04 November 2026
Improvements are under way at the Bothal Gateway feature on the A197 Morpeth Road, one of the main routes into Ashington. While the work is still in progress, people travelling along Morpeth Road may already have spotted some changes.
A new boundary wall has been built by a local contractor, Stuart Howard, funded by ward councillors Scott Amery, Lynne Grimshaw and Bob Walkinshaw through the ward environmental enhancement budget.
The Town Council created the ward environmental enhancement budget in 2023/24, with funding allocated to each ward in that year and again in 2024/25. Wards with funding remaining have carried their balances forward. The Bothal Gateway is a piece of land the Town Council already maintains, so the scheme was a straightforward way to make a visible difference. Where ward councillors want to create new spaces or take on new areas of responsibility, those proposals come to Council for approval.
Since then, Ashington Town Council’s Neighbourhood Services Officer, Ryan, has prepared the ground ready for planting in the spring, added some new stone features and returned suitable plants to the site.
There’s still more to do, and the gateway will really come into its own once it is fully planted up next year. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the bulbs, which will add a welcome splash of colour until then.
Ashington Town Council is proud to support the local voluntary and community sector through its Small Grants scheme. The Annual Grant Aid programme for 2026/27 is now closed. Each year, the Council sets aside funding to help organisations that deliver services, activities, and projects for the benefit of Ashington residents.
Our funding supports a wide range of groups, including sports clubs, youth organisations, community associations, arts and heritage projects, and charitable or volunteer-led initiatives.
Grants of up to £5,000 for organisations delivering significant projects or ongoing services.
The Annual Grant Aid programme for 2026/27 is now closed. Please check back next year for details of the 2027/28 programme.
Grants of up to £500 for smaller projects. The fund operates in four rounds each year.
| Round | Invitations | Deadline | Decisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | 6 May 2026 | 20 May 2026 | 27 May 2026 |
| Round 2 | 15 July 2026 | 29 July 2026 | 5 August 2026 |
| Round 3 | 7 October 2026 | 21 October 2026 | 28 October 2026 |
| Round 4 | 6 January 2027 | 20 January 2027 | 27 January 2027 |
Please read the guidance document for your chosen scheme before starting your application.
Designed for quick-access support to community groups and smaller impactful projects.
If you have questions about the application process, please contact the council office.
Email: admin@ashingtontowncouncil.gov.uk
Telephone: (01670) 624521
04 November 2026
Improvements are under way at the Bothal Gateway feature on the A197 Morpeth Road, one of the main routes into Ashington. While the work is still in progress, people travelling along Morpeth Road may already have spotted some changes.
A new boundary wall has been built by a local contractor, Stuart Howard, funded by ward councillors Scott Amery, Lynne Grimshaw and Bob Walkinshaw through the ward environmental enhancement budget.
The Town Council created the ward environmental enhancement budget in 2023/24, with funding allocated to each ward in that year and again in 2024/25. Wards with funding remaining have carried their balances forward. The Bothal Gateway is a piece of land the Town Council already maintains, so the scheme was a straightforward way to make a visible difference. Where ward councillors want to create new spaces or take on new areas of responsibility, those proposals come to Council for approval.
Since then, Ashington Town Council’s Neighbourhood Services Officer, Ryan, has prepared the ground ready for planting in the spring, added some new stone features and returned suitable plants to the site.
There’s still more to do, and the gateway will really come into its own once it is fully planted up next year. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the bulbs, which will add a welcome splash of colour until then.
Apply Online 
Guidance (PDF) 
Application (Word)