SOME of the groups that received Cornwall Councillor Community Chest awards last year were on hand at a recent meeting to explain how the money has been put to good use.

Represented at the Launceston Community Network Panel on Thursday, December 14, were Launceston Community Toy Library, Launceston Rifle and Pistol Club, Leading Lights Players of North Hill, and Stoke Climsland Carers’ Group.

Peter and Caroline Hammond have been running the Stoke Climsland Carers’ Group since 2013. Peter said: “What we are able to do is provide a bit of time out from the 24/7 carer role.”

They set up and coordinate meetings, and organise events such as tea parties and pampering days out to provide respite for carers.

“We make the group as positive as we possibly can. We are all aware everybody at home has serious issues. It can be upsetting, negative, frustrating,” said Caroline.

Although the couple do not have a background in caring, they said anyone could find themselves in the situation of having to care for someone.

There are around 24 current carers on their books, and nine ex-carers who still go along. “They can come along as long as they need to,” added Caroline.

They expressed thanks to Cornwall Councillor Neil Burden for the community chest grant, adding ‘it really makes a huge difference’.

Those interested in getting in touch with the group should enquire via the Old School, Stoke Climsland.

The Leading Lights Players of North Hill were able to upgrade their lighting thanks to their grant, and now the ‘whole lot use less power than two computers, with over 80% less consumption’ than their old lights, said chairman Cedric. “From a fire aspect and everything else, it’s fantastic,” he said.

He added on finding out they had secured a grant: “It was like Christmas all over again! It makes so much difference. Now we are set up for the next 20 years.”

The players have been in existence for around two decades, and where they used to struggle to get three or four children to take part in productions, this year they had 12, and had to write parts for them.

“It’s a very vibrant community and I hope it continues that way,” he added.

Every year they choose a Cornish charity of the year and give as much as they can to that charity. This year the players support Tanya’s Courage Trust, based at St Austell.

Launceston Community Toy Library was successful in applying for a grant of just over £200 for a storage cupboard for its base at the Bridge Community Centre.

The library had been storing toys in a metal storage shed, but unfortunately this meant some of the toys were going mouldy and getting ruined.

Thanks to the new cupboard, this year they have avoided any more issues with damp.

The toy library was set up last August by Valerie Carpenter and there are 80 people on the books, who have used the toy library.

She said: “I was a teacher, I had been teaching reception children, age four and five, full time. Two years ago I retired. I went from that to nothing.”

Valerie always had the idea of creating story sacks, but when she was working she never found the time. She got the idea to combine creating story sacks and opening a toy library.

For more information, search for Launceston Community Toy Library on Facebook or call the Bridge Community Centre on 01566 778668.

A club that has just had its 58th AGM is on the lookout for new members, and thanked the panel for the community chest grant it had received.

The Launceston Rifle and Pistol Club was awarded a grant of £480 to cover the cost of an Air Arms S200 air rifle, but their air captain also managed to get a scope and case with the grant.

The club is open to everyone, men, women and children, and Alan Savory, honorary secretary, said it is one of a few sports that all can take part in ‘on an equal footing’. One of their club members is blind, and uses a sight mechanism that lets them know when they are on and off the target.

The club shoots on land at the Werrington estate and Alan expressed thanks on behalf of the club for their support.

For more information, email [email protected]