A global arts festival for children in North Norfolk is among the projects set to benefit from more than �440,000 of Lottery cash being handed out in the East of England, it was announced today.

A global arts festival for children in North Norfolk is among the projects set to benefit from more than �440,000 of Lottery cash being handed out in the East of England, it was announced today.

The cash is being shared between given to 71 groups and organisations in what will be the last round of Awards for All grants, a small grants fund administered by the Big Lottery Fund.

One of those to benefit is Astley Primary School, a small school with just 200 pupils based near Melton Constable in north Norfolk. It has been given �8,200 to stage a global arts festival for the community on July 6.

The jam-packed event is set to include culture and performance from all the corners of the planet, including bhangra and samba dance groups, Chinese dragon making, and crafts from Africa. In the run up to the event pupils will take part in special workshops and will themselves perform at the festival alongside professional groups.

The school is also keen to give its 200-strong student body a sense of Norfolk's own heritage and will include local storytelling and dance culture as part of the programme.

Other grants made include Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club Junior Fleet. They were given �7,000 to buy new boats to get new members on board. And Africa Resources for Kidney Diseases in Norfolk, awarded �3,000 to raise awareness of Diabetes among African communities.

Sara Betsworth, Big Lottery Fund head of region for the East of England, said: 'It's wonderful that so many inspiring, important projects continue to apply to the Big Lottery Fund for funding help. This month 71 schemes share in close to half a million pounds including volunteer rescue teams, innovative education initiatives and dynamic arts and sports projects for community groups throughout the East of England.'

Awards for All is the small grants scheme administered by the Big Lottery Fund on behalf of Lottery good cause funders, Arts Council England, Big Lottery Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and Sport England. The scheme is now closed and each of the lottery good cause distributors who supported the scheme now run their own individual small grants programmes.

For further information visit www.awardsforall.org.uk.

t Those getting grants are:

Longham Parish Council (�1,070):

The parish council, based in Norfolk, will use funding to upgrade their parish notice boards as their remaining board is dilapidated and unusable. New notice boards will provide a vital community link by keeping residents informed on local issues and activities like courses, local clubs and social events.

Attleborough Amateur Boxing Club (�5,096):

This newly established boxing club in Attleborough will use the award to purchase new training equipment. The club will then be able to offer a higher standard of facilities for members. The project will improve opportunities for young people and the wider community to access quality boxing coaching.

Horsford Youth Club (�659):

This new youth club in Horsford will incorporate a new activity of short mat bowls into their monthly programme. This group will encourage young people to join the village bowls club which is under represented by young people.

The Friends of Wisbech General Cemetery (�3,031):

This group in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, work with the local community to manage a cemetery. They will use the award to update information leaflets and interpretation boards. The leaflets will be improved with a location map and interpretation boards will provide information on heritage and wildlife.

Manea Parish Council (�8,768):

This parish council in Manea have bought the lease on a local fishing pit and will use a grant to enable the creation of 21 accessible fishing/leisure platforms. This will benefit members of the local community who have traditionally used the pit to fish in and make the area more accessible to young people, families and people with disabilities.

Marshland St James Women's Institute (�7,706):

The WI will use the award to enable group members to attend residential training courses at Denman College. Subjects will include arts, crafts, music, IT and complimentary therapies. On their return the participants will share their knowledge with the local community via talks, learning activities and workshops in the village hall.

St Clements High School (�9,954):

This school in Kings Lynn will run a series of out of hours activities, aimed at pupils and local community groups. Activities will include trampolining and table tennis and will be available at social and competitive levels.

Heacham Cricket Club(�9,374) :

This cricket club in Norfolk will purchase additional equipment. A roller will improve the maintenance of the cricket ground, and a bowling machine will offer a higher standard of training and increase the skill levels of participants.

Castle Acre Coronation Bowls Club (�7,694):

Castle Acre Coronation Bowls Club will use the award to purchase a new lawn mower and other assorted equipment to keep the bowling green maintained. Their current lawn mower is old and needs regular servicing which is not cost effective.

Fakenham Parochial Church Council (�9,181):

The church will host a pageant of the town's history shown in sound and light with costumed actors telling the story. The community will participate in the project as well as local schools and other churches.

Africa Resources for Kidney Diseases (�3,000):

This project will raise awareness of diabetes amongst African communities through organising various activities, workshops and holding an awareness day.

North and Norfolk Mediaeval Association (�10,000):

This group in Norfolk promotes the study of the English Medieval Period. They will use the award to expand the club and purchase additional equipment. They will also develop a website and publicise the group.

Astley Primary School (�8,200):

This primary school in Norfolk will use the award to hold a multicultural arts festival. This will provide the local community with the opportunity to experience music, art, dance and story telling from a range of cultures. The festival will include performances, workshops and craft activities.

Bunwell Primary School (�300):

This primary school in Norwich will use the grant to enable it to organise a family athletics event in May. This will benefit the children of the school and any parents that also wish to take part. Children from other schools in the area will also be able to participate.

No 214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron Association (�3,978):

This group was formed to maintain contact amongst all persons who served with 214 Squadron which disbanded in 2007. The award will enable them to dedicate a memorial stone to be placed in the Royal Air Force section of the National Memorial Arboretum. All former squadron members and their families have been invited to attend this day of remembrance, which includes a celebratory meal and reception.

Norwich City Rugby League football Club Limited (�4,799):

Norwich City RLFC will use the award to develop the club and offer players the necessary facilities required to ensure a good quality and safe experience. They will also develop a training strategy to ensure that the club has skilled and quality coaches to support and teach players. The club will run at both senior and junior levels taking part in youth festivals across the eastern region.

Saint John's Cathedral Chess Club (�370):

This group in Norwich promotes the game of chess and provides facilities for competitive and friendly playing of the game. They will use the award to purchase electronic digital chess clocks to replace the current analogue mechanical clocks which are more than 25 years old. The new clocks will be more accurate and silent in operation.

Thorpe Hamlet Junior Archery Club (�7,994):

This junior archery club, based in Norwich, will use the award to hire in Archery GB level coaches in order to provide members with advanced coaching. The award will also enable the club to purchase equipment necessary to train new coaches and provide slow motion analysis to members in order to further develop their archery skills.

The Bridge Plus (�9,975):

This group, based in Norwich, promotes community cohesion through events and activities. They will use the award to move into premises which will provide a one-stop venue for information and advice. They will also hold a series of community events which will include a variety of activities, presentations and workshops.

Nightingale First School (�10,000):

This school in Norwich will develop a wildlife area and pond and establish various lunchtime and after-school clubs. This will include a 'Forest School' club which will involve children exploring and experiencing the natural world. Staff will receive training so they can deliver these sessions effectively. Local community groups and schools will have the opportunity to borrow the school's equipment in order to create high quality outdoor learning experiences for other local children and their families.

Norwich Stars Cycle Speedway Club (�3,500):

This group will use the award to install a pathway on the grounds which will allow wheelchair access to the pit and track areas. The facility improvements will extend participation to young people and those with disabilities. The group will establish links with local schools, including special schools, to make speedway cycling more accessible for children and provide coaching opportunities. By hiring a mini bus, the group will also be able to transport new and existing members to league fixtures.

Costessey Infant School (�9,964):

Costessey Infant School will create an allotment within the school grounds. This will allow for the expansion of the school out of hours gardening club. Use of the developed area will be extended to the local pre-school and Sure Start children's centre. Local allotment users will provide assistance in developing the gardening club which aims to teach the participants and the local community about growing produce, healthy eating and sustainability.

Waveney and Oulton Broad Yacht Club Junior Fleet (�7,000):

This yacht club will purchase new boats to increase membership. Currently there is a waiting list of children and young people wanting to participate in activities but the lack of boats is preventing the club from expanding. Volunteers will also be trained to teach sailing skills to members.

Halesworth Camera Club (�1,673):

This camera club will purchase a portable digital projector and lap top to enhance presentations.

Beccles Rowing Club (�4,669):

This rowing club in Beccles will use the award to purchase two sculling boats for their junior section. The project will facilitate increased opportunities for young people to practice, gain experience and work towards passing their proficiency tests. This will allow the group to remove restrictions placed on equipment usage due to heavy demand for the boats, and beneficiaries will have improved access to resources.

Barnham Bowls Club (�2,132):

The bowls club will use the award to purchase equipment to maintain the bowls green and install portable toilets. This will improve the quality of the playing surface and make the green more accessible.