THE first instalment of a £150,000 community windfall linked to a Dorset solar farm has been presented to groups in the Purbecks.

Renewable electricity supplier and generator Good Energy has pledged to give £5,000 a year for 30 years to local community groups and recently handed over the first donation.

This means that £5,000 is now available for community organisations in the East Stoke and Wool areas to apply for.

The community fund will last the lifetime of Good Energy’s new solar farm at Woolbridge, near Wool, which began generating in June last year.

Hugo House, from Good Energy, said: “We were delighted to present the people of East Stoke, Wool and the surrounding areas with the first of their annual £5,000 cheques.

“This money is for the community, to be spent in the community and by the community.

“Woolbridge is our first operational solar farm and we are very proud to be part of this fantastic local community and to support it in this way.”

As part of its investment in the community, Good Energy has also installed solar roof panels on the three local primary schools – Bovington, Wool Church of England and St Mary & St Joseph – and the D’Urbeville village hall. A £10,000 donation has also been given to the East Stoke Village Hall Rebuild Project.

An East Stoke and Wool Community Chest (ESWCC) group has now been formed to distribute the annual grant to local organisations.

Rebecca Cady of the ESWCC, said: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to manage and distribute the funds that will benefit groups within the areas of East Stoke, Wool, East Burton and Bovington.

“The partnership that has been formed with Good Energy and ESWCC has been brilliant.

“We have been working really well together to get the charity up and running as quickly as possible so the monies can be put to good use.

“Every year this money will be available for local projects and community groups to enhance the positive contribution they are already making to the area.”

Criteria and guidelines for the funding are now available along with application forms.

Any local group interested in applying should email ESWCC at contacteswcc@gmail.com.