'Gardening is not exercise' group told; Stunned reaction as grant is turned down

Byline: SAM CASEY

She said theTRAwas advised to apply for funding from a grant scheme called Eat Well for Life.WOULD you look at that? K i r k w o o d H o s p i c e fundraisers Pauline Holmes and Jane Dutton get an eyeful of the latest venture to help the Dalton centre.It was awarded pounds 5,000 to create a garden with raised beds, walkways and a large greenhouse."I referred to it as 'early heaven.' "It spurred me on to do all I can to help".Mr Holmes was a lorry driver for much of his working life but also had a spell as a policeman in West Yorkshire.Funding would have come from the council's reducing inequalities grant scheme."I couldn't believe it. I told him I thought they were a bunch of clowns.John O'Grady, Northern Gas Networks' communications director, said: "We set up the Northern Green Networks' grant scheme as a way of supporting these groups that are dedicated to improving their local communities. They are the ones that make things happen.The spokeswoman added: "The Netherton project was considered by a panel of experts including NHS Kirklees and would have been funded had the money been available.CAPTION(S):The spokeswoman added: "The panel's decisions were not easy to make and they acknowledged that a lot of good projects were not going to get funding because there simply wasn't enough money to go round all those who applied and met the criteria."CAPTION(S):Other groups to benefit in West Yorkshire were Bradford's Prism Youth Project, which was given pounds 5,000 for a nature trail, treasure trail and signage at the city farm.The Denby Dale Centre, based at Springfield Mill in Denby Dale, works with older and disabled people living in surrounding rural areas.

DISAPPOINTED: Stephen Knight, right, with vice-chairman Mike Gates, left, and representatives of the Rainbow and Brownie groups (AC201210Eneth)