Originally Posted by Neil (Post 641557)

Maybe that comes down to those doing the judging.

Also if the bid meets all the relevant criteria for the particular bid and the forms are correctly filled in and all the supporting evidence is there to show the need then it should get the funding.

Originally Posted by mothernature (Post 641668)

I personally believe it is irrelevent wether forms are correctly filled in. At the end of the day so much money is allocated to so many types of projects and I'm convinced that the people who decide what projects are worthy are the ones that are close to their hearts.

Originally Posted by mothernature (Post 641668)

I personally believe it is irrelevent wether forms are correctly filled in. At the end of the day so much money is allocated to so many types of projects and I'm convinced that the people who decide what projects are worthy are the ones that are close to their hearts.

Originally Posted by Gayle (Post 641692)

A bit of both, Katex. When there are large amounts of money at stake they do tend to have a meeting with the applicants - basically to check out if the application makes sense and is worthy.

But, as far as they are concerned they treat all applicants equally.

Originally Posted by Neil (Post 641693)

I don't think I understand what you mean by that. Are you saying that it does not matter if you fill the forms in correctly?

Originally Posted by Gayle (Post 641567)

No one has to work harder than anyone else - everyone has exactly the same forms to fill in.

Originally Posted by mothernature (Post 641705)

No. What I am saying is given the choice and not knowing the areas involved, would you support a charity that means nothing to you or would you support one that you feel for.

Originally Posted by katex (Post 641700)

I would think though that in the case of Rhyddings, was not just their particular need or the quality of the application, but they probably looked at other parks and recreation areas in the area and decided was not urgent at the moment ?

Perhaps if it had been the only park in an area of 20 miles with heavy population, would not have been a problem.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 641783)

That could well be true Gayle, but in my way of thinking not everyone is treated equally, you know the old saying every one is equal, yet some are more equal than others springs to mind. It has long been said that the people who dole out the cash are members of the bleeding heart brigade, there has also been a call from many quarters that its time for more imput from the people who actually put their money down every week and buy tickets, and I firmly subscribe t that

Originally Posted by Gayle (Post 641794)

Sorry Jaysay but I completely disagree. No one is more equal than others - I know exactly what you mean by this - if the forms are filled in and application fulfils the criteria then there is no justification for refusing it.

The system is not flawed. The flaws come in the applications.

The Big Lottery is managed in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Bids from all around the country are processed there. Arts Council have regional offices so bids are processed in Manchester for our area and the same for Heritage Lottery, they have a regional centre. So there is no bias towards southern based projects!

They are not run by 'bleeding hearts' in fact I think it's the opposite and it's almost too clinical. If you sent in an application that was too emotional but not full of the correct data and information it would definitely get refused.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 641800)

However, I still say that the people who actually play the lottery should have a say in where the money goes.

Originally Posted by Neil (Post 641806)

So do I, I don't want to see £25,000,000 spent on the Olympic shooting venue so they can use it for six weeks then pull it down :mad:

London officials back Woolwich shooting venue - Telegraph

Originally Posted by Gayle (Post 641811)

This is a link to show how funds are divided and who manages the funding.

The National Lottery Good Causes :: About Lottery funding - FAQs

Yes, I too would like to see Rhyddings Park get the money and the Blind Society and all other local charities. Just out of curiosity Jaysay, how would you make the decision that Rhyddings Park should get the money and not a park in Reading or in Durham? Would you not identify some criteria which the applicants would have to prove that they can fulfil?

As for the bigger flagship grants - yes there are a few of them and yes they may seem elitist but they are not made to the detriment of smaller grants to smaller applicants. I'm not thrilled with the Olympics at the moment as a lot of money is being diverted to sports but on the other hand, when the Olympics are over they'll divert it back to the arts to make it fair.

As for smaller charities - if they don't apply then they don't get the funding! Have the Blind Society ever applied?