Dorenell Wind Farm Powering Community Development
Nearly £170,000 has been awarded to community projects in Moray from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
Four groups have been awarded a total of £168,106 in the most recent round of funding from Dorenell wind farm, which is owned and operated by EDF Renewables UK.
The fund supports community projects which benefit residents of Dufftown, Auchindoun, Glenrinnes, Glenlivet, Inveravon, and the Cabrach, with the aim of addressing issues and priorities identified by local residents themselves, and captured in the area’s Community Action Plan.
Awards made will help improve community facilities in Dufftown, support community development in Glenlivet and provide opportunities for young people throughout the area.
Two awards of £30,000 each were made to Mortlach Memorial Hall and Dufftown 2000 for initial phases of improvements which will see renovation work carried out to Mortlach Hall and to buildings on Conval Street, which will house a community-run Whisky Heritage Centre in Dufftown.
A three-year award of £97,106 was made to fund a community development officer in Glenlivet and Inveravon.
The development officer, Claire Filer, is employed by Tomintoul & Glenlivet Development Trust (TGDT) and plays a key role in supporting local groups and volunteers, organising events and helping to deliver major local projects, such as hall improvements and developing new community assets.
Among other things, the development officer supports the annual Tea in the Park community café at Glenlivet Hall in August.
This much-loved event will be marking its 20th anniversary this year, and TGDT received an award of £4,200 to create a short film to celebrate the landmark and create a resource to promote and help sustain the event in the future.
The final two awards are intended to create opportunities for local activities, particularly for young people. Speyside Swimming Club received £1,800 to contribute to their running costs and help children participate in swimming for health and fun, and an award of £5,000 was made to contribute to the cost of a new all-ability bike trail at Glenlivet. This will further improve local mountain biking facilities which are free to access for locals and visitors alike.
The Dorenell Wind Farm Community Fund is provided by EDF Renewables UK.
Piero Maggio, Director of Asset Operations at EDF Renewables UK said:
We really enjoy receiving updates on how the Dorenell Community Benefit Fund is put to use locally and it never ceases to amaze us how diverse and interesting the recipients are. Congratulations to all involved in such worthy and fantastic projects
Early last year, the Fund made its largest award to date from the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Fund, with £270,000 to develop a local footpath network.
This work is now underway, with an initial stretch of path improvements to link Dufftown to Aberlour. Work has included vegetation clearance, signage and a new footbridge at Hillside.
Additional funding has been secured from the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation and Moray Climate Action Fund, with some in-kind support from WG Grant & Sons distillers. Future stages will link Dufftown to Auchindoun and Bridgehaugh, Dufftown to Glenrinnes and on to Glenlivet.
Projects that benefit the communities of Dufftown, Auchindoun, Glenrinnes, Glenlivet, Inveravon or Cabrach can still apply for funding of up to £30,000 for projects and activities that are charitable in nature, community-led and that will benefit local residents. Grant awards are recommended by a panel of representatives drawn from those communities, supported by Foundation Scotland which administers the fund.
The deadlines for the EDF Renewables UK Dorenell Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund year ahead are 31st March, 31st July and 30th November.
Dorenell also provides funding for microgrant schemes which are run by each of the community associations involved in setting up and running the Fund: Cabrach Community Association; Dufftown & District Community Association; Glenlivet & Inveravon Community Association and Glenrinnes Community Centre. These microgrants allow smaller groups to apply for up to £1,000 for events, activities, equipment and projects. More information is available from local community associations.
Read more about the Dorenell Wind Farm Community Fund