ARTISTIC events and groups in the Basingstoke area are set to benefit as part of a six-figure county-wide cash injection.

Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for culture and recreation, has announced details of a £111,060 grant package for the 2013-14 financial year.

Hackwood Art Festival, Kala the Arts and Unravelled Arts were among 34 organisations across Hampshire to get financial backing from the county’s culture and community activity grants scheme.

From a different cashpot – the culture and recreation investment fund – The Whitchurch Silk Mill Trust was awarded £21,100.

Cllr Chapman said: “By encouraging and providing opportunities for people to participate and enjoy a range of community-focused, cultural and recreational activities, these groups play an important role in supporting our work, particularly in the current economic climate as financial pressures continue.”

The three-day Hackwood Art Festival, in Hackwood Grange, taking place from June 14-16 this year, received £3,000 grant funding. It draws in up to 5,000 people over the weekend.

Basingstoke-based South Asian dancing group Kala the Arts will get £3,050 to fund two dancers to hold 12 workshops in Basingstoke, Fleet and Eastleigh.

And Hove-based Unravelled Arts was awarded £2,000 to put on a six-month art exhibition at National Trust property The Vyne, in Sherborne St John, from June 28 to January 7, 2014.

However, the county council rejected Hart-based Scout group the 7th Bramshill Hook Scout Group’s request for £750 to install security posts at its Hook HQ.