RESIDENTS of Rowhedge were given the opportunity to decide how a community grant should be divided.

Ward councillor Michael Lilley enlisted the help of Colchestersoup to run an event where the public had a say on where £2,000 should go.

Colchestersoup is a group which allows people to share ideas about their community over a bowl of soup.

Each member pays a small entry fee and this money is donated to the group which has received the most votes for its community idea.

A brainstorming session was held at St Lawrence Church, Rowhedge, involving a number of groups. They included Rowhedge Coastal Rowing Club, Arts La’Oram, Rowhedge Yoga, Grief Recovery Method and Rowhedge Under 5s.

The grant was divided in accordance with their share of votes.

The rowers got about £840, Arts La’Oram, Rowhedge Under 5s and Grief Recovery Method about £300 and Rowhedge Yoga just over £200.

Mr Lilley said: “It is a great way to get the community involved in allocating the grant money and finding out what is going on in the area.

“Thanks go to Colchestersoup for organising the event for the village.”