THE Den Brook Community Fund has reached a significant milestone, having awarded more than £500,000 in grants to grassroots projects and local initiatives across its five representative parishes.

Since its establishment, the Fund has provided vital financial support to community groups, heritage restoration projects, village facilities and environmental schemes, helping to enrich local life.

It is funded by the 9-turbine Den Brook Wind Farm in North Tawton parish, which became fully operational in November 2016.

The wind farm generates enough renewable electricity to power approximately 13,000 UK homes annually.

Nearby local residents receive bill reductions and when it became operational, the community fund package became operational through the Den Brook Community Fund.

It is is administered by representatives of Bow, North Tawton, South Tawton, Spreyton and Zeal Monachorum Town and Parish Councils.

The Fund has enabled dozens of projects to develop from initial ideas into lasting infrastructure improvements, social initiatives and essential community amenities.

The Committee behind the Fund has expressed its gratitude to the volunteers, parish council representatives and local

residents whose commitment and hard work have helped identify local priorities and guide the allocation of grants over

the years.

It says this milestone represents far more than a figure in the accounts; it reflects hundreds of individual stories of

community action, collaboration and positive change.

The Committee expressed its particular thanks to the owners of Den Brook Wind Farm for their continued financial support, which has made it possible for the Denbrook Community Fund to provide this sustained investment in local communities.

It acknowledges the Community Team at Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) for their continued help, advice and support, which has assisted the Committee in its work and contributed to achieving this significant milestone.

From the outset, the Committee identified key areas of community life where investment could deliver the greatest

benefit.

It says these priorities continue to guide the Fund’s support for projects across the five parishes: Improving the health

and well-being of local residents. Supporting assets designed to remain in use for at least five years following project

completion. Enhancing opportunities for local voluntary and community organisations. Improving access to services

and support for disadvantaged people. Providing services and opportunities to everyone, regardless of age, religion or

other personal circumstances. Helping to reduce energy bills and deliver environmentally friendly, sustainable

solutions. Creating and supporting local employment opportunities.

As the Den Brook Community Fund celebrates this £500,000 milestone, work continues to support projects that

strengthen local communities and deliver lasting benefits for residents.

The Fund’s investment has been distributed across the priority areas, the larger amount to North Tawton, then South Tawton, then Bow and smaller amounts to Spreyton and Zeal Monachorum.

To-date the larger amounts of funding have been allocated to Local Employment, Legacy, and Voluntary and Community categories. Lesser amounts went to Equal Opportunities, Health and Well-being, Disadvantaged and Lower Energy Bills/Ecology.

The next round for applications (from within the five parish areas) begins in November 2026 and closes on January 31, 2027.