Community plans how to spend its £1m lotto windfall

Hundreds of residents flocked to an event at the weekend to round off consultation on how to spend a £1m lottery windfall in the area.

Organisers were delighted by the response to the Dreams for Dewsbury Moor gala day at Westmoor fields.

An action committee will take the best ideas to a funding panel set up to administer the cash, which was granted to the area last July by the Big Lottery Fund.

Chris Jenkinson from the Wroe Street tenants and residents’ association, said: “The gala was a resounding success. Now it’s down to the nitty-gritty and, after assessing the good selection of ideas, the best will be put into practice for the benefit of Dewsbury Moor.”

People were coming up with suggestions right to the last minute and ideas included:

• A local doctors’ surgery;

• A minibus for use by the whole community;

• Jobs for Dewsbury Moor;

• Youth facilities, such as a youth club or meeting area;

• A luncheon club;

• A recording studio for those interested in music.

Mr Jenkinson said: “After several weeks of consultation as to how to spend the £1m, people were still coming up with brilliant ideas. One late suggestion was the doctors’ surgery as right now it is a long trek, especially for older people, just getting to see a GP.”

Local vicar and action committee member the Rev Kathy Robertson said: “General priorities were safe places for children to play, help for people to find jobs and raising standards in education.”