Bristol Airport marks the second anniversary of its Airport Environmental Improvement Fund

£91,000 donated to local parishes in 2013 

Bristol, UK, 2014-03-11 — /Travel PR News/ — A fund set up to benefit the community around Bristol Airport has donated over £180,000 to 44 local projects since it was established two years ago.

The Airport Environmental Improvement Fund was set up in 2012 as one of the commitments the Airport agreed to provide in connection with its planning permission for development over the next decade.

Each year Bristol Airport contributes £100,000 to the Fund, with the figure increasing in line with future growth in passenger numbers. The Fund’s Management Committee includes representatives from both the Airport and North Somerset Council and is independently chaired.

Alan Davies, Planning and Environment Director at Bristol Airport, said:

“The Management Committee was delighted to approve grants to a range of projects in the local area over the last year. All initiatives have, or will, deliver benefits to the local community and residents thanks to the Fund’s contribution.”

Last year (2013) a total of 26 projects received contributions ranging from £370 to £11,000. Local initiatives supported include an improved pedestrian crossing on the A38 at Cowslip Green in Wrington; a community art programme at Backwell School; improved road safety signage on the A370 at Cleeve; courses for small businesses based in North Somerset; outdoor play equipment in Flax Bourton; and a Countryside Day aimed at teaching local children about food production.

The Countryside Day held at the North Somerset Showground in Wraxall hosted over 2,000 primary school pupils from the local area, with the objective of improving their understanding of where food comes from as well as creating a link between healthy eating and healthy living.

Tim Ledbury, North Somerset Agricultural Society, said:

“The North Somerset Agricultural Society was very grateful for support from Bristol Airport’s Local Community Fund in 2013. The Countryside Day is a hugely valuable day for the children. We aim to educate them about food production, agriculture, countryside heritage and industries. The children have a wonderful day whilst learning about the environment around them.”

The local Young Enterprise scheme also received a grant from the Fund to assist two local secondary schools. Young Enterprise is the UK’s largest educational charity which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. The programme it runs inspire young people with the confidence, ability and ambition to succeed.

Caroline Tarbuck, Young Enterprise Manager, said:

“Both Backwell and Chew Valley schools have reaped huge benefits from Bristol Airport’s Community Fund by not only participating in our flagship Company Programme, but maximising the opportunity. Both schools have produced outstanding products that they have been developing since September 2013 with their business supporters. The Airport also assisted the Company Programme in providing business mentors.”

The Fund’s purpose is to help mitigate the impact of the Airport’s operations and to give something back to surrounding communities who are situated in close proximity to the site. Projects which could be eligible for support include initiatives to mitigate the impact of aircraft and ground noise, improvements to transport infrastructure, measures to reduce community severance, nature conservation, educational projects and local sustainability initiatives. The Fund’s area of benefit includes the parishes of Winford, Wrington, Backwell, Brockley, Cleeve and Barrow Gurney.

For further information please contact the Bristol Airport Local Community Fund Administrator on 01275 473615 or email communityfund@bristolairport.com.

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