Local Club Bowled Over By Wind Energy Donation

OnPath Energy Press releases

A bowling club at the heart of an East Ayrshire community have become a lot more energy efficient – thanks to a generous grant from the Banks Community Fund.

Auchinleck Bowling Club The Banks Community Fund, has provided a £4,850 grant to Auchinleck Outdoor Bowling Club to replace its leaky, drafty and worn windows with new double glazing.

Thanks to the grant, the energy efficiency and appearance of the clubhouse has now been improved.  It will also mean lower fuel bills going forward.

Steven Guthrie, Club Secretary at Auchinleck Outdoor Bowling Club, said;

“The donation from Banks couldn’t have come at a better time as the windows were long overdue a replacement.

“The hinges had completely rotted away, and had been steaming up and leaking whenever it rained, not to mention the fact that they were an absolute eyesore.  

“The club is a real hub of the community that attracts numerous clubs and societies in addition to hosting visiting bowling clubs from across the country.

“It has also enjoyed a long history as a venue for fundraising events including race nights, bingo nights and dances which has helped raise money for causes that are important to the people of Auchinleck.

“We hope the new windows will help improve the look of the building as well as making it a much more cost efficient way to keep our club warm and we can’t thank Banks enough for its generosity.”

Banks Renewables has won widespread local support with its proposals for a community partnership at High Cumnock, which will yield 2.5% of the wind farm revenues to support community projects in the local area – up to £4.8million over the 25 year lifetime of the project.Auchinleck Bowling Club

The community will also be offered the chance to purchase an equity share option up to 5%, with the revenues generated being directed into worthwhile local projects, including job creation and training schemes, apprenticeships and business start up grants.

Banks Renewables has also been praised by local businesses for its encouragement to local contractors to apply for a significant share of the construction project.

Colin Anderson, director at Banks Renewables, said:

“It is great to see our community fund benefiting so many groups in and around our proposed High Cumnock Wind Farm.

“Auchinleck Bowling Club is one of many in the local area that have produced stars in the sport and create a real focus for community activity, which is why we are pleased that our community fund has been able to support this much needed work.’

“We greatly appreciate the support we’ve received from local people throughout our consultation over the plans for High Cumnock Community Wind Farm and this has directly shaped the final community partnership proposal for this important project.

“If the scheme is approved it will bring a host of other benefits to the area over the next 25 years by creating opportunities for local businesses and the possibility of investing in local job creation and training schemes.”

Other benefits, if the scheme is approved, will include a host of ecology and wildlife enhancements, including extensive woodland and hedgerow planting and the creation of 5.8km of new recreational tracks.

To register your support for the High Cumnock Wind Farm please visit: http://www.banksgroup.co.uk/high-cumnock/support-high-cumnock/

The Banks Community Fund was established in 1997 and provides support to community groups, environmental projects and voluntary organisations which are close to current or proposed Banks Group developments, ensuring that the local community reap the benefits from its presence in the area. Since its beginnings it has granted £2.7 million in grants and benefited more than 80,000 people.

Banks Renewables is part of the Banks Group (www.banksgroup.co.uk), a family firm founded in 1976, which now employs over 400 people in the renewable energy, property and mining sectors.