Cllr Cath Homer is Conservative County Councillor for Hexham East and Cabinet Member responsible for Arts, Leisure, Tourism, Culture and Voluntary Services in Northumberland.

This week the Conservative administration at County Hall announced almost £170,000 in funding for Ellington Juniors Football Club, which will contribute towards the cost of a new community pavilion. Cath, along with Council Leader Peter Jackson, recently visited the club and reflects here on the importance of supporting project like this one:

'Clubs like Ellington Juniors are the heart beat of our local communities – they bring so much in terms of health, well-being, and community spirit.  This project in South East Northumberland is a great example of business, community and politicians coming together to make a real difference in the lives of local people and is a very important part of our commitment as a Conservative Council to deliver in every corner of the County.

The Club was donated nine acres of land by Alcan, when its Lynemouth smelting plant closed, so that it could build new pitches and a pavilion – since then the local community has worked tirelessly to fundraise and now, with the support of Northumberland County Council, they are just months away from having a new facility up and running.

When I visited the club, I was so impressed in the way the community has come together to fundraise for the facility and to hear about how it will positively impact not just on the young people at the football club, but right across the local area. Facilities like these are a great way to encourage healthy and active lifestyles and I know this project will bring huge benefits to many people in and around these villages in South East Northumberland. 

I am delighted that Northumberland Conservatives are supporting a project like this one, benefitting the local community and bringing a new lease of life to the former industrial site.'