Montrose people tell community council how Seagreen micro-grants it allocated have powered positive local projects
Montrose community project members have described how Seagreen Community Benefit micro-grants allocated by Montrose Community Council have enabled them to make positive changes for local people.
The Seagreen Community Benefit Fund has been established to benefit communities in Angus who have some impact from the construction and operations of the Seagreen offshore wind farm. In total, £1.8m will be invested in local projects in the community council areas of Montrose, Carnoustie, Tealing, Murroes & Wellbank, Arbroath and Ferryden & Craig. Each area will receive £250,000 for legacy projects in their area with local people deciding what’s important to them.
Seagreen has also committed to providing micro-grant funding annually over five years to these areas for smaller projects delivered by local groups. So far, £18,000 has been made available to local groups in Montrose through two tranches of micro-grants, with the primary areas receiving funds being community-focused or charitable activities which enhance the environment, conservation and biodiversity, improve community spaces, facilities and services, promote health and well-being or promote sustainability.
In March, Montrose Community Council was allocated its second tranche of £9,000 to provide micro-grants to 18 eligible local projects. Each received £500 and representatives of most came to Montrose Playhouse on November 26 for a reception hosted by the community council for them to network and share what they’ve done with the funding.
After being welcomed by community council Chair, Councillor Ross Thomson, a member from each group present talked everyone through what they’d achieved so far as well as future plans.
They included NEWSolutions CIC Director, Gail Penman, who explained how the funding helped it support young people with monitoring and managing their own emotions and mental health with fun family forest sessions featuring a crow puppet called Colin.
John Barlow from Montrose Hope Paton Bowling Club talked about bringing young people into the sport with initiatives funded with the cash, while Claire Adam from Montrose Rugby Club’s Community Sports RAP Project presenting about its efforts to get more young people into sport.
Allan Hogg of Montrose Men’s Shed (GEMS) explained how its micro-grant has part-funded its planning application for a purpose-built facility next to Roselea FC’s ground to help men who need social connection and purpose outside mainstream hobbies, while Anne Tulley from Philos Friendship Café described how it’s working to reduce loneliness in the community.
Chair Ross Thomson detailed Montrose Burns Club’s plans to create a website and Burns heritage trail, while Vice Chair David Paton explained how a new picture hanging system at Montrose Playhouse will enable it to host exhibitions.
The others groups awarded micro-grants so far were: Borrowfield Community Centre: Santa Clause for Montrose, MYPlace – Montrose; Montrose Football Legends Fundraising Group; Montrose Tennis Club; Poppy Scotland Montrose Team; Montrose Out of School Enterprise (Moose Club); Montrose Sports Association, Home-Start Angus; Union Park Community Hub; Hope Paton Bowling Club; Montrose YMCA Community Hub; Montrose Merpro Football Club; Montrose Burns Club; Debra Charity Music & Food Festival; Montrose Befriending Service; Montrose Pump Track Project; Montrose and District Athletics Club; Montrose Roselea Junior Football Club; Angus Bookfest; Montrose Community Trust; Montrose Town Band and Montrose Youth 2013 Football Team.
Further rounds of micro-grant funding will be run by Montrose Community Council over the next three years. The application form can be downloaded from the community Council Facebook Page or collection in person from Crawford Architecture at 72 New Wynd. Montrose.
Speaking about the event and grants, Chair Ross Thomson said: “Montrose Community Council are delighted to bring together so many of the local groups who have benefited from Seagreen funding. It is wonderful to hear about the positive impact that the Seagreen micro-grants are having in Montrose and we also want to thank each group for the massive contribution they are making to improving the lives of individuals in our community."
“It has also given each of the organisations the chance to connect and perhaps work together on future projects. Montrose Community Council is extremely grateful to Seagreen for the £18,000 it’s already donated to local groups and the further £27,000 agreed over the next three years.”
For more about local projects supported by Montrose Community Council, go to its Facebook page at facebook.com/montrosecommunitycouncil