TENS of thousands of pounds are being ploughed into Copeland to kick-start a number of environmental projects. 

A fund of £37,000 has been created to help organisations across Copeland deliver key projects that will help boost sustainability in the area. 

Millom School has been awarded a total of £5,000 to help with the regeneration of its site in Salthouse Road.

The school is hoping to leave a lasting legacy for existing and future students by transforming its grounds into an Eden of ecological excellence. 

Mike Vogler, co-ordinator of the student leadership council, who is delivering the project, said: "This is about the regeneration of the school grounds and making it an eco-friendly area. 

"It is something that says this school is active in taking care of the environment and using our resources and this money is going to help us with that."

The project will see the regeneration of the school grounds that will include a garden with fruit trees and vegetable patches that will enable the pupils to grow their own food which will be used in food classes and the canteen. 

A new wildlife pond will also be created to make use of the ground and provide safe habitats for a wide spectrum of wildlife. 

The Millennium Wood at the end of the sports pitches will also be developed as year seven pupils plant their own trees to help drain the area and provide a beautiful haven for students and residents alike. 

Mr Vogler is eager to start work on the project. 

He said: "I'm excited to be working with the students to help them use their ideas to develop their school.

"It's good to educate the students about the environment and being resourceful and being careful with the resources they have to hand. 

"Because we live on the edge of the National Park it's good to make them interested in nature and the environment."


The Green Grants scheme has dished out a further £32,000 to organisations across the borough including Waberthwaite Primary School, Friends of Millom Station and Eskdale Mill and Heritage Trust. 

Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, has welcomed the scheme. 

He said: “There is a very strong community spirit across Copeland, and that has been shown in the very strong applications from the widest range of community projects applying for the Green Grants funding.

“I believe this highlights the real strength and determination across Copeland at grassroots level to improve our borough. 

"The quality and variety of projects made it very difficult to select the final successful schemes, and I believe they will make a real, sustainable difference to people in their communities and create a lasting legacy.”

Find out more about the Green Grants scheme by visiting our website at http://www.nwemail.co.uk/