Callagheen Wind Farm Fund supports 14 local projects

14 local projects have received funding from the Callagheen Wind Farm Fund. The fund, administered by the Fermanagh Trust and supported by Scottish Power Renewables awards grants to community projects located with 7km of Callagheen wind farm, between Belleek and Garrison. Proposals for the fund are accepted from all aspects of community life with an emphasis on projects that have an environmental theme and/ or are linked to sustainable local activities.

One of the initiatives which received funding was Belleek Primary School’s Eco-School Project. By employing new elements of technological innovation they hope to widen the perspective of the programme from a local to a global context. The Eco-School project plans to carry out scientific investigations into the world of habitats in their own school grounds, their shared education partner’s school ground; progressing to the wider habitat of the Forthill Park where they will undertake a day of ‘forest schooling’ for the children. This will entail tree species identification, numeracy and literacy trails.

As part of the programme the school is keen to establish new links with environmental groups such as RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, the Marble Arch Caves and in particular Derrygonnelly Field Study Centre where they will visit and learn about life cycles and food chains.

Another group supported by the fund is Erne Music Club. 20 of their young members plan to produce a CD of traditional music from Fermanagh and have an official launch at the Fermanagh Fleadh in June 2014. This will be a wonderful achievement for all involved and a resource for Fermanagh music lovers. The CD will be available at Ulster and All Ireland Fleadhs allowing the group to continue to play and entertain both locally and further afield, giving them opportunities they have would not had the chance to have otherwise.

Others include Garrison Community group who received funding to go towards their Summer Youth Programme including surfing, horse riding and other activities. Belleek Preschool Playgroup and Little Smarties Playgroup will use their grant towards upgrading their equipment.

1^st Belleek Brownies, Brollagh Duke of Edinburgh Award Group and Cashel Community Association received help towards training and equipment. Funding to St John the Baptist PS will go towards an outdoor classroom and garden and St Martin’s PS have plans for a sensory garden and learning area.

Cashel Senior Citizens’ Club and Garrison Women’s Group  will receive support towards trips, tutors etc and Melvin Enterprises LTD used their funding to hold a Christmas party for senior citizens.

Lauri McCusker, Director of the Fermanagh Trust said “We are delighted to award financial support to these 14 initiatives in the Cashel, Belleek and Garrison areas. It’s fantastic to see such a range of community and educational based activity taking place in North West Fermanagh. It is a proven record of the community benefit wind farms can bring. The Callagheen Wind Farm Fund is helping to make a positive contribution to the work of all these organisations and the wider community.”

The fund will open again for applications in the autumn. For more information click here