Test Valley Borough Council have presented the organisers of Love Andover Armed Forces Day with a cheque for £2,000 for this year’s event which will help sustain the event for the coming years.
Newly appointed council leader Cllr Phil North presented the cheque from the council’s Councillor Community Grant to ensure the continuation of the military event next year.
The Test Valley Borough Council Councillor Community Grant scheme helps to fund community-led initiatives. Local councillors allocate funds to projects that they identify as meeting a need in the community based on feedback and ideas from residents.
Councillor North said: “I’m delighted to support the future of Armed Forces Day. The event was popular this year and received some really positive feedback. I am glad that the money is put to good use.”
David Harber from Andover Radio added, “This will help with paying a small number of the bills this year! We really appreciate the support of the borough council with this – officers at Beech Hurst have been nothing but supportive throughout the whole event process.”
Next year it is hoped that the event will run over two days and organisers are already in conversation with the Ministry of Defence to showcase yet more military assets and offer more hands-on activities for younger visitors.
The support of the borough council comes at the same time that Andover’s town council has voted to withdraw from managing the planned Proms in the Park event on September 9th.
Test Valley Borough Council support local groups and organisations with funds like the Councillor Community Grant and the Community Asset Fund. Start-up businesses may also be eligible for the authority’s Business Incentive Grant.
