A volunteer group dedicated to improving daily life in Southam has been given a grant from a community fund set up by Warwickshire-based property, development and construction firm The Wigley Group.
Southam Civic Ideas Forum was established in 2000 to undertake practical projects that enhance the physical environment of the town. It has eight core members, but anyone who lives in or near Southam is welcome to join in with the group’s activities, and is supported by Southam Town Council, Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Warwickshire County Council, and other local agencies.
The group will use its grant of £664 from the Wigley Community Fund to produce updated versions of two popular public information leaflets.
The Southam Town Trail leaflet provides a guided walk around the town and an overview of the town’s history and important features. By drawing visitors into the town, it also helps to promote its shops and other businesses.
The Holy Well Walk leaflet describes a picturesque circular walk to Southam’s Holy Well and beyond. It tells the story of the 1,000-year-old, Grade II-Listed Scheduled Ancient Monument - one of the oldest holy wells in the country - which lies about a quarter of a mile from the town centre and is thought to be its original water source.
Both leaflets were first produced in 2005 and the group will use its grant to update them to reflect recent changes in and around the town, and to pay for a print run of 2,000 copies of each. This will provide enough copies for around three years.
The Wigley Community Fund was established by The Wigley Group to share £10,000 every year among individuals and groups based within a five-mile radius of its headquarters in Stockton. Applications are opened up twice a year, in March and September.
SCIF member Pam McConnell said: “The leaflets have such an important role to play in promoting what the town has to offer both to visitors, and to new and existing residents, and to highlight some of its important history and heritage.
“We rely on the support of local business and grant-giving organisations, so we’re very grateful to The Wigley Group for helping us to update and do another print run of both leaflets.”
James Davies, chairman of the Wigley Community Fund, said: “Southam Civic Ideas Forum is one of the many volunteer groups whose dedication benefits so many, but largely goes under the radar.
“Members have a significant and positive effect on Southam and the people who live, work and run businesses here, so we’re proud to be able to make a contribution to the work that they do.”
The Wigley Group has evolved from its beginnings as an agricultural plant hire company that was established in 1964 by John Wigley, father of the company’s current chairman, Robert.
It is an ISO 45001 and 9001 certificated company that is active in real estate acquisition, development and construction, as well as asset management of portfolios for both itself and commercial partners. Based at Stockton House in the Stratford-on-Avon District of Warwickshire since 2019, it directly employs around 40 people.
The next round of applications for the Wigley Community Fund opens between March 1-10.
Find out more and how to apply at www.thewigleygroup.com.
Caption: Linda Doyle, Len Gale, Mike Brooks, and Pam McConnell of the Southam Civic Ideas Forum