A wind farm located between Longtown and Gretna has recently reached a significant milestone in its community grant program. The Beck Burn Wind Farm, operated by EDF Renewables UK, has paid over £1m in grants to the local community since its inception in 2017.
The wind farm consists of nine turbines that generate enough electricity to power 18,000 homes. As part of the project, EDF Renewables UK agreed to pay £155,250 annually to community projects within a 10-kilometre radius. The grant fund, administered by the Cumbria Community Foundation, has now surpassed the £1m mark with a recent £10,300 grant to the Springfield & Gretna Green Community Asset Trust for the replacement of windows at Stormont Hall in Gretna Green.
Simon Ling, Asset Manager for Beck Burn Wind Farm, expressed his excitement about reaching this milestone, stating, “It’s wonderful to see such a significant milestone be reached. We are thrilled to see such worthy projects receive funding to enhance the lives of those living in and around Longtown and Gretna and look forward to hearing more over the coming months.”
One of the largest beneficiaries of the grant program is the Raydale Community Partnership, which has received a total of £85,000 since 2018. This not-for-profit organization was formed following the collapse of Gretna FC and has used the grants to purchase the club’s ground, Raydale Park, for community use. The funds have gone towards the creation of a 3G multi-discipline sports pitch, a fitness and leisure space, and new changing rooms.
Stuart Rome, Facilities Manager at Raydale Community Partnership, expressed his gratitude for the support, stating, “Gretna has lacked a safe space for children and teenagers to participate in sports. We now have more than 250 users of our facilities. We’re grateful for EDF Renewables UK’s support for the mental and physical wellbeing of our community. We couldn’t have done what we’ve done without them.”
In Cumbria, the Longtown Memorial Hall and Community Centre has also benefitted from the grant program, receiving £28,000 with an additional £20,000 just awarded. Centre Manager Steph Graham shared that the grant will go towards renovating the reception area, making it more inviting with a community café and a seated area for people to gather and use the free wi-fi.
The Beck Burn Wind Farm Community Fund prioritizes grants for volunteer-led or community groups within a five-kilometre radius, but groups up to 10 kilometres away can also apply if they deliver benefits in the five-kilometre area. These grants support charitable, community activities that are environmental, educational, sporting, or community-related. Grant awards are typically between £1,000 and £20,000 and can be for multiple years.
A portion of the fund is specifically designated for education and training grants for individuals over 16 living within certain parish/community councils. Lisa Blackwell, Grants and Programmes Officer at Cumbria Community Foundation, highlighted the importance of this fund, stating, “This fund provides a valuable, long-term, sustainable and reliable source of income for local communities.”
For more information about the Beck Burn Wind Farm Community Fund and the education and training bursaries, interested parties can contact Lisa Blackwell at 01900 825760 or via email at grants@cumbriafoundation.org.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.