A DISTRICT based aerodrome and youth dramatic society were among 22 Essex charities to receive grants from Essex County Council at a ceremony.

Stow Maries Aerodrome and KYDS Youth Drama Society in Tiptree received a grant of £2,500 each from the Essex Millennium Fund and the Essex County Council Chairman’s Fund.

Representatives from the charities were presented with the grants at the ceremony held at Chelmsford City Racecourse last week hosted by Chairman of Essex County Council John Aldridge.

Grants totalling £75,080 were presented from the two funds on the night.

Ian Flint, CEO of Stow Maries Aerodrome, said: “We are thrilled to receive this support from the Chairman’s Fund and the £2,500 grant.

“We run a range of exciting activities for young people, to learn about science, technology, engineering and maths, and this includes the opportunity to build model aircraft and rockets.”

James Stocker, of KYDS Youth Drama Society, said: “This grant of £2,500 will support our youth drama production for young people in Tiptree. This is a wonderful opportunity for young people aged 11-18 to develop their performance skills.”

The funds, managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation (ECF), provide support for community and voluntary organisations whose good work enhances the lives of people living in Essex.

At the presentation event John Aldridge said: “It has been one of the most satisfying areas of my role and a privilege to visit many charities and voluntary groups to discover more about their work.”

“I have received the warmest of welcomes and I have been most encouraged to see local people coming together with a common aim of improving the lives of others less fortunate, or making their communities a better place to live and work”.

The Essex Millennium Fund was established as an endowed fund within ECF by members of Essex County Council to celebrate the Millennium. The Chairman’s Fund was established with ECF in 2007.

The funds provide an annual income for a grants programme, awarding grants to voluntary and community groups working in the priority areas of carers, community support, enhancing the environment, young people and activities which explore culture and heritage.

Visit www.essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk.