BLACKHILL WINDFARM COMMUNITY FUND REPORT

At the recent meeting of the Directors of the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund four new grants were agreed, bringing to almost £30,000 the total grants awarded over the past six months to local groups and good causes.

The Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund Ltd is a charitable organisation funded by Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES), the operators of the Blackhill Windfarm situated just north of Hardens Hill, to the north of Duns.  The Grant Funding Agreement with RES generates funds through the performance and productivity of the RES Windfarm.  
Our aim is to aid community projects within the Community Council areas of Abbey St Bathans, Bonkyl & Preston; Lammermuir; Duns; and Gavinton, Fogo and Polwarth. 
In August A Heart for Duns was awarded £4,750 towards their on-going excellent work in trying to secure the future of the Volunteer Hall as a community asset. In the most recent allocations both Borders Talking Newspapers and South Lammermuir Riding Club received grants, along with a grant to Berwickshire Wheels to help pay for the purchase of a new minibus, and funding for upgrading of the facilities and equipment at Duns Swimming Club through Berwickshire Recreation Education Sports Trust. These five grants will deliver benefits to a wide range of people from our local area.
The fund is managed by a Board of Directors representing each Community Council and one Director from RES.  We also have a number of Directors who do not represent Community Councils and we are currently looking to appoint another two Directors.  If you would be interested in joining our Board of Directors please get in touch.  
The board of directors meet 4 times a year.  Applications received are reviewed at the following quarterly meeting.  Action from that meeting is then passed to applicants.   Not only does our funding provide support but it also brings in other sources of financial support.  Our aim is to always proactively fund projects that have a positive long term effect on our community.  We welcome all applications for grant funding and application forms can be found on our website www.blackhillcommunityfund.co.uk.  
 If you would like to find out more about the Blackhill Windfarm Community Fund Ltd you can either visit our website at www.blackhillcommunityfund.co.uk or contact our fund administrator Sharon Cleghorn on shz_conroy@yahoo.co.uk.