2023 Annual Report

There were 21 successful applications for grants from the community fund set up by RES (Renewable Energy Systems) which has exceeded more than half a million pounds since it was instituted in 2012.

For 2023 a total of £61,320 was distributed to organisations in the designated territory encompassing, Largs, Cumbrae and Fairlie.  Chairman Mr Alistair Green said:

“We had an impressive, interesting and varied range of applications from across the local communities which we unanimously agreed to support once again. Projects included environmental work, energy saving and social sustainability.”

From Largs the applications included the highest award of £7k to the Viking Festival to help fund the traditional week of events; and a first ever grant of £5000 for St Columba’s Episcopal Church to modernise a much used and needed community hall. There were also £5000 grants for the new Green Futures gardening group to create allotments in Largs, and another new recipient, Cairnie’s Quay group for major improvements to the historic promenade slipway.

In Fairlie the school Parents Council received £5000 for an ambitious eco initiative in and around the village campus. Fairlie Community Association were awarded £1500 for upgrading the village hall while the Upbeats Choir were first time recipients to support their outreach concerts.

The island of Cumbrae benefitted to the tune of more than £8000 shared by the Sonoro Choir, a new Millport Classic Cars weekend and £5000 towards the major renovation of the town hall.

Community Fund Administrator Drew Cochrane commented:

“In 12 years we have made more than 250 awards to worthy community led projects across the area. This is entirely due to the generosity and support of both the wind farm owner TRIG and RES, who undertake the day-to-day management of the Kelburn Wind Farm.”

Members of the Kelburn Wind Farm Initiative are:
Alistair Green – Chairman; Joan Rae, Elisabethe Marshall, Patricia Nicol, Alan Hill, David Hannah, Rev. Graham McWilliams and David Boyle (Treasurer). Administrator – Drew Cochrane.

To see a full list of awards made in 2023 please click here.