A bouncy castle, a barbecue, live music and a chance to vote on bids for TravelSmart money to be spent in Westborough Ward.  That was how we spent Saturday afternoon at the Park Barn Centre.  The afternoon started with the barbecue being fired up by Wayne McShane, the Chairman of Park Barn & Westborough Community Association and Andrew Milligan from Kings College.  There was a bouncy castle which had to come indoors because of the uncertain weather.  Playrangers were toasting marshmallows on the green space outside.

Around about 3pm the 5 groups who had put in bids for TravelSmart community funding told the residents what they would do with the money if they were successful.  I was very happy to be asked to act as Master of Ceremonies.  Residents then used their electronic voting pads to say how much they supported each of the bids.  It didn’t take long for the results to come in.  One by one the bidders were told the outcome.  Everyone one of them got the money they need to carry out their projects.  At the end they all got a huge round of applause.

The afternoon was rounded off by a live performance by local singer Hannah Dorman and a guest.  She is a wonderfully talented young lady and I hope that she will get the success she deserves.

I am now waiting for the exciting projects to get started and to see how much difference they make to our community.

There will be another round of bidding for the smaller projects in January 2013.  If you are part of a group working in the Park Barn, Westborough or former Stoughton areas of Westborough Ward or in the Ashenden estate and you need a pot of up to £3000 to help with a project, please contact the TravelSmart team at Surrey County Council for an application form.  The Park Barn & Westborough Community Association will be able to give you the details.