February 2012: RESIDENTS TASTE THE BENEFIT OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT FROM RES

Eastfield Estate and Pilmar Lane Residents Association is one of the first community projects to benefit from the Pre-Construction Fund set up by RES, the developer behind Roos Wind Farm. RES has pledged £10,000 over two years to support good causes within Roos parish boundaries, in advance of a £36,000 per year Community Benefit Fund becoming available once the wind farm is operational.

The Residents Association applied to the fund for help to buy a professional standard cooker. Their application was successful and the new cooker has been providing hot and healthy meals to the residents for the last couple of months.

Norma Foster, Treasurer of the Residents Association, explains:

"Our community centre provides the tenants of Pilmar Lane and Eastfield Estate with a place to meet and partake in a variety of programmed activities, but the catering facilities we used to have were minimal to say the least. Prior to receiving the support from RES, we only had a microwave so our chef, Charlie Thompson, used to cook the food in his own kitchen. Then, with help from neighbour Alan Forward, the food would be taken across to the community centre. Some residents would have a meal delivered to their home, but all the others would have their meal in the centre.

"I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that the introduction of the cooker has transformed the centre. We can accommodate up to 24 residents dining at one time, so the place is a buzz of activity. We can't thank RES enough for helping us to improve the support we can offer to our community."

The Residents Association invited RES to come and sample the benefits of the new cooker for themselves, so on Tuesday 14th February 2012, three company representatives joined residents for lunch. Gary Scrowther, Site Manager, Harry Smith, Assistant Site Manager, and Samantha Mayes, Community Relations Co-ordinator, were treated to a generous portion of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding alongside regular users of the community centre.

Commenting on behalf of RES, Harry Smith says:

"We were honoured to be invited to join the Residents Association for their fortnightly luncheon and would like to thank them for the warm welcome we received. The new cooker looked splendid in full operation in the kitchen and the hardworking chef and volunteers prepared and served a delicious meal to the room full of people.

"RES is delighted that the contribution from the Pre-Construction Fund has provided a direct and tangible benefit to the community near Roos Wind Farm. We hope more local organisations will be encouraged by their example and consider applying for support in future."

RES representatives Harry Smith (left) and Gary Scrowther (right) with Roos Residents at their fortnightly luncheon