Grantown gets wind farm lifts

Nearly £50,000 of funding for strath projects has been announced in the latest round of awards by the Berry Burn Community Fund.

At one of the beneficiaries, Grantown Remakery, project manager Pete Carson celebrated that improvements were on their way.

The charity has managed to find the cost of foam insulation for the outer walls itself but this latest award will help with energy costs.

Mr Carson said: " I’m delighted to announce that our development manager George Livingstone has been successful in securing a grant of £7,500 which is part of the funding needed to instal an air pump to update the heating in the shop at 44 High Street.

"We’re thrilled and so pleased that his own success record continues to rise. Now in our fourth year, the Remakery goes from strength to strength."

Other local awards from the cashpot are:

* Grantown Initiative: £20,000 for refurbishment of Burnfield Public Toilets.

* Grantown YMCA Community Centre: £8248 for installation of LED lighting and energy efficient infra-red heaters.

* Strathspey Rovers Junior FC: £3604 for scout hut storage facility improvement.

* Strathspey Camanachd £2000 towards the cost of pitch lettings and use of changing rooms for match days and pitch lettings for training sessions in 2023.

* Grantown Try-Tri: £2,000 for hire of a race timing system, produce sustainable medals and assist with pool/venue hire for the 2023 triathlon.

* Grantown Society: £1500 towards funding the Fiddler of Strathspey Festival 2023

Overall, the latest round brings the total contribution to date towards local causes in the catchment area to £1.65m.

Chair of the fund, Dr Jana Hutt, said: "I am delighted at the number and range of projects the fund has been able to support this round. We congratulate the groups and individuals who are contributing to the community in our area."

The fund receives an index-linked annual budget of £234,844 from international renewables company Statkraft, whose 29-turbine Berry Burn wind farm lies between Forres and Grantown.

The fund is overseen by 11 volunteer fund members in the community council areas including Grantown, and Cromdale and Advie.

The next awards meeting is June 12, with the closing date for applications May 8.

More details at www.berryburncommunityfund.co.uk