Kelburn Windfarm Trust has now given out a quarter of a million pounds to local organisations in Largs, Fairlie and Cumbrae the annual awards night at Woodhouse Hotel was told last week.

Trust chairman Drew Cochrane congratulated representatives of 20 groups who are benefitting from almost £49,000 in grants this year, the money provided by RES (Renewable Energy Systems) who operate wind turbines on the Kelburn estate.

After a welcome from Trust Administrator, Professor Tony Meehan, former Largs 'News' editor Mr Cochrane said: “Once again we have had an impressive and diverse range of applications which we unanimously agreed to support. From Largs the applications ranged from The Boys’ Brigade, Youth Theatre, Gymnastics Club, The Viking Festival and Barrfields Theatre Users Group. In Fairlie we are supporting the Community Association and the Fairlie Primary Parents group. Cumbrae sought support for the Tourist Association, Cumbrae Parish Church and the new choral group, SONORO to name but three.

"We decided to award the biggest grants of £6000 each to the Viking Festival which endeavours to be bigger and better every year, and to Largs BB towards the purchase of a much-needed and much-used community mini bus."

There was a total of 25 applications seeking in excess of £90,000 and the voluntary trust members apply guidelines such as 'social sustainability' to their decisions.

Mr Cochrane added: “In the six years of making awards we have distributed in excess of £250,000 through 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. The good news is that community grants are guaranteed for the next 19 years and, of course, organisations can apply every two years."

On behalf of the recipients Mr Michael Bertram of Cumbrae Community Development Company expressed thanks to RES and the Kelburn Windfarm Trust for the generous grants.

The picture shows recipients with some of the Windfarm Trust members at the Woodhouse Hotel, Largs.