Argyll’s Dalmally Eco Group has emerged the winner of the Climate & Energy category in WWF Scotland’s ‘A Grand Green Idea’ community competition.
Green community groups and schools from across Scotland entered their ideas under the competition’s two categories Climate & Energy and Wildlife & Nature. The Dalmally Eco Group were announced winners of the Climate & Energy category.
Organised by WWF Scotland and supported with funds from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who raise millions of pounds for charities and local communities annually, the Eco Group beat hundreds of other community groups from all over Scotland who put forward their environmental initiatives to benefit their surrounding community.
Awarded £1,000 to bring to life their climate-friendly community poly-tunnel, the group – led by the local primary school – narrowly missed out on the top prize and a further £1,000 of funding. They plan to use the funding to build the polytunnel which will enable them to grow fruit and vegetables for the local community at their annual Harvest Lunch.
On winning, Mrs Caroline Fothergill, head teacher at Dalmally Primary school said: ‘We were absolutely delighted to learn of our successful application to the ‘A Grand Green Idea’ fund. We have a very enthusiastic Eco-group who are keen to take forward their plans to purchase and build a poly-tunnel with help from the community. They plan to select and grow fruit and vegetables to share with the community through an annual Harvest Lunch, using organic and sustainable methods.
‘The children have already shown great commitment to sustainable developments in and out of school and are keen to apply their learning whilst literally sharing the fruits of their labour with all ages of the community.
‘The school is a buzz of excitement at the moment as plans are drawn up. Our excitement is only matched by the local community orchard group who are keen to share with us their knowledge and skills.
‘Our hope is that the impact of learning will be huge for all age groups. This is a school project that everyone is going to be involved with. This is a perfect way to engage our learners at every level, building skills and capacities to produce a group of environmental and globally aware citizens.’
On announcing the winner, Lang Banks, Director of WWF Scotland, said: ‘Huge congratulations to all those at Dalmally Eco Group who were behind the idea for a climate-friendly polytunnel – such a fantastic community initiative. Growing produce locally can be a valuable way to reduce our environmental footprint, and we hope the project will also serve as a useful demonstration to others.’
The winner of the Wildlife & Nature category and overall ‘A Grand Green Idea’ winner was Greenbrae Primary School in Bridge of Don inAberdeenshire for their whole-school bee project which secured them £2,000 funding. The runners up were Kirriemuir and Dean Area Partnership whose plans include creating a bee hotel; and Strathyre Village Association whose plans include planting fruit trees to encourage young people to develop horticulture skills.
The A Grand Green Idea competition, which is in its third year, was launched by former BBC Scotland meteorologist, known affectionately by fans as Heather ‘the weather’ Reid.
