the
Volunteer Driver Scheme and Soup Kitchen.
• Greenbank Swimming Pool – £15,000 to provide discounted season tickets for
Street residents and maintenance support.
• Strode Theatre – £20,000 for operational costs and to help maintain lower hire
fees for community groups and free-to-attend community shows and film
festivals for local residents.
• Victoria Club – £7,500 to improve facilities.

READ MORE: Street & Glastonbury news from your Somerset Leveller

As well as the strategic awards, the council continues to support the YMCA Brunel Group through a Service Level Agreement (SLA) of £32,000 per year, agreed in November 2023, to support youth services in Street including the provision of Street Youth Club, safeguarding, regular lunch clubs, and one-to-one sessions at Crispin School.

General community grants of up to £2,000 were also awarded by the Policy and Finance Committee this year to a range of local organisations, including:
• GWS Radio – £1,330
• Houndwood Community Group – £600
• Somerset Bus Partnership – £1,998.92
• Somerset Prostate Support Association – £750
• Street & District Allotment Association – £1,500
• Victoria Club – £2000

The authority also provides financial assistance to cover room bookings at Crispin Community Centre for the Street & Glastonbury Carer’s Support Group.

Meanwhile, applications for general community grants of up to £2,000 are being welcomed and will be considered by the Policy and Finance Committee at the first available meeting following receipt.

Approved grants will be paid within 28 days of the committee’s decision. A remaining budget of £11,565.08 is available for the rest of the financial year.

Cllr Bryan Knickerbocker, chair of the council, said: “The council is proud to support so many organisations that make a genuine difference to people’s lives in Street.

“The number of applications this year highlights both the strength of our community and the growing challenges faced by local groups.

“We’ve had to make some difficult choices to stay within budget, but each award was carefully considered in line with our grants policy and the value each organisation brings to residents.”

The next round of applications for grants exceeding £2,000 will open in summer 2026, with a closing date of August 1.