2025 Annual Report
2025 was the 13th year - 'lucky for some'- when no fewer than 25 successful applications for grants from the community fund set up by RES (Renewable Energy Systems) saw a total of almost £700.000 being reached since it was instituted in 2012.
Last year a total of £62,100 was distributed to organisations in the designated territory encompassing, Largs, Cumbrae and Fairlie.
Chairman Mr Alistair Green, who is one of the original directors, said:
“Once again we had an impressive, interesting, ambitious and diverse range of applications from across the local communities which we unanimously agreed to support. Having exceeded £700,000 in total grants since the Kelburn Windfarm Trust was formed 13 years ago we are pleased to have opened up the 2026 fund".
From Largs the applications included:
The highest award of £9k to the international Viking Festival to support its ongoing voluntary efforts boosting both community involvement and tourism; and £2500 for the Green Futures project creating allotments and a woodland school. There were generous grants for Showworks Theatre Group for new equipment to develop youth drama, Barrfields Theatre Users Group for new microphones and new applicant, Largs Young Voices to run youth choirs and free performances.
Other new applicants included the Dementia Friendly group to run activities for Alzheimer causes; Largs Pickleball Club. the SWRI, and the Ellen McArthur Cancer Trust for their local courses. We also donated to the Royal British Legion's maintenance of the town war memorial.
In Fairlie, the Community Association received £4000 for the energy saving heating of the village hall. Fairlie School Parents Council were given £5k to develop their environmental projects for pupils and another new applicant, Abbey Orchard, received £4k to help set up their ambitious voluntary green proposals.
From Millport; the Community Garden improvements were supported, and the newly refurbished and reopened Town Hall received £3000 for their kitchen. Cumbrae Community Development Company were given a £3k grant for defibrillators at Garrison House.
There were also grants for local sporting organisations and Largs Boys' Brigade.
Community Fund Administrator Drew Cochrane commented:
“In 13 years we have made more than 230 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.”
Directors of the Kelburn Wind Farm Initiative are:
Alistair Green – Chairman; Joan Rae, Pauline Green, 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 2025 please click here.