Suffolk Secrets Launches £25,000 Fund For Local Projects

On Saturday 24th September amid the wonderful tastes, sights and aromas of the Aldeburgh Food and Drink Festival, Suffolk Secrets launched a brand new £25,000 fund with the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB to support local environmental and community projects.  

Suffolk Secrets is proud to have supported the AONB for over 10 years and over that time has provided over £30,000 for projects including a major renovation of the Sailors Path, between Aldeburgh and Snape Maltings.  The Suffolk Secrets AONB Fund has been set up to support a range of smaller activities and projects that meet the objectives of the AONB regarding enhancement of, protection of and education about the landscape features of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths.  The fund will also support activities that engage families, particularly those that promote out of season tourism and projects that support local food producers. 

George Bradley, General Manager of Suffolk Secrets presented a cheque to Simon Amstutz, General Manager of the AONB on Monday 19th September and the Suffolk Coast and Heaths team, lead by Cathy Smith, Communications, Funding and Development Officer, launched the fund at the Festival, which was attended by thousands of Suffolk loving, food loving visitors.

"As the largest holiday cottage letting agency in the county, we welcome over 45,000 people to Suffolk each and every year. We have a duty of care to protect and nurture the wonderful landscape that makes this county so special for both the local community and holiday makers alike." commented George Bradley, General Manager for Suffolk Secrets. 

"We have enjoyed a long standing relationship with the AONB and have proudly supported projects with over £30,000 funding over the last 10 years thanks to the commitment of our staff and the generosity of our loyal customers.  

The Suffolk Secrets Fund demonstrates our continued support of the AONB and will offer grants to  projects that support the AONB in their objectives.  We are also keen to support projects or events that encourage families to enjoy Suffolk’s ‘great outdoors’ – its beautiful landscapes and excellent recreational facilities, particularly out of the main tourism season. Our local food producers will also have the opportunity to apply for funding to support projects that will enhance Suffolk’s growing reputation as a gastronomic tourism destination."

The fund will give grants of up to £3000 to projects or activities that meet the fund and AONB criteria.  The grant may support a project in its entirety or part-fund it and projects should be completed within a year of the grant being agreed.  Applications are open until 10th November for 2017 funding.

"We are very much looking forward to reviewing the applications at the end of the year and seeing these exciting projects coming to fruition."

You can find out more about the Suffolk Secrets AONB Fund and how to apply for a grant here.