Princetown set for royal visit next week as new £250,000 fund is revealed
Princetown is preparing to welcome the Duke of Cornwall as he launches a £250,000 community fund, with grants available for projects supporting the village’s social, economic and environmental future
The Duke of Cornwall will visit Princetown on Tuesday to launch a £250,000 pot of funding for community-led projects.
Grants ranging from £500 to £40,000 will be available to community organisations, charities and social enterprises working on projects that bring social, economic or environmental benefits to the village.
Devon Communities Together will deliver the scheme and provide support to organisations applying for grants.
The money is one of the first major initiatives to follow the Duke's announcement in June of a £1.5 million investment package for Princetown and Dartmoor.
The Duchy of Cornwall said income received through the lease of HMP Dartmoor would be returned to the local area rather than retained, with further investment planned for environmental recovery, innovation, job creation and improvements across the village.
The scheme has also been shaped by work carried out through the Princetown Place Strategy and the Encounters Shop initiative, which brought together residents, businesses and community organisations to identify priorities for the future.
During Tuesday's visit, Prince William will begin at Gather & Moor, the community, visitor and cultural hub in the centre of Princetown.
The former Visitor Centre has been transformed into a multi-purpose space used for community activities, local enterprise and cultural events.
It also provides opportunities for local artists, makers and craftspeople to showcase and sell their work.
While there, the Duke will meet representatives from local business Princetown Press to hear more about its heritage craft.
He will then meet residents, community leaders and representatives of organisations involved in developing a shared vision for the village.
Discussions are expected to focus on locally identified priorities and how the new grants could help support projects in the years ahead.
The visit will conclude at Princetown Youth Club.
During a previous visit, the Duke saw the condition of the building, including the need for repairs to its roof, and asked the Duchy to consider how it could support the club's future.
It has since received funding to improve its facilities and expand activities for local children and young people.
Tuesday's visit will give the Duke an opportunity to see the progress made and meet some of those using the club.
The wider programme forms part of the Duchy of Cornwall's commitment to deploy more than £500 million over the next decade on investment in local communities, housing, local economies, renewable energy, farming resilience and environmental recovery.
The Moorlander will be attending the Duke of Cornwall's visit to Princetown on Tuesday, September 15.