CITY FIBRE COMMUNITY FUND

As part of their remit to deliver the government’s Project Gigabit broadband deployment programme in Warwickshire, CityFibre has set up a Community Fund to support digital inclusion, innovation and community engagement in Project Gigabit build areas.

The objectives of the CityFibre Community Fund include:

Promoting digital inclusion: support projects that help bridge the digital divide, particularly for vulnerable and under-represented groups, including low-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities.

Fostering digital innovation: encourage initiatives that drive technological innovation, enhance digital literacy and promote access to technology in ways that address local challenges.

Supporting local communities: respond to community-specific needs identified by local residents, focusing on improving digital access and services that impact daily life.

To support the delivery of these objectives, CityFibre has recently announced that they are now accepting applications for Small Grants that offer funding of up to £1,500 to community projects that address digital barriers that are impacting local communities.

However, potential applicants will need to act quickly as the deadline for the first round of applications is 31^st March 2025.

Please visit: CityFibre Community Fund - Small Grants Applications for more information.

Restoring Warwickshire’s Waymarkers - Now there are seven!  

The Warwickshire branch of the Milestone Society has been awarded a £7,661.00  grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore a seventh milepost and three  cast iron triangular mileposts.  

The Milestone Society has received support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund  for “Restoring Warwickshire’s Waymarkers”, it was announced today. Thanks to  National Lottery players, the project aims to restore the eight-foot-tall milepost, found  adorning a Kenilworth garden and very kindly donated to the Society by the owner in  memory of her late husband, who is believed to have rescued it from a farm auction  sale many years ago. It will be placed at the historically correct site north of the old  Toll House, Honington on the A3400. In addition, three cast iron triangular mileposts  will also be restored and replaced in their original locations.  

The project aims to encourage more people to get involved with their local history  and become aware of Warwickshire's mileposts and waymarkers. In addition to the  restoration work there will be an interpretation leaflet with circular walks including  activity sheets for children and other historical interest. Existing walks and leaflets  will be modified and a new walk introduced. For those unable to undertake the walks  there will be a virtual experience via YouTube. Two interpretation boards will be  provided at Goldicote and Alderminster village entrance. There will be information  displays in Shipston and Warwick Museums and community talks will be available.  Information on the mileposts and waymarkers will be displayed on the Society’s  websites warwickshirewayside.co.uk. and www.milestonesociety.co.uk.  

Restoring Warwickshire's Waymarkers follows a previous Heritage Fund-supported  project in 2017 when six nationally unique 19th Century mileposts on the A3400  Turnpike Stratford-on-Avon to London Road were restored. These are Grade II  listed by Historic England. The acanthus leaf decoration on the mileposts has been  dated 1810–1840 by Victoria & Albert Museum. The posts are cast iron, 8 feet tall  above ground with arms originally supporting a wooden destination board with  distance to London. Two of the three cast iron triangular mileposts requiring restoration were found in Alderminster, one at the Preston-on-Stour turn on the  A3400, the other on the A422 opposite Goldicote Farm’s entrance. A third is in 

storage, having been rescued from a skip. This will be erected at the Alderminster  Village entrance.  

Mike Buxton, Milestone Society Trustee and Warwickshire Representative said:  “We are delighted that we’ve received this support thanks to National Lottery players  and Alderminster and Tredington parish councils. We look forward to completing this  important and exciting project over the Summer. Having previously restored six  mileposts on this turnpike you can imagine our excitement when a seventh was  discovered. The seventh milepost will enhance the street scene adjacent to the  Honington Toll House and provide a unique and distinctive feature. Together with the  three triangular waymarkers missing pieces of local history and the historical  knowledge of the local transport network will be restored.”  

Notes to editors  

About The Milestone Society 

Established in May 2001, The Society aims to “identify, record, research, conserve  and interpret for public benefit the milestones and other waymarkers of the British  Isles”. Our members’ interests also include tollhouses, turnpike history and canal  milestones. Charitable status was gained in 2004.  

www.milestonesociety.co.uk 

About The National Lottery Heritage Fund  

Using money raised by the National Lottery, we inspire, lead and resource the UK’s  heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and  in the future. www.heritagefund.org.uk.  

Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use  #NationalLotteryHeritageFund  

Since The National Lottery began in 1994, National Lottery players have raised over  £43 billion for projects and more than 635,000 grants have been awarded across the  UK.  

Each week, thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised for good causes  across the UK.  

Further information  

For further information and images please contact Mike Buxton, Warwickshire  Representative, Milestone Society at mbuxton295@btinternet.com