AROUND £40,000 of Grassroots funding is still to be allocated in Torbay.

Every year Torbay has unspent Grassroots funding while groups struggle to find funds. Your group could be eligible so please read on!

Grants of £250 to £5,000 are available for community and voluntary groups in Devon (including Torbay and Plymouth) which meet the following criteria:

Annual income of less than £30,000.

In operation for at least 12 months.

Address needs of the local community.

Volunteer led.

Have a governing document, such as a constitution.

Application deadlines are as follows:

September 13, 2010.

November 8, 2010 (this may be cancelled if all funds have been allocated).

Applications can be for a range of activities from funding core costs to equipment or capital projects.

For more information and to apply visit www.torcom.org.uk or see www.devoncf.com/apply-for-a-grant/grassroots-grants or contact Len Richards of Devon Community Foundation on 01752 896816.

FOLLOWING the recent bout of vandalism in Battery Gardens, Brixham Battery Group is launching a war shelter repair and restoration appeal.

English Heritage Officer Phil McMahon inspected the 14-acre site together with Torbay archaeologist Hal Bishop, Phil Trayhorn and group member Ivan Parton.

Mr McMahon has ordered a full damage inspection and report from one of his colleagues to be completed later this month. The report will be submitted to the police.

To repair the fire damage to the roof of the gun floors and war shelter building, the group is aiming to raise £6,000.

One way of supporting the appeal is to join the group for a £5 donation, while taxpayers can add to their donation by ticking the Gift Aid box on the membership forms.

The Heritage Museum is now open every Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday afternoons 2-4pm free of charge to visitors.

Brixham Battery is one of only seven left intact in the country out of 116 built in 1940. Brixham is unique in having a 30m underground tunnel and two gun crew shelter rooms.

Bricked up in 1947, they have now been opened by the group and will, once restored, be open to the public.

Money raised from this appeal will enable the group to carry out full restoration and roof repair. The aim is to recreate the shelter rooms as they were in 1940 when 'Britain Stood Alone' against threatened Nazi Invasion.

Anyone wishing to join the group or make a donation can send a cheque payable to Brixham Battery Centre and send to: The Hon Sec Brixham Battery Group, c/o Carina, Higher Furzeham Road, Brixham, TQ5 8QP.

For more information about Brixham Battery Group visit www.brixhambattery.org

THE Torbay Local Involvement Network (LINk) has changed the way it works and, with a new steering group and a new priorities panel in place, it is ready once again to hear the views of the people of Torbay.

With the healthcare system facing sweeping reforms, it is more important than ever for local people to have a say about what is good and bad about the services they receive.

Anne Mattock, new chair of Torbay LINk steering group, said: "I am delighted to have been elected to chair the new steering group.

"It is an exiting time to be joining a network that has the power to really influence services — and with the Health Secretary unveiling radical plans for our health service including giving GPs control over much of the NHS budget, it is essential that local residents get their views heard."

Pat Harris, development officer of Torbay LINk, said: "We are delighted to welcome Anne as the new steering group chair. The future looks good for the LINk in Torbay."

It is hoped patients are to be given more say in how NHS money is spent as LINks are likely to gain more powers under the new Government plans and will eventually evolve to become Healthwatch.

Link manager Steven Letchford said: "We need more members of the public to join the LINk and share their experiences, to ensure that the LINk represents the views of as many of Torbay's residents as possible in the coming months."

For more information about the work of the LINk in Torbay and the NHS White paper go to www. Torbaylink@makesachange.org.uk

CHILCOTE Care exists to provide service to patients of the Chilcote Practice at both the Chatto and Dewerstone branches of the surgery, and to raise funds to purchase equipment for the benefit of patients.

These services include such things as befriending and patient transport.

Chilcote Care Patient Support Group is holding a car boot sale at the Chatto Surgery (situated on the corner of Chatto Road and Westhill Road and accessed off of Westhill Road) on Saturday, August 14 from 10am until 2pm (gates open at 9.30pm).

Cars £5 (including on-site parking) suitcases £2 (off-site parking). Sorry no vans. Refreshments and toilets will be available.

To book a car park space, call 01803 612664.

Funds raised go towards providing equipment and services for the benefit of the patients at Chilcote surgery.