Earlier this year, VIRTUS invited local groups across Bledlow Ridge, Saunderton and the surrounding villages to apply for funding through the VIRTUS Community Development Programme, our way of putting real money behind the things local people say matter most.

We received a strong field of applications covering everything from environmental projects to school repairs, accessibility improvements and support for local community spaces. Each application was initially reviewed application against feasibility and the direct impact it would have locally, and from that process seven projects were shortlisted to go forward to a public vote.

Rather than VIRTUS making the final call, we believe local people understand their community’s needs better than anyone else, so we put the decision directly in the hands of residents. Voting ran online from 5th to 15th October, with an additional opportunity to vote in person at our community event on 14th October. In total, 390 local people took part.

Here’s how the vote went:

• Studio Repairs, Bledlow Ridge Primary School, 182 votes
• Village shop accessibility improvements, 122 votes
• Bledlow Ridge Village Hall solar energy storage, 107 votes
• West Wycombe Preschool outdoor space, 105 votes
• Digital Futures Lab, 96 votes
• New benches for The Boot, 94 votes
• Bulb planting initiative, Bledlow Ridge, 84 votes

Funding was allocated in order of popularity, with the highest-voted projects funded first. With additional funding identified to also support the fourth-placed project, we’re delighted to confirm that Studio Repairs, the village shop, Village Hall solar storage and West Wycombe Preschool will all receive funding.

It was a genuinely close contest, and the strength of feeling behind every single project made this a difficult pot to stretch far enough. Digital Futures Lab, The Boot’s benches and the bulb planting initiative weren’t funded this time, despite real community support, and we’d encourage all three to apply again in a future round. More details on timing for the programme in 2027 will be published in the near future.

We want to thank everyone who applied, everyone who voted, and everyone who came along to the community event. This programme only works because local people show up for it, and we’ll be sharing updates on each funded project as the work gets underway.