TWENTY community projects have benefited from the latest round of grants being distributed by Royal Dornoch Golf Club
Every year, the club invites organisations in Dornoch and neighbouring Embo to apply for £500 donations which are designed to help an array of community causes.
Club captain Professor David Bell explained that the club’s community fund was created by the Council of Management to support groups and charities in the IV25 area postcode.
“The club is proud to play an integral role in the life of the town and every year we welcome applications for grant assistance from all manner of community organisations,” he said.
“This year I’m pleased to say we have allocated nearly £10,000 to support community groups, taking the total sum to over £60,000 since the fund was launched.
“In addition, an agreement signed in connection with our new 99-year lease will see up to £50,000 from visitor income being gifted to the Common Good Fund.”
Alan Butcher, chair of the East Sutherland Camera Club, welcomed the golf club’s backing.
“The grant from Royal Dornoch will be put to very good use when we host the annual Highland Challenge in September,” he said.
“This is a photographic competition featuring clubs from Cromarty, Dingwall, East Sutherland, Inverness, Islesburgh (Shetland), Kiltarlity, Mercat, Nairn and Thurso.
“Clubs each submit around 10 images, and these are scored by an independent judge. The results are presented at a full day event held in rotation by the participating clubs.
“In September, East Sutherland Camera Club is hosting the event in the Dornoch Community Centre. It will feature a talk by Bryan Alexander, the Arctic photographer who lives locally in Ardgay.
“Dornoch is a fabulous location. Between 80 and 100 will be attending and we hope the wider community will benefit from the Highland Challenge.
Another beneficiary is the award-winning HistoryLinks Museum’s Young Curators Club.
Their £500 will be spent on various items featuring on the club’s wish list, including clay and paints for members in the eight to 10 age group.
“The members are absolutely delighted to have the support of Royal Dornoch Golf Club,” said curator Lynne Mahoney.
“We are very grateful for the past funding and this latest grant will ensure that the club has the means to carry on working with local children on exciting heritage projects.”
The popular St Finnbarr’s Church Charity Shop is moving ahead with refurbishment plans.
A new gazebo is being funded by the golf club grant and it will be in use at community markets held over the summer months.
Other grants were awarded to Dornoch Cinema Club (to cover film and licencing costs); Dornoch Beach Wheelchairs; Caithness and Sutherland Women’s Aid Gift Project (for gift box essentials to women and children who have had to flee their home for safety); Dornoch Firth Group (new flooring for the Men’s Shed); Dornoch Bowling Club (clubhouse paint to match the new storage facility); East Sutherland Athletics Club (hoodies for juniors and adults); Sutherland Junior Squash (additional junior and girls’ coaching); Dornoch Junior Football Club (training tops for children from nursery age to 16); Dornoch Festival Week (new laptop); Dornoch Pipe Band (refurbishing side drums); Sutherland Agricultural Society Show (barriers and fencing); Dornoch Primary School Parent Council (school grounds improvement work); 1st Dornoch Brownies (towards annual subscriptions); Dornoch Bonfire Night (to cover insurance and the rising cost of fireworks); Dornoch Flowers and Fayres (to cover MOT, fuel and car insurance); Dornoch Community Garden (seating and raised beds for the sensory garden); Dornoch Academy Library (to purchase new and replacement books).