Big benefits for community

Many groups in the area receive funding from the Ewe Hill 16

THE delivery of digital skills in Langholm and a new kitchen for Ewes hall are just two of the projects to be aided by the Ewe Hill 16 windfarm community benefit fund.
The Langholm Initiative was delighted to receive the news that its proposed digital skills project was awarded £12,500 by the fund.

This will help support its plans to deliver volunteer-led digital skills sessions for older people, introduce young people to the exciting world of digital careers, and support the fantastic businesses in Langholm with improving their digital marketing ability. A spokesperson said: “We want to make sure Langholm does not miss out on the benefits of the digital age. “The importance of the project’s objectives is gaining recognition both nationally and regionally through our Building Our Digital Future report, available at bit.ly/digital-langholm. “It is clear, now more than ever, that digital skills are essential for everyone.
“Our trustees are busy trying to secure the rest of the funding needed for this project to take off. “Although much of the Initiative’s work is suspended during lockdown, we look forward to supporting people in our community as soon as we can.”

The Ewes hall regeneration plan received £16,500 and Aileen Cavers, representing the committee, said: “We asked for that sum but this is the second time we have applied. “Our bid was deferred last year. We needed to secure match-funding and get up-to-date quotes. “The grant is mainly to refurbish the kitchen which is not fit for purpose and, possibly, to improve the heating so it’s more energy efficient. “The electric heaters in the ceiling are quite elderly and hungry and we have to supplement them with portable gas heaters.”

Other groups in Eskdale to benefit: The Buccleuch Centre got £11,250 to employ a marketing and programming support co-ordinator for two years; the Langholm Alliance was awarded £14,000 to employ a project assistant to help with its community plan; Canonbie green bowling club received £2,340 to replace the clubhouse roof; OutPost Arts was awarded £5,000 for its Next Steps project; £6,000 went to Langholm Pipe Band for uniforms and accoutrements; and Muckle Toon Media, which owns the E&L Advertiser, received £15,000 for its Going Digital: A Sustainable Future for our Community Newspaper. David Stevenson, chairman of Muckle Toon Media CIC said
“These grants make a huge contribution to the sustainability of so many vital community organisations and are much appreciated by the recipients”.