THE Okement Rivers' Improvement Group and Okehampton's Simmons Bowling Club are among the first organisations to benefit from Okehampton Town Council's grant aid scheme in 2015 writes Tom French.

The rivers' improvement group will receive £350 towards coppicing of river banks and seat maintenance.

The voluntary organisation undertakes activities to conserve the wildlife and amenity value of Okehampton's East and West Okement rivers. Members carry out litter picks along the river corridor, have carried out environmental projects, including the reinstatement of a weir for migratory fish and have partnerships with the Environment Agency and Westcountry Rivers Trust.

Christine Marsh is a member of the rivers' improvement group. She said: 'It is great that the council has recognised our work.

'It is increasingly difficult for groups like ours to get larger grants. You have to be running a specific project, it is hard to get grants to cover running costs. Therefore, support like this is vital for little groups like ours and we are grateful to the council for their support.'

Simmons Bowling Club, based in Simmons Park, will receive £500 towards the cost of renewing the path bordering the top end of the bowling green. The club has a healthy membership and has teams in various leagues for both men and women. New members, including absolute beginners and more experienced players, are always welcome to get involved.

Grants of £500 were also granted to Relate Exeter and District, Okehampton Argyle Football Club ladies' team and to Okehampton Ecclesiastical Charity.

Relate Exeter and District offers counselling for those with relationship problems, be they marital, familial or otherwise. The donation will be used to continue its work in Okehampton.

The £500 going to Okehampton Ecclesiastical Charity will be used for on-going maintenance costs of the clock on St James' Chapel. The maintenance of the clock follows an extensive refurbishment project in 2011. The clock tower was the main point of focus, with the re-instatement of the traditional curfew bell, repairs to the clock faces and the installation of an automatic clock re-start system following power cuts.

Further external maintenance includes repairing and re-painting of rainwater goods and guttering. Internal work includes repairs to plaster work and redecoration, replacement of pew seating and repairs to furniture.

Okehampton Argyle's ladies' team was granted £500 to go towards the purchase of new training equipment and pitch hire. The club is always happy to welcome new players of any ability, visit the Okehampton Argyle ladies' web page for more information on how to join.