RWE Lochelbank Community Fund Awards reach a quarter of a million pounds
130 grants totalling over a quarter of a million pounds have been awarded to 39 community groups and charities since the Fund launch in 2012, making a big difference in the Earn and Glenfarg communities.
From art tables to zip lines, and a whole lot in between, the A-Z of projects supported by Lochelbank Wind Farm community benefit funding make a huge difference to residents of Glenfarg and Earn. Whether it's been planters, playgrounds, paint, paths or portable goals, 130 grants have reached into most parts of community life over the last 11 years.
2023 saw the RWE Lochelbank Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund reach the milestone of awarding £250,000 since the Fund launched in 2012. Ranging from a few hundred pounds to install a water boiler in the Earn bowling club, or to install permanent community noticeboards in Earn, Forteviot and Glenfarg, right up to over £7,000 for drystone walling and paths for Brig in Bloom's Balmanno and Brickhall Community Garden project, the Fund is fuelling the work of hundreds of volunteers throughout the area.
Old and young alike have benefited from the Fund's contribution to local sports, with bowling, football, netball, tennis and triathlon clubs all receiving grants over the years - not to mention a new canoe slalom course on the river! Local arts and cultural events have also been boosted, with Glenfarg village Fete, the community cinema and some fantastic community music workshops and concerts put on by Perth Chamber Music all receiving support. The new Oudenarde Community group recently received funding for a pantomime visit, bringing residents in the new housing developments closer together.
Perhaps most visibly, the Fund has invested £96,000 in the area's vital village halls. The expansion of Glenfarg Community Centre, including purchase and renovation of the old schoolhouse, would not have been completed without the Fund. The Earn Institute's new heating system and roof refurb, the revamp of Forgandenny Village Hall and simply keeping Forteviot Village Hall running whilst Covid and inflation bit into finances, are all brilliant examples of the difference the Fund has made.
Grants to local Rainbow, Brownie, Cubs and Scout groups, as well as Bridge of Earn Nursery and Toddler groups, make sure that children and young people benefit hugely from the Fund. Cross-curricular outdoor activities at Dunbarney & Forgandenny Primary, and the traverse climbing wall at Arngask Primary, would not have been possible without the Fund. More recently, new play equipment being installed at the Green Shoots Centre in the walled garden outside Aberdalgie Church will benefit hundreds of children over years to come.
All awards are determined by a Panel of local residents, bringing local knowledge to the forefront of decision-making about applications for funding. And many projects would not have been possible without the efforts of Glenfarg and Earn Community Councillors, who've worked alongside Foundation Scotland throughout the Fund's lifetime.
Jo McKenzie, Earn Community Council has recently joined the Panel:
Although I have only recently become a member of the Lochelbank Community Fund Panel I already see what a great benefit the awards make to the local communities of Glenfarg and Bridge of Earn. It is very rewarding to be a part of the panel that helps bring about these changes.
Malcolm Jack, Community Funds Manager at Foundation Scotland, is struck by the huge volunteer effort going on in Earn and Glenfarg:
Even when you first drive into the area, the impact of the volunteers and the Fund is immediately visible. Beautiful planters and floral displays arranged by the Forgandenny in Flower, Brig in Bloom or Glenfarg & Duncrievie in Bloom groups immediately catch your eye, and you can't fail to be impressed by the new play equipment that the Friends of Wallace Park have created in Glenfarg. All of us here at Foundation Scotland are proud to have worked alongside the Panel to make sure the Fund continues to make such a big difference to community life.
With at least another decade of community benefit funding still to come, and the amounts contributed by wind farm owner RWE increasing year on year, the Fund is ready to support more big ideas to make an even greater lasting impact in the Glenfarg and Earn communities.