Bishop’s Stortford Breathe Easy Group receives donations from Hertfordshire county councillors Eric Buckmaster and Mark Pope
A sigh of relief for Bishop’s Stortford Breathe Easy Group (BSBEG) after two Hertfordshire county councillors donated £500.
The organisation, which supports residents with lung conditions, was disappointed after the Brazier Trust, administered by town councillors, rejected its application for a grant of £1,000.
The volunteers who run the group wanted the money to pay for a branding relaunch and administrative costs. The change was forced by East Herts Council’s decision to dissolve its relationship with BESBG.
A founder of the group, East Herts Council member Diane Hollebon (Con, Bishop’s Stortford South), addressed the trust at a meeting. She told them costs of £591.80 had already been identified and the balance would cover ongoing bills. Rent for its meetings on the third Thursday of each month, from 2pm to 4pm, costs £480 a year.
Cllr Mione Goldspink (Lib Dem, Thorley Manor South) said: “This is a valuable group and helps a lot of people in our town. We should support it, but I’m not sure we should give all of the money.”
Despite urging from Cllr David Jacobs (Lab, Central) to be more generous, Cllr Miriam Swainston (Lib Dem, Chantry) and Cllr Calvin Horner (Lib Dem, Thorley Manor North) said members needed more evidence of upcoming expenses, and the trust granted £591.80.
Hertfordshire county councillors Eric Buckmaster (Con, Sawbridgeworth) and Cllr Mark Pope (Con, Bishop’s Stortford Rural) have both given £250 to BSBEG to help redesign its promotional material.
Cllr Buckmaster said: “The group is volunteer-run and receives referrals from health services for people who suffer from a variety of lung conditions, including asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). It provides educational and social sessions and opportunities for gentle exercise and singing, all designed to help manage their conditions.”
Cllr Pope added: “The BSBEG has been running for 10 years. It plays a crucial role in the health and wellbeing of people with a wide range of lung conditions. I’m pleased to support this application.”
The money came from the annual £5,000 locality budget each of the 78 Herts county councillors has to promote social, economic or environmental wellbeing in their area.
Cllr Pope also granted £945 to Little Hadham Village Hall Trust to pay for film licences for nine monthly Community Cinema screenings from September 2025 to July 2026.
He said: “Activities run by our village communities not only play an important part in village life, but they are also vital in combating loneliness and isolation.”
Elsewhere in East Herts, Cllr Terry Smith (Reform, Buntingford) gave £1,000 to Buntingford Town Council for railing planters in the High Street.
He said: “The High Street has always had an extraordinary charm alongside its long history. The one thing that totally complements this is the addition of flowers.
“I really do hope this contribution towards the railing planters will go some way in generating a feel-good factor for all residents and visitors to the town.”