Cairngorms Orchestra was formed in 2018 by a group of enthusiastic local amateur musicians and our players are aged from 14 years to late 70s, with a wide range of abilities and experience. Under the baton of our professional conductor, our aim as a community orchestra is to entertain local audiences with a wide variety of classical music. Cairngorms Orchestra is grateful to BBCF for providing the funding to purchase three timpani, which will enhance the overall sound of the orchestra and enable us to explore a wider range of music for the mutual benefit of players and audience.

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Moray Concert Brass, after 28 years as part of Moray Council’s music instruction service recently became a community band and gained charitable status following the retirement, on medical grounds, of its Musical Director Glenn Munro. They therefore had to purchase percussion instruments to be able to continue performing, as they could no longer borrow them from the Council.  A generous grant from Berry Burn Community Fund has allowed the band to buy the instruments, including a xylophone, a glockenspiel and bass drum and once Covid 19 restrictions are lifted will be heard playing again across Moray.

Forres & District Men’s Shed has been established as a community group designed for men over the age of 18. It has been set up as a safe place to come together and promote the opportunity for friendships, social engagement, skill sharing in a safe and enjoyable environment.  It is a way to combat and prevent social exclusion. The shed is a place where members can meet, make creative projects, sharing skills whilst also learning new skills from others.

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Our project involved the upgrading of a spring-fed water supply originally built in 1863 to supply a remote railway station. The Station buildings were sold off in the 1970s and converted to three houses but little change was made to the water supply. We have now improved the biosecurity by draining and fencing around the springs and tanks and improved the system by replacing and relocating a leaking brick tank with a modern potable water tank.

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The generosity of Berry Burn Community Fund has, once again, enabled Edinkillie Hall to continue to function as a community asset.  Without their help, we would not have been able to insure the building for the coming year and would have been forced to hold more purely fund raising events instead of being available for members of the community to get together and socialise.

With support from BBCF, ReBOOT has successfully completed research and implementation of viable and environmentally sustainable routes for plastic recycling / reuse in the local community.  We have proven that both waste plastics from computer hardware and soft, single use plastics can be re-processed into new products, such as Coffee Coasters, Frisbees, Clipboards and other quality items.  We are now able to go forward with our in-depth feasibility report, suitable space and hardware to support the local environment further and increase the number of vulnerable adults benefiting from our services. 

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Forres Online Project has expanded in recent years and continues to develop through its successful Drop-in sessions, Digital Classes for Long Term Unemployed, Tablet & Ipad groups, Mobile Drop-in Sessions.  We provide free WIFI and equipment if needed and have a remote support service set up too. As part of the UK Centre Network we offer support to online learning platforms Learn My Way & Make it Click. We are part of Connecting Scotland Project providing devices and support to those digitally excluded in the Forres Area. We link with local partners, share resources, expertise and help with referrals.

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David Urquhart Memorial Path – Findhorn. The Findhorn Village Conservation Company thanks the BBCF for the grant towards the construction of an all-inclusive path along the bay front of Findhorn Village. Prior to the work it was impossible for all to access the facilities and to view the varied landscapes and wildlife in the Nature Reserve.  A new surface has been laid and gradients reduced in order to increase accessibility to a range of people – disabled, elderly and families with children in buggies.  Several seating areas have also been placed along the path route. The path will bring a health benefit to many and contribute to improving the visitor experience in the village.

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The support from the Berry Burn Community Fund has allowed Emma & Ashley to gain more competition experience and attend extra coaching opportunities. They have become increasingly more competitive with players in the National programme and central belt. In the past season their most notable achievements would be Ashley winning the U17 girls doubles at the East of Scotland A Grade and Emma finishing runner up in the U19 singles at the Scottish Schools Secondary Championships. They are very grateful for the support of this fund over the 2019 – 2020 season.

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Berry Burn Community Fund has been generous to Moray Fresh Start in our work providing Starter Packs for people who have been homeless and are making a new start. In one year their assistance has contributed to us helping 161 households totalling 97 men, 81 women and 62 children, who varied in age from tiny babies to people over 70.