Sanquhar pupils set to grant turbine cash to more local groups

Organisations across Upper Nithsdale have been given another chance to secure funding to help power their innovative community projects, thanks to enterprising youngsters at Sanquhar Academy.

Senior pupils have launched the second round of the Glenmuckloch Community Energy Park (GCEP) funding scheme – a project which provides financial assistance for public benefit to groups and organisations in the area using revenue generated by two wind turbines on a site adjacent to the Glenmuckloch surface mine, near Kirkconnel.

The young people – who have adopted the name Propel for their group – have been receiving advice from representatives from Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT), Buccleuch, Hargreaves and Dumfries and Galloway Council on the project.

A total of five organisations benefited from the first round of funding last year – Friends of Clark’s Little Ark; Upper Nithsdale Enable; Happy Hooves Equestrian Centre; Upper Nithsdale Youth Pipe Band; and Kello Rovers Football Club.

Upper Nithsdale Youth Pipe Band received £15,000 from Propel, which will be paid over three years. The funding is being used to cover the cost of professional pipe band drumming and piping tuition across three schools in the area.

Band manager Andy Williamson said: “We simply could not do this without help from Propel. “It’s not just about each individual pupil that’s learning – the musical education has a positive impact on the community as a whole.

“Learning an instrument is great for developing self-esteem, confidence, team working skills, resilience and respect for others and helps young people in subjects across the curriculum. The young people who are part of the band are community ambassadors, and that’s testament to the tuition and support they receive.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to Propel and GCEP for their support.”

The energy park accompanies the restoration work being carried out on the Glenmuckloch opencast mine site and is being delivered by four key partners – Scottish Mines Restoration Trust (SMRT), Buccleuch, Hargreaves and Dumfries and Galloway Council. Dumfries and Galloway Council and Buccleuch each contributed £50,000, SMRT £75,000, and Hargreaves £150,000.

Alan Hiddleston of Hargreaves, chair of Glenmuckloch Community Energy Park board, said: “The first round of funding was a great success and we’re already beginning to see how much of an impact the money has had on these community organisations.

“The young people continue to work very hard and their enthusiasm and dynamism is helping to drive the project forward and attract attention from groups across Upper Nithsdale.

“Providing funding to local organisations will have a demonstrable impact on the community, and shows that we are continuing to take a pragmatic approach to the restoration of the Glenmuckloch site.”

Sanquhar Academy pupil Lisa Kerr said: “It’s very exciting to launch the project for a second year. We received more than 30 applications for funding last year and choosing the successful groups was a very difficult task.

“Being part of Propel is helping me develop my organisational and team working skills and I’m really enjoying learning about all the different groups that we have here in Upper Nithsdale.

“We’re looking forward to receiving even more application this time around.”

Dumfries and Galloway Council approved plans for up to two wind turbines in a development adjacent to the surface mine in June 2014. The 30 meter high turbines are now operational.

Renewable energy developer 2020 Renewables donated its services and expertise to the community project free of charge.

The turbines have the potential to generate £2.5 million over the next 25 years. Revenues will remain with Glenmuckloch Energy Park until distributed to good causes by Propel.

Application forms are available from Sanquhar Academy. For more information on how to apply to the funding scheme, email glenmucklochcpc@outlook.com or visit www.facebook.com/glenmucklochcpc