Well the rain has been good for one thing – it has given a boost to my micro=hydro generator. I say mine, it isn’t of course strictly speaking just mine, but it does belong to the Development Trust I Chair and so I think a degree of ownership rights must come my way.
It has been a bit of a struggle to get it up and running, it has been years in the planning, and on several occasions we could have given up but we’re hardy souls in Clydach Vale. Thanks to £400,000 form that nice Mr Huhne and DECC we are now the proud owners of a turbine, a turbine house, and a fair amount of piping!
The money generated will help to ensure the sustainability of the Trust which runs the local community centre and the Sunshine Corner Day Nursery. We employ around 20 people and a substantial amount of money has been brought in via grants.
The Trust grew out of the Cwmclydach Communities First which is without doubt one of the most successful schemes in Wales. Communities First is due to come to an end on 2012 – it will be interesting to see what if anything is put in its place. Where it has failed to engage with the local community and get to grips with what it was set up to do then the whole scheme has been a huge waste of public money. It cannot continue as it has. However, where it has worked then care should be taken not to undermine the good work that has gone on.
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