Projects in the Bradford district that strengthen the ties or mutual understanding between members of the Armed Forces and the community they live in have received a total of more than £175,000 of Ministry of Defence funding.

The biggest single grant of £75,000 was for an Armed Forces themed sculpture trail in Baildon.

A total of £16,900 has been allocated for a film depicting Bradford’s Armed Forces past and present with the premiere in front of an invited audience at the Media Museum and a screening at City Park Big Screen on Armed Forces Day.

There has been £4,250 to raise awareness of opportunities available in the Armed Forces to young people in Manningham and linking them with veterans to promote and enhance their understanding of the role and contribution of the Armed Forces Community.

And up to £3,000 was given to improve heating for a community-based snooker club at St Stephen’s Church, West Bowling, where former service personnel and civilians will be able to meet and enjoy a game together.

There has been £11,235 for play schemes for children with input from serving Armed Forces personnel and £65,476 for a history club, an opportunity to build and swap life skills and active citizens’ programme – all open to young people and supported by serving and former serving members of the Forces community.

Tong Councillor John Ruding (Lab), said: “The Community Covenant scheme has had full support of all members of the Council since we signed it some time ago and the grant scheme has been successful thanks to the hard work of the partnership. I hope it continues to support people.”

Individuals and groups are now being urged to submit more grant applications to access cash to their local Armed Forces Community Covenant Partnership.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) will then make final decisions on successful bids at its next Grant Scheme Panel meeting on a date yet to be decided. Funding of £100 up to a maximum of £250,000 is available for approved projects.

For more information on the scheme, contact Helen Johnston at helen.johnston@bradford.gov.uk or (01274) 434401.