By James HoreA GROUP of former soldiers is celebrating after being given a lottery award of more than £1,500.The National Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Association Colchester branch found many of its elderly members had been unable to get its monthly group meetings at the town's GoojeratBarracks.

By James Hore

A GROUP of former soldiers is celebrating after being given a lottery award of more than £1,500.

The National Malaya and Borneo Veterans' Association Colchester branch found many of its elderly members had been unable to get its monthly group meetings at the town's GoojeratBarracks.

But the group is now able to produce a comprehensive newsletter for all its 135 members, thanks to computer equipment bought with a £1,685 lottery grant.

Group chairman, Fred Burden, 69, said the latest editions of the newsletter were now bigger than ever, full of stories from the veterans who served in the Far East between 1948 and 1960.

Mr Burden, of Meadgate Avenue, Chelmsford, added: “It means we have got an office full of computer equipment and can send out the news to those who cannot attend.

“We are producing the second newsletter of the year and it will be sent out to every person. My wife Anne has been starting work on it in the evenings at 6.30pm and she works through to midnight.”

Among the other groups to benefit from the latest lottery awards were the Colchester Film Society, which received £3,500 towards portable equipment to allow screenings in rural communities.

Colchester Mini Soccer Centre Partnership was awarded £4,785 to help set up a school league offering opportunities for young people with disabilities.

Harwich and District Community Association has been given £5,000 for arts workshops, materials and equipment that will be used towards projects celebrating the history and heritage of the town.

The North Essex Astronomical Society in Braintree also received £5,000 for an observatory extension and telescope to help members to increase their skills and knowledge.

james.hore@eadt.co.uk