A community cycling group in Llansannan is urging other rural organisations in Conwy to apply for £60,000 available in the latest round of windfarm funding.
Clwb Beicio Llansannan bought 13 electric bikes helped by a £7,000 grant from the Brenig Wind Farm Fund and Club organiser Huw Rawson said they’re in regular use, especially at weekends.
The closing date for applications for the latest round of funding is Wednesday, August 25, and he said: “It’s a great opportunity for local organisations to take advantage of these grants.
“It’s helped us and we’re seeing plenty of use made of these bikes, especially at weekends.
“It’s very hilly around here and without the extra help that an electric bike gives a lot of people might be put off trying cycling but the electric motor is a big help with the hills and you can have as much or as little help as you like from it – the important thing is to get out there.”
The funds from the Brenig Wind Farm Project are part of a total of £333,362 that has been distributed by Denbighshire-based rural regeneration agency Cadwyn Clwyd over the past two years.
The Brenig Wind Farm Fund is set to provide almost £4 million over 25 years for communities in the qualifying area and Brenig Wind Ltd’s David Heelan said: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for rural communities to benefit.
“Cadwyn Clwyd has already distributed well over £300,000 to over 50 different local projects in four rounds of funding to community groups for a range of different projects and helped them leverage even more.
“The applications will go before a locally-based grants panel who will make the final decisions on where and how the money is spent.”
The eligible area in Conwy and Denbighshire stretches from St Asaph in the north to Maerdy, near Corwen, in the south and from the River Clwyd in the east across the Denbigh Moors to Cerrigydrudion and the upper reaches of the Conwy Valley – a map of the area that benefits is on the Cadwyn Clwyd website.
It is funded by Brenig Wind Ltd whose 16 wind turbines can be seen turning on the Mynydd Hiraethog horizon to generate over 37.6 megawatts of power – enough to power over thirty thousand homes a year.
According to Huw Rawson the Brenig Wind funding, along with support from Sport Wales, and local and council sources, has made a massive difference to the club.
He said: “We’re really busy with the bikes from Friday evening when there’s a regular group of local ladies who go out, right through the weekend.
“It’s been very successful, and everyone loves it. We hire them out for group rides and some people borrow them to go riding themselves.
“The help from Sport Wales means we now have 13 electric bikes ranging from a couple for juniors through a step-through bike for ladies to mountain and racing bikes.”
So far in Conwy the fund has helped fund a bowling green at Llansannan, a business co-ordinator for Menter Iaith Conwy, a ride-on mower for Bro Aled Sports Society, laptops and iPads for an after-school club in Cerrigydrudion, life-saving equipment for Uwchaled First Responders and a staging system and trailer for Bro Aled Male Voice Choir.
Cadwyn Clwyd Project Manager Helen Williams said: “We have been delighted to help so many local organisations benefit from the Wind Farm Fund so far and we’re looking for many more to get bids in by the deadline.
“This is a great opportunity for local community groups and societies who need to think big and small because the money is available for a range of projects across the area.”
Details of how to apply for the latest round of funding – the deadline is Wednesday, August 25 – are also on Cadwyn Clwyd’s website at http://cadwynclwyd.co.uk/
