Two community funds administered by WREN (Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network) have awarded a total of over £64,000 to 32 community groups and projects.

The St Breock Wind Farm community fund, provided by REG Power Management, awarded £55,348 to community groups in Wadebridge, Egloshayle, St Breock, Withiel, St Wenn, St Issey and St Columb. The biggest beneficiary was St Wenn Community Fund which receives £10,000 for the purchase of St Wenn village field.

Other awards supported the arts (Cornwall Folk Festival, Bikelights 2019, Choral Society, Ruthern Valley Players and others), installation and support of defibrillators in villages, renewable energy at St Wenn School, new road signs and replacement public seating in St Breock and the move of Camel CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) to Treraven Farm. In all, 26 groups and projects benefitted.

The awards were decided by committees representing each of the parishes and towns. This is the fourth year that the fund has supported local groups.

The £9,000 WREN fund was introduced this year, targeted at environmental and sustainability projects in the Padstow and Wadebridge Community Network area. The awards are funded by CleanEarth Energy Ltd of Wadebridge.

Camel CSA was awarded £2,900 to relocate and refurbish its off-grid solar PV panels and system. Polzeath Marine Conservation Group receives £1,700 to improve and enlarge the educational space at its centre. Four other groups receive smaller amounts. St Issey in Bloom will improve a school kitchen garden. The Friends of Wadebridge Primary will enable conservation and wildlife projects for the school playground. Wadebridge School will buy a Trommel – a micro-plastics beach cleaning device – to use in an educational project on Polzeath beach. CINNG (Community Invasive Non-Native Species Group) will run workshops to encourage social prescribing in wildlife conservation.

Full details can be found here.

23rd March 2019