Friends Of The North Baths Received Funding For Picnic Benches, Seats And Maintenance Equipment Through The Caithness Community Fund

7th November 2023

More than 20 groups in Caithness are benefiting from the second round of awards from ScottishPower Renewables' Halsary Windfarm Community Benefit Fund, which is set to deliver £3.75 million locally over the next 24 years.

A total of £59,688.43 has been committed to 15 projects through the Caithness Community Fund. This is a county-wide fund open to projects and initiatives from across all 12 community council areas in Caithness, with decisions made by local people.

One of the groups receiving funding is Friends of the North Baths. It was awarded £4006.10 to buy picnic benches and seats as well as equipment for maintenance at the popular outdoor swimming pool on the north side of Wick Bay.

Patty Coghill, chairperson of the Friends of the North Baths committee, said: "This funding has enabled us to buy more equipment which before we always had to borrow. Folk were very kind, but often we couldn't get hold of it when the volunteers were available.

"It's tide-dependent, so we needed our own equipment. Now, with the extra equipment, we can clean it in half the time.

"The benches and groundwork have now been completed. Even when people are not in swimming, they are using the area."

Other organisations supported by the Caithness Community Fund in this round of awards are Murkle Community Association; Home-Start Caithness; Dunbeath and District Centre; Berriedale Church and Cemetery Association; Caithness Diving Club; the Wick Society; Thrumster Community Development Association; Keiss Amenities Association; Pentland Firth Yacht Club; 1st Caithness, 1st Wick Scouts Group; Thurso in Colour; Thurso Football Academy; Top Joe's Amateur Football Club; and Tannach and District Community Council.

Applications to the Caithness Community Fund can be made via
cvg.org.uk/caithness-community-fund or email Caithness Voluntary Group's Yvonne Hendry at yvonne@cvg.org.uk or halsary@cvg.org.uk or call 07529 248764.

The next round opens on January 3, 2024, with a closing date of February 28.

Micro grants are available up to £500, and main grants from £501 to £7500. Grant holders must be able to spend their grant within 12 months of an award.

Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Halsary Fund has committed £11,250 to six projects in the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council area in its latest round.

Successful organisations were Lybster PTA; Lybster Golf Club; Lybster Allotment Society; Caithness Broch Project; Lybster Young Carers (Caithness Klics); and Latheron Parish Ploughing Association.

Wendy Thain, manager of Caithness Klics, said: "We received a £1000 award from Halsary which Klics are delighted about as this money will be used to create workshops for rural young carers, mainly targeting the Lybster area. Klics is recognised locally as a positive support for young carers' wellbeing.

"We have a good number of young carers in Lybster so we are excited to have things in place for over school holidays."
The fund will support community-led activities that help the rural regeneration and sustainability of communities in the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Community Council area.

Grants of between £200 and £5000 are available. Grant holders must be able to spend their grant within 12 months of an award.

To apply to the Latheron, Lybster and Clyth Halsary Fund, go to
cvg.org.uk/latheron-lybster-clyth-halsary-fund or contact Yvonne Hendry.

The next round is open from November 6 and it will close on February 14, 2024.