Wind farm boosts PE for Dumfriesshire school pupils

Community Windpower Limited (CWL) has provided Let’s Get Sporty with £6,380 to deliver 10 weeks of free physical education sessions for almost 370 pupils from Applegarth and Hutton, Beattock, Johnstonebridge and Moffat primary schools.

This project marks the fourth year of partnership between CWL and Let’s Get Sporty, a Dumfries-based social enterprise, with more than £19,000 donated by CWL to deliver similar sessions to 1,700 local children across 10 schools to date.

This year pupils will participate in a variety of sports including rugby, hockey, football, basketball, tennis, netball and athletics.The sessions help children develop an understanding of the importance of taking care of their physical health, as well as fostering an awareness of the world around them.

Let’s Get Sporty mentors guide pupils through exercises focused on balance, coordination, and speed using agility ladders, before delving into the sport of the week, enabling children to learn new skills.

Let’s Get Sporty run a life skills programme called Let’s Get Employed, designed to provide people of all ages with valuable training and work experience. A number of the coaches who are helping run the sports sessions are currently taking part in the Let’s Get Employed programme, gaining valuable work experience in the process.

The latest round of funding for the PE sessions comes as CWL advances its proposed Scoop Hill Community Wind Farm, near Moffat, which would consist of 60 turbines and a battery storage facility. If supported by Dumfries and Galloway Council, the scheme will generate enough green electricity to power up to 450,000 homes a year, as well as making a crucial contribution to the Scottish Government's target of reducing carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2045. Moreover, with a community benefit commitment of £5,000 per megawatt per year, the wind farm would provide £2.16 million annually to local communities and residents.

Rebecca Elliott, Senior Project Manager at Community Windpower, said “We’re thrilled to team up with Let’s Get Sporty once again and take pride in supporting free sports sessions for so many local children, with hundreds who live near our proposed Scoop Hill Community Wind Farm due to benefit this year. Regular sports sessions are crucial for staying physically healthy and feeling good mentally.

“This is a great partnership that reflects our values and the positive impact renewable energy can have on local communities as we tackle the challenges of the climate crisis.We’re committed to keeping our communities thriving by working together for the long term.”

Dayne Moore, Community Manager at Let's Get Sporty, said “We are delighted to once again work in partnership with Community Windpower. We have developed a strong working relationship with the company, allowing us to deliver numerous sessions to local primary schools across various areas in the region, encouraging children and young people to stay active and engaged in activities.

“Their support also enhances opportunities for local children and young people participating in our Let's Get Employed programme. Community Windpower has demonstrated through this work that they are here to support the community, and we are very grateful for the opportunity to be involved in this.”

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