Berry Burn generates total of nearly £62,000 for wider area projects
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TWO Forres-based beneficiaries are being awarded a total of £21,000 for local projects.
Forres Heritage Trust and Nick Molnar are two of the seven groups and individuals to win backing in the nineteenth round of Berry Burn wind farm Community Fund awards.
Fund chairwoman Jana Hutt confirmed grants totalling £61,789 will finance the projects spread across designated areas in Moray and the Highlands, bringing the total contribution to local to date from Berry Burn to £1,132,030.
She said: "We realise that is a very difficult time for our communities and we are pleased have supported individuals, families and community organisations both through our regular funding and the Covid-19 Emergency Fund."
The Berry Burn Community Fund's emergency fund of £6000 helps front-line community groups and voluntary organisations in the area deliver services during the pandemic. Groups eligible to apply are community and voluntary organisations at the frontline, providing services such as preparing and delivering food, co-ordinating delivery of essential supplies, providing befriending services, and practical support for those with mental health challenges. The emergency fund will cease at the end of July.
However, the support awarded in this latest round of Community Funding is: Forres Heritage Trust - £20,000 to carry out restoration and repair work to the outside of Forres Tolbooth; Nick Molnar - £11,100 to eradicate invasive laurel and rhododendron, creating a new area of attractive woodland in Forres for public access; Moray School Bank - £15,000 to provide school uniforms for children living in poverty in the area; Cairngorms Orchestra - £5,400 to buy three timpani (kettledrums); Moray Concert Brass £4,109 to buy percussion instruments; The Grantown Society £3,680 to purchase two portable water bowsers and 30 hanging baskets to enhance Grantown-on-Spey’s street floral displays; and Marie Curie Moray and Strathspey - £2,500 towards nursing services.
The Berry Burn Community Fund 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.
The fund is overseen by 11 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.
This annual budget is spread over three awards rounds held during the year.
The closing date for the next round is September 21, with decisions due to be made at the awards meeting for round 20 on October 26.
All details of how to apply, application forms and contact details for the administrator can be found at www.berryburncommunityfund.co.uk.
