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Tuesday 11th February 2014 - LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS RECIEVE FUNDING FROM MEIKLE CAREWE WIND FARM

Twelve local groups have been awarded grants following the first funding application process for RES’ Community Benefit Fund at Meikle Carewe Wind Farm, near Netherley in Aberdeenshire. The annual fund of £20,500 was set up by RES following the completion of Meikle Carewe Wind Farm, and is managed by Kincardine and Mearns Area Partnership (KMAP).

The Community Benefit Fund is open to applications from groups and projects which benefit the communities living in the community council areas of Crathes, Drumoak and Durris; Newtonhill, Muchalls & Cammachmore; North Kincardine Rural; Portlethen and District; and Stonehaven and District. KMAP supports a panel of representatives from each of the five community council areas to make decisions on funding applications.

Isabella Williamson, KMAP, commented:

“Representatives of the Community Council’s covered by the fund took considerable time during the construction period of the wind farm agreeing the criteria and application process for the fund. It was wonderful to see everything come together with this first round and that there were a good and diverse number of groups applying and receiving funding. We also learned a few lessons from the process which we will implement in the next round in 2014.”

Rachel Anderson, RES, commented:

“RES is delighted to see the first payments made at Meikle Carewe Wind Farm. We believe that communities who host our projects should receive tangible benefits and the community fund is one way through which we can deliver them. Decisions on community funds should be made by the community, and it has been fantastic to see this in action at Meikle Carewe supported by KMAP and the five community councils.”

The following grants were awarded:

  • Friends of Durris £3680 – for the creation of a new pond, board walk, planting of native flora and educational resources.
  •  Newtonhill Bettridge Centre £1885.53 – funding to set up a fortnightly soft play activity.
  • Skateraw Hall Committee £4759 – funding to upgrade the heating system.
  • Maryculter Driving for Disabled £1000 – to support the upkeep of one of its horses.
  • Maryculter Community Hall Association £800 – funding to support the painting of the hall and changing rooms.
  • 1st Maryculter Scout Group £550 – to purchase new heaters for the hall.
  • South Deeside Under 5’s £2000 – to purchase safety equipment.
  • Friends of Cookney Hall £1525.47 – funding for a new heating system.
  • Stonehaven Horizon Project £800 – to purchase barrels and flowers to decorate historic buildings in Stonehaven.
  • Stonehaven Running Club £500 – to provide First Aid cover for the 2014 Stonehaven Half Marathon.
  • Stonehaven & District Talking Newspaper £1000 - to purchase new memory sticks and microphones.
  • Mearns Community Radio £2,000 – to fund a new portable FM recording studio

Details on the application process and deadlines for the 2014 round of funding will be made available by KMAP in due course.