2024 beneficiaries
COMMUNITY groups in East Loch Lomond have received awards totalling more than £31,500 from a local community hydro society.
Second year profits from Buchanan Community Hydro Society (BCHS) have meant that the community benefit company (bencom) has been able to support sixteen initiatives proposed by six community groups.
BCHS was commissioned in July 2022 with financial surpluses earmarked to support projects within the Stirlingshire parish of Buchanan – from Rowardennan in the north and taking in Balmaha, Milton of Buchanan, Buchanan Smithy and Buchanan Castle Estate to the south.
The second year of operation has brought the total awards made by the society’s community benefit fund to over £50,000.
The 2024 beneficiaries include Buchanan Sheep Dog Society which received £1,468 for gates. Thanking BCHS for the award Walter McAllister says: "The gates have already been a huge help allowing the sheep to be safely and securely penned up at our annual sheepdog trials."
The Buchanan sheepdog trial is an important event in the farming events calendar attracting entrants and visitors from all over Scotland.
A new community group formed in the wake of Church of Scotland's decision to close Buchanan church has been awarded £6,240 for a feasibility study to look into community ownership and potential uses for the building.
Maureen Saunders – one of the group's organising committee – says: “As a newly formed trust, one of our main aims is to secure this building as a community asset, for the community to use now and in the future.“
Buchanan Memorial Hall received three awards totalling £16,550 for flooring, decoration and a feasibility study into the future use of the hall.
“The awards received from BCHS are helping – and hopefully will continue to help – the hall committee to improve the facilities available in the hall,” says committee chair Sheena McAllister.
“We hope to start the feasibility study as soon as possible which will advise us of the options for the hall’s future.”
East Loch Lomond Community Trust (ELLCT) submitted four successful applications totalling £1,600.
“Last year’s Christmas tree and lights switch on event was such a success that we felt we should repeat it this year,” says ELLCT secretary Margaret McDonald. “That’s been made possible thanks to our award from BCHS which is also allowing us to organise an end of summer community picnic.”
The ELLCT’s awards also include help towards hosting and maintenance of its website, stationery expenses and general running costs.
A series of well-being initiatives including exercise classes, CPR sessions and a subsidised physio pop up clinic in the area attracted an award of just over £4,000.
Local resident Julie Brown who is organising the initiatives says: “The evening circuits class provides a range of opportunities for all ages and abilities – some folk might want to get moving a bit more or work on their strength, some are looking for an energy boost or to feel better, while others might want to meet new people.
“The award will allow affordable, local access to exercise as well as physio support for those suffering from pain or injury.”
Completing this year's list of awardees is Drymen, Croftamie & Buchanan Gala Day which received £2,354. Speaking on behalf of the gala day group, Louise Macfarlane says: “We’re very grateful to have received funding from BCHS.
“As this was our first post-covid event – and with the current cost of living crisis – we felt it was important to make the day as affordable to all as possible.
“Thanks to this funding we were able to provide free entertainment for all ages, a marquee in case of rain, and comfort of knowing we had first aiders on site throughout the event.”
Award applications for next year’s fund will be open in Spring 2025
