COMMUNITY and voluntary groups in Tendring are being urged to apply for a share of a £12,500 wind farm fund.

The annual fund is part of planning permission for the Earls Hall Wind Farm, off St John’s Road, Clacton.

The Earls Hall Farm Community Benefit Fund, which is managed by the independent charitable trust Essex Community Foundation, was launched last year to give long-termsupport to the local community in Bockings Elm Ward, St Osyth Ward and Little Clacton.

In its first round of community grants, the fund allocated more than £12,500 and six organisations received support.

The largest grant of £2,911 went to St Osyth Village Hall to replace damaged flooring in the annex and store rooms.

St Osyth Playing Field received £2,891 towards the refurbishment of the St Osyth Pavilion, St Osyth Pre-School was given £2,500 to help provide extra toilets and St Osyth Youth Group was allocated £1,050 to pay for regular hall hire.

Bockings Elm Residents’ Association was granted £2,500 to fund events such as bingo and coffee mornings and the 5th Clacton Scout Group received £960 towards the cost of a new session for Beavers and Cubs.

The second round of grants will be distributed soon and local community and voluntary groups can nowmake bids.

For more information, go to essexcommunityfoundation.org.uk or call 01245 35601. Applications must be submitted by the end of October.