A DATE has been set for the inaugural Toothill festival to be funded from a £1m lottery fund.

The area, in West Swindon, was among the first 50 areas in the country to benefit from the Big Lottery Fund, which is investing up to £200m over the next ten years to turn 150 urban and rural neighbourhoods into better places for everyone to live.

Since the Adver broke the news in July last year, a steering committee of members of the local community, including community cafe organiser Tina Mackie and activist Ruth Kiddle, has been set up to make applications for money and take decisions on what it should be spent on.

The fund is yet to appoint a charitable trust to oversee the programme and as yet no money has been released.

The committee decided to elect Swindon Council as the lead organisation, meaning they will look after the money, and have applied to the Big Lottery Fund for an initial £10,000. It was announced at a meeting of the West Swindon Forum on Monday night that the money would be spent on putting together a one day festival in the heart of Toothill on Saturday, May 7.

Pam Pixton, community development officer for the council, told the meeting: “We did some small surveys in Toothill and people wanted a community event to boost community spirit.

“The steering group decided this is going to take place on May 7, between the Royal wedding and the FA Cup final.

“It will be mainly in the grounds of Toothill Primary School but we are looking to extend to the other side of Stokesay Drive and get the pub, church and community centre involved.

“Everyone is invited, even from outside Toothill, and we want to give it a community feel. It should be really exciting and a great opportunity for Toothill.

“We were looking to employ people on the day to assist but it is too expensive.

“The idea is to get people involved and all help on the day would be gratefully received.”

Anyone interested in helping out should pop along to the community cafe, which is held in Toothill Church on Mondays between 9.30am and 1.30pm.