Handouts on offer at double

The community fund created by the bosses of the 10-turbine Langhope Rig wind farm, near Ashkirk, has reopened after being put on hold for over a year on ice.

That hold-up means twice as much money as the usual £40,000 a year is now available to community groups in Ettrick, Yarrow, Lilliesleaf, Ashkirk, Midlem and Borthwick Water and Upper Teviot.

The fund last splashed the cash in May 2015, but it was put on the back-burner after that due to General Electric subsidiary ESF Anemoi UK taking over from Scottish Southern Energy as operator of the site, with Foundation Scotland appointed to administer it.

The Langhope Rig wind farm was sold by SSE in March last year.

A spokesperson for EFS Anemoi said: “We are delighted that the fund can open again so local community groups and charities can apply for grants.

“The fund exists to provide much-needed financial help to local good causes, and we are very keen to see funds helping projects succeed.”

Community groups can apply for funding to help with their running costs, paying for new equipment and maintenance of premises.

Gordon Harrison, chairman of Ettrick and Yarrow Community Council, said: “We are delighted that Foundation Scotland has reopened the Langhope Rig Community Benefit Fund and very pleased to see that more than £80,000 will be available this year for projects that will help our communities.

“The fund has already assisted several projects which have improved the lives of people living in our area.

“We are confident community groups will be able to come up with many creative ideas that will further benefit our communities’.

Previous projects to benefit from the fund include Selkrik Tennis Club and Children First at the Ettrick Family Support Centre.

Decisions on how the find will be divided out will be made by an advisory panel in March.

The deadline for applications is Friday, January 13 .

Applications can be made via foundationscotland.org.uk