Carraig Gheal Wind Farm
What difference is the fund making to local communities?
Since the inception of the Carraig Gheal Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund in October 2013, a total of £449,650 has been paid into the fund by GreenPower
There have been 84 approved micro grant applications totalling over £25,700. The micro grant scheme awards grants of up to £250 which is available to individuals, constituted and non-constituted groups. These applications are decided by the Community Council where the applicant is based in. For the financial year 2023/24 only this has been increased to a maximum of £500.
To date, 69 main grants have been approved by the Steering Group totalling over £350,900. The main grant scheme awards grants of up to £10,000 and are available to constituted groups only. The Steering Group meets at least twice a year to decide which of the main grant applications will be funded and is made up of members from the five community council areas bordering the wind farm.
A summary of main and micro grants awarded shows the diverse nature of the projects where our grants have helped projects to go forward. Below are some further details of just some of these projects......
Bridge of Orchy Village Hall four grants have been awarded to Bridge of Orchy Village Hall for specific projects working towards the total renovation of the hall. These have included the replacement of windows, a new heating system, totally new flooring and a new fire escape. A total of £200,000 has been raised for the hall, kickstarted by GreenPower’s initial grant.
In times when rural isolation is increasing and the demographic slide is towards urban living and away from the countryside, Carraig Gheal Community Fund is pleased to be able to support the community in Bridge of Orchy and has been the largest independent funder. The rejuvenation of the virtually unusable village hall has bought the community together in a common cause and now provides a community hub for everyone to use. It has new windows and insulation, a new kitchen and toilets and provides a meeting space and drop in centre for locals and visitors alike. The hall also plays an important role in the Bridge of Orchy Community Resilience Plan providing a place of shelter in the event of an emergency. For further information read the case study here.
North Argyll Volunteer Car Scheme (NAVCS) was awarded £5,967 in 2019 towards the cost of their scheme which organises volunteer drivers to use their own cars to help people who are unable to use public transport to access essential services and social events. The scheme covers the Community Council areas of Seil, Luing, Kilninver and Kilmelford, Glenorchy and Innishail, Taynuilt, Kilchrenan and Dalavich. In 2022 the Steering Group also unanimously agreed to award NAVCS £2,000 from the remaining micro grant funds that had not been spent for that year. For further information read the case study here.
Between Dalavich Improvement Group and Dalavich Social and Recreational Club, a number of grants have been received to assist with the upgrade of the Dalavich Village Hall and surrounding areas. This has ranged from electrical work, a play park for toddlers, hall refurbishment and installation of a stove in the bar area to installing storage sheds and upgrading the car park. For further information read the case study here.
_edited.jpg)
Kilmore and Kilbride Hall has benefited from a number of grants towards upgrading the hall including installation of a new kicthen, insulation, replacing existing windows and doors and painting and currounding groundworks. For further information read the case study here.
Kilchrenan Village Hall now has a defibrillator thanks to an award of just over £3,000. The defibrillator is located for easy access on the external wall of the village hall providing vital lifesaving equipment in this very isolated area. Locals were also shown how to use it by the local medical professional. The Village Hall which was established in 1935 was granted charity status in 2005 and is run entirely by volunteers.
Kilmelford and Kilninver Village Hall received a grant of £7000 to install solar panels on the roof, helping to ensure that the hall’s electricity bills are kept as low as possible.
Lorn Organic Growers received a grant of nearly £2500 to enable them to repair and improve their six polytunnels to make them weatherproof and resilient to the Scottish weather. Established in 2013, Lorn Organic Growers took over a previously used site in order to develop a community resource where people can grow a whole range of organic produce in a co-operative environment. It allows the current 35 members and their families to grow vegetables that are otherwise not possible to grow in Argyll and also provides growing space for people with no gardens or growing space of their own, especially important as there are no allotments within 50 miles of Oban. They carried out the work themselves which benefited the group through the sharing and learning of new skills. An additional grant of £250 has also been awarded towards the cost of a composting toilet.
Glenorchy and Innishail Community Orchard and Woodland Garden received over £2400 which will enable the group to lay pathways and construct a secure timber clad store. The beautiful tranquil garden and orchard on the river bank near to Glenorchy Church is used by many groups and individuals including the local school and pre-school group.
Taynuilt Village Hall has been awarded £1350 to fund an upgraded and more efficient heating system which will enable the hall to be used throughout the year by various community groups.