Street Parish Council has handed out more than £110,000 in grants to community groups and frontline services for 2025–26 — but warned tough choices had to be made after a record number of bids flooded in.

Councillors said demand for cash "significantly exceeded" the budget this year, forcing them to focus on groups with the biggest local impact.

Big winners include:

• Strode Theatre – £20,000 to help keep ticket prices down and support free community shows.

• Crispin Community Centre – £17,000 for vital services like the Soup Kitchen and Volunteer Driver Scheme.

• Greenbank Pool – £15,000 to keep resident season tickets cheap and cover maintenance.

• Alfred Gillett Trust – £15,000 towards the new Shoemakers Museum.

• Victoria Club – £7,500 to revamp facilities.

The money will be paid in April 2026 as part of the council's strategic funding pot.

On top of this, YMCA Brunel Group continues to receive £32,000 a year under a service deal struck in 2023. It funds youth work, safeguarding, lunch clubs and one-to-ones at Crispin School.

Smaller grants of up to £2,000 were also dished out to:

• GWS Radio – £1,330

• Houndwood Community Group – £600

• Somerset Bus Partnership – £1,998.92

• Somerset Prostate Support Association – £750

• Street & District Allotment Association – £1,500

• Victoria Club – another £2,000 top-up

The council is also covering room hire for the Street & Glastonbury Carer's Support Group at Crispin Centre.

There's still £11,565 left in the kitty for this financial year. Grant bids will be reviewed as they come in and cash handed out within 28 days if approved.

Cllr Bryan Knickerbocker, council chair, said the record number of applications showed both the community's strength and the growing financial strain local groups are under.

"We've had to make some difficult choices to stay within budget," he said. "But each award was carefully considered in line with our grants policy and the value each organisation brings to residents."

Larger grant applications will reopen next summer and must be in by 1 August 2026.

More local stories:

• Street: Homes England pulls out of major A39 housing site

• Glastonbury: Council blocks 'inappropriate' homes on town car park

• Shepton Mallet: Plans submitted for 34 homes off Cannards Grave Road

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