was submitted on April 16^th.  Secondly, the Steering Group approved a

submission to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.  This is for additional

funding quite separate from the Heritage Lottery Fund application.

If approved, the aim is to use the Countryside Stewardship grant for on going

maintenance of the Park, whilst the grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund would

be used for capital spend to get the Park up and running.

The formal submission to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme was

made before the end of March.  Ken Leggett had a meeting with the Countryside

Stewardship on the 23^rd June when details of the submission were discussed.

 At this stage, there is no guarantee that either proposal will be successful, but it

is hoped that the Park would benefit from both applications.

Also at the Steering Group meeting in March, it was agreed that in order to

legitimise these two applications, a company would need to be formed to

manage the whole project should it be successful.  The Steering Group decided

to appoint the minimum number of trustees until the outcome of the grant

applications is known.  It was also agreed that the newly formed company

would apply for charitable status.

A company called Catton Park Trust Ltd. has been formed.

It is registered as a private company and limited by guarantee.

The Trust has a company number and a bank account.

 With all of these aspects now in place, it will be possible to apply for

charitable status.

The minimum number of trustees for the private company is three.

These appointees are:-

Andrew Buxton (as the majority landowner)

David Thompson (representing Broadland District Council)

Leslie Austin (representing Norfolk County Council)

Ken Leggett has been appointed the Company Secretary.

Assuming the full grant is approved, the Steering Group will become an

Advisory Group and the Park project, and all on-going maintenance and

development of the Park, will be the responsibility of the Trust.

 There may well be several discussions with the Countryside Stewardship Scheme

and the Heritage Lottery Fund over the coming months.  A decision on the

Countryside Stewardship application is expected by September 2004.

No real news about the Heritage Lottery Fund application is expected until

October of this year.

The Heritage Lottery Fund application is in two Stages.  If Stage 1 is approved

in October 2004, the grant would be used to carry out more investigative and

detailed work relating to the Park proposal.  This would involve surveys of trees,

wildlife, topography, as well as further details about the management and

funding plans.  These detailed investigations would then be used for the full and

final Stage 2 grant application to be submitted some time around May 2005.

It is hoped that by September 2005, a decision about the full grant may be given.