From empty space to adventure place
In 2024, the Gordon Primary School Parent Teacher Association was awarded £13,624.69 from the Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund as a contribution to the overall project costs of £24,268.82 to install outdoor play equipment in the playground of the school.
The Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund supports charitable projects benefiting those living in the areas served by the community councils of Huntly, Strathbogie and Tap o’Noth and the area served by Cabrach Community Association. The overall purpose of the fund is to support positive change by investing in a wide range of inspirational, community-led activity in the fund area that is strategic, positive, creative and helps create a legacy of lasting impact.
This was to provide an outdoor development opportunity, helping to increase the young people’s health and wellbeing. The Gordon Primary School Parent Teacher Association in Huntly, Aberdeenshire, serves the local school community of 363 pupils. The PTA actively fundraises to provide extra resources to support learning and development in the school. The project involved purchasing and installing eleven pieces of timber playground equipment, including interactive sensory panels, balance beams, climbers, and stepping equipment. The play equipment was installed by the end of February 2025, following ground excavation and the necessary surfacing work.
The PTA conducted extensive community consultation through monthly meetings, social media engagement, and newsletters, while also collaborating with school leadership and Aberdeenshire Council's Landscape Services to decide on the right equipment needed for the play site. The project successfully transformed an empty and little-used space into an interactive play area, generating significant local media coverage and community pride.
Sarah Jane Stewart of the PTA said:
“Overall, our dream did become a reality, and each and every day we get the joy of seeing how happy the children are with the new play area.”
Read more about the Vattenfall Clashindarroch Wind Farm Community Fund