Doncaster scout group sees the light thanks to four-figure Marr Wind Farm fund grant
Young members of a thriving Doncaster scout group...
Young members of a thriving Doncaster scout group are enjoying a brighter view of their surroundings with the help of a four-figure grant from the community fund linked to a nearby wind fund.
The 28th Doncaster St Edmunds Scout Group has used a £3,000 grant from the Marr Wind Farm community benefits fund to replace the failing strip lighting at its scout hall on Anchorage Lane in Sprotbrough with a brand-new LED lighting system throughout the WWII-era prefabricated building.
The work was carried out by local contractor Thorpe Electrical, with the grant also paying for new floodlights to be installed outside the building which allow the scout group members to safely use the adjacent tables and fire pits during the hours of darkness.
The installation of the new LED lighting follows on from other improvements that the Group has recently made at the hall, including a new roof, a new boiler and an internal redecoration.
And it is now hoping that the improvements will encourage more local people and groups to book the hall for their events and activities.
The 28th Doncaster St Edmunds Scout Group draws more 70 members from right across the local area and is run by a team of eight leaders and other volunteers.
It is also one of the few scout groups in the area to run a Squirrels section for 4-6 year-old children, which then leads onto its Beavers, Cubs and Scout sections.
The community benefits fund linked to the Marr Wind Farm, which is owned by leading independent renewable energy producer ERG and managed by OnPath Energy, provides around £12,000 of funding for local good causes every year.
The fund operates in line with ERG’s ESG Plan objective of fostering shared value and supporting the sustainable development of the local communities hosting its renewable assets.
Paul Ingamells, volunteer leader with the 28th Doncaster St Edmunds Scout Group says: “With an old building like our headquarters, there’s always a lot to do to keep it in good shape and we’ve been trying to make improvements wherever we could afford them.
“The old lighting was becoming an increasing issue, as many of our rooms were too dimly lit, several of the lighting tubes has stopped working and the environment wasn’t very welcoming.
“Having had to invest significant amounts of money on other parts of the building recently, we were struggling to afford to get the lighting upgraded until we were awarded the Marr Wind Farm fund grant and it’s really made a terrific difference to everyone’s experience of the building.
“We’ve had lots of feedback about how much brighter and more welcoming it feels now, while having the extra floodlights in place will give the chance to do more outdoor activities right through the year.
“The hall is already used by several local groups for things like keep fit classes and toddler groups, but with the improvements we’ve made, we’d love to see even more local people and groups making use of what we offer.”
Eligibility for the Marr Wind Farm community benefits fund is normally restricted to projects and activities within Barnburgh, Brodsworth, Hickleton, High Melton, Marr and Sprotbrough and Cusworth, but projects outside these areas may also be eligible if they can be shown to benefit people living within them.
Organisations and projects that have previously received grants from the Marr fund include St Peter’s Church in Barnburgh, Hickleton Parish Council, All Saints Church in Hooton Pagnell, Adwick upon Dearne Parish Council and the Green Lane Action Committee.
Melissa Falconer, Head of Business Development UK of ERG, says: “In acquiring the Marr Wind Farm, ERG has embraced the responsibility of upholding all commitments to ensure that the site remains both a producer of clean energy and a trusted “Good Neighbour” to the local community.
“This means more than just providing support; it is about genuine alignment of values. For the Group, being part of this landscape means looking after it, from supporting community organisations like the Doncaster St Edmunds Scouts to caring for the wider environment.
“ERG views the Wind Farm not just as an infrastructure, but as a “shared asset” held between the company and the community; a collaborative resource designed to foster a sustainable future where clean energy production and the preservation of rural heritage go hand in hand.”
Tom Chaplin, partnership and community manager at OnPath Energy, adds: “The hall is more than just the Scout Group’s HQ and is also an important facility for the wider community in its own right.
“The Marr Wind Farm community benefits fund has been building community value for local people for well over a decade and it’s great to see just how much of an impact this latest grant has already had.”
Environmental and community projects which are interested in applying to the Marr Wind Farm community benefits fund should first contact the fund manager on 0191 378 6342 or via apply@onpathcommunityfund.co.uk to confirm that their group or project is eligible.
