The Mayor of Ringwood, Cllr Tony Ring has donated his 2020/21 mayoral allowance of £1,040 to the town’s grant aid budget. He said that he wanted local organisations to benefit from it, particularly Ringwood Coronavirus Assistance (RCA).

Consequently, the policy and finance committee has agreed an award of £400 plus VAT to the RCA. This will enable the provision of carbon dioxide monitors to the four infant and junior schools in the parish. Rooms would therefore be regulated and ventilation varied, in order to manage coronavirus transmission risk.

Two other organisations are also to receive a grant.

Forest Forge has been awarded £500 to support continued efforts to provide a service on-line, face-to-face and via the post. The company promotes community involvement and wellbeing through drama and arts activities for the residents of Ringwood.

New Forest Disability Information Service is to receive £500 to support the costs of providing free disability related information and advice to people in Ringwood. A welfare benefit application service is also available. Advice is accessible to anyone and clients are also referred by Citizen’s Advice Bureau and doctors’ surgeries, etc.