The Bayford Countryside Fund
The Bayford Countryside Fund is designed to offer financial support to initiatives or projects that benefit the wider community. These may range from projects to improve the local environment; provision of facilities for towns, villages or schools; crime prevention measures; leisure or recreational initiatives; improved communication facilities for remote areas; or tourism development.
The fund is focussed on community-related activity and initiatives which are aimed at the improvement of the local area, amenities and environment, rather than the development of commercial organisations. It currently covers all areas where Bayford Oil makes deliveries, across the north of England and North Wales.
The following projects have received support from Bayford’s Countryside Fund: the Friends of Leavening School, which received funding for the improvement of the outdoor learning and play environment; the Hillside Rural Activities Park, in Borrowby near Thirsk; Scruton School, near Northallerton; Etton Village Hall, near Beverley.
For more information see our Q&A section below:
How much funding is available?
The fund is designed to be flexible to the needs of different communities and different initiatives within them. We appreciate that certain schemes require more financial support than others but their benefits are far-reaching. Similarly, there will be cases in which a minimal amount will have a significant impact. As a guide, awards of between £100 and £500 are most typical. The total commitment to the Countryside Fund runs to a five-figure sum.
Do I have to be a Bayford customer to apply for funding?
No. The fund is open to any individual or group whose activity meets the general criteria of the scheme.
How many times can I apply?
Only one application can be made on behalf of each organisation or group within each calendar year. Applicants will be welcome to reapply the following calendar year.
When will I get an answer on the outcome of my application?
We aim to have a reply to applicants within 10 working days.
What if I don’t want to be involved in any publicity for my funding?
We ask that all recipients of funding are involved in a limited amount of publicity to enable Bayford to promote the fund and to illustrate Bayford’s community work. Publicity often also helps to raise awareness of funded organisations and their activities and to acquire further support from businesses and the community. Typically, a press release will be written about the funding made and the initiative being supported. A photograph will also be taken to illustrate the funding. We will work with recipients to arrange convenient times for photography and interviews, and all material will be approved by all parties mentioned before being released to local media. Where a story is particularly newsworthy, we may invite
broadcast media to film/interview recipients.
For more information email: countrysidefund@bayford.co.uk