Every year thousands of pounds worth of funding is given out across the Bradford district to regenerate deprived communities. But often some of these communities felt they were missing out on money because they were not deemed to be in enough need.

JONATHAN WALTON reports on how a scheme aimed to address this issue is proving to be a success.

Just imagine an ugly, dilapidated toilet block slap-bang in your village.

There is a local will to transform it into something attractive and useful - a community garden, perhaps.

But standing in the way is not being able to get hold of the regeneration cash needed, just because your community falls into the wrong category.

That was the situation in Thornton, classed as neither inner-city nor rural and missing out on renewal funding as a result.

Other city-fringe villages found themselves in similar situations, with big plans but little cash to make them reality.

Fortunately, Bradford Council wasn't blind to this anomaly and managed to earmark £1 million to help motivated villagers to start making a difference.

For the last two years, the Urban Village Programme has seen 11 villages benefit from £75,000 injections, with ideas for projects coming directly from local people.

Residents in the 11 areas have drawn up action plans with local area co-ordinators' offices to identify and deliver improvements in Eccleshill, Idle, Queensbury, Wyke, Low Moor, Wibsey, Thornton, Heaton, Baildon and Esholt, Oakworth and Riddlesden.

Over in Thornton, Councillor Michael McCabe (Cons, Thornton and Allerton) said advantages of being in an Urban Village scheme had gone beyond the financial.

He said: "Two years ago we would not have thought we would be having a gala again.

"But the scheme has brought people together with a common goal of improving the village.

"It's been like a community hub in a way, getting people involved and achieving things that matter."

He added: "I suppose the money could have just been dished out to disparate groups for them to get on with their projects, but that would have missed the point. We've pulled together as a community and are tackling some of the things that matter to a lot of people."

And in the next 12 months, the village will see further fruits of the project, including another gala and the positioning of Welcome to Thornton' signs at village entrances.

A second piece of "eyesore" ground being transformed under the scheme lies between Havelock Square and Sapgate Lane, where it is hoped wildlife will flourish once it is tidied up and trees planted.

Urban Village funds have also been used to buy a portable building for Thornton Primary School, while young people benefited from football and climbing sessions at Thornton Recreation Centre.

The village now has a smart magazine-style newsletter, and local businesses have got together to produce a business directory circulated throughout the village.

Baildon, another forgotten' village, has seen its £75,000 used to tackle crime, improve youth facilities and traffic and transport.

Earlier this month, the Shipley Area Committee received the final report on Baildon Urban Village Project, outlining how local sports groups, churches, police, councillors and community groups had compiled an action plan for spending the council and Bradford Vision cash.

Achievements since July 2004 have included employing a voluntary sector youth worker and improving Cliffe Avenue playground.

Anti-crime work has seen redeployable CCTV established in the village and the setting up of a police community contact point.

A number of traffic schemes are being introduced, and various healthy living sessions have been held, Baildon Carnival returned for 2006, Christmas trees and lights decorated the village and wreaths were bought for Lower Baildon.

And in Roberts Park the Half Moon Caf has been reopened for the community, with art and music events.

The caf, restored by volunteers including Saltaire Cricket Club, saw security shutters installed thanks to partnership cash.

Although the village project officially ended in April, the report to the area committee highlighted several areas of continuing work, including a Lottery bid to fund one and a half youth workers by Baildon Community Link and Baildon Youth Provision Group and the work of the Baildon in Bloom committee.

A bid to set up a Baildon parish council has been sent to the Secretary of State and Electoral Commission for approval.

If agreed, the parish council will be set up next April and will refer to the action plan when setting its priorities.

Arrangements are still being made to install two boulders and two wooden signs to mark the entrances to Baildon.

And the new IT suite at Baildon library is set to be completed and launched next month, while a few remaining benches are to be installed in the village.

But, sadly, Baildon Action for Youth, a volunteer-run youth centre awarded £2,000 for building repairs, was forced to close in summer following vandalism and a lack of helpers.

Councillor John Briggs (Lib Dem, Baildon), a member of the Baildon Futures Partnership, said the village had previously been forgotten' when it came to allocating regeneration funding.

"For me, the project's been a big success because it's put the community in charge of decision making for the good of the village.

"Things like the Cliffe Avenue playground improvements show how things can change for the better when people get involved and say what is needed."

Queensbury used some of its cash, coupled with funding from the council's sports and leisure service, to refurbish historic Victoria Hall.

The work on the Victoria Hall, built as a concert venue in the 1880s, included a new floor, lighting and work to improve the stage. Walls have also been re-plastered and ornamental carvings cleaned.

Janice Thornton, head of the Council's neighbourhood support service, said there had been around 90 improvement projects steered by local people.

These have included Low Moor's Railway Terrace wildlife area and improvements at Harold Park, along with a history trail in Eccleshill and various inter-generational projects.

Elizabeth Hellmich, vice-chairman of Heaton Urban Village Partnership, said they had achieved much since starting.

"We are looking at rebuilding the village hall and have employed an architect to carry out a feasibility study.

"There have been all sorts of events such as the gala, the clean-up as part of the council's Big Sweep and we are having Heaton in Bloom.

"There have also been youth activities. It's done a great deal for cohesion in Heaton."

And the Heaton Village Directory was created to get residents more involved and boost community spirit as well as providing a useful list of telephone numbers and information for residents. It will help put residents in touch with the police, community groups, services, places of worship and Bradford Council services such as highways, planning, graffiti removal, the dog warden service and parks.

And in Wibsey, Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab) said they had enjoyed excellent working relations between local groups and had made real progress, especially for young and old.

"We've got the playpod, which is a supervised play area for eight to 13-year-olds on Wednesdays," he said.

"That was a response to concerns there was little for younger people to do.

"We've been careful not to use the money for one-off projects, but to create sustainable things that benefit the community."

And what of Thornton's toilet eyesore' problem? One of the big projects of Thornton Urban Village has been the demolition of the neglected toilet block in Kipping Gardens, where an attractive, landscaped area is now planned.

It is expected to be completed by Christmas.

e-mail: jonathan.walton@bradford.newsquest.co.uk