Berry Burn wind farm awards another £28,000 to five local projects

NATURAL energy has generated nearly another £28,000 for local projects.

The 23nd round of the Berry Burn wind farm Community Fund has awarded grants totalling £27,846 to five groups, bringing the total funding issued to causes in the Moray and Highlands to date to £1,328,804.

Community Fund chairwoman, Dr Jana Hutt, confirmed it receives an index-linked annual budget of £190,000 from international renewables company Statkraft, whose 29-turbine Berry Burn wind farm lies between Forres and Grantown-on-Spey.

She said: "We were delighted to receive a large number of applications and I congratulate all the successful applicants."

The Leanchoil Trust was awarded £11,950 to co-ordinate and collect historical assets of Leanchoil Hospital for storytelling, photography, a virtual exhibition and electronic storage.

Grant Park Bowling Club got £8,400 to replace the wooden timbers around the bowling green.

Active Schools received £3,432 to provide the Active Schools Young Leader Programme with training and hoodies.

Pistol shooting champion Lucy Evans won £2,500 for training, travel, membership fees and equipment for national and international competition.

And Moray Food Plus will use £1,564 to develop a community pantry in partnership with Forres Area Community Trust.

The fund is overseen by 11 volunteer members, living and working within its operational boundary which takes in the community council areas of Forres, East Nairnshire, Grantown-on-Spey, Cromdale and Advie, Speyside, Heldon, Findhorn and Kinloss, Finderne and Dyke Landward.

The annual budget is spread over three awards rounds held during the year.

Due to imminent retirement of members, there will be vacancies from next March.

Ms Hutt said: "I urge anybody interested to apply and help our communities to thrive."

Full details of the role and an application form can be found at www.berryburncommunityfund/documents

The closing date for applications is December 6.