Polycrubs Qualify for CCAGS THE REVOLUTIONARY polycrub, Northmavine community company nortenergy’s very robust and weather resistant polytunnel has scored a fresh success. After the recent export to the Falkland Islands, four polycrubs in the Western Isles have been awarded a CCAGS grant. CCAGS is the Crofting Counties Agricultural Grant Scheme, and this means that eligible crofters under 40 can, if their applications are successful, gain 80% grant funding on supply and erection. For crofters over 40, the grant rate is 50%. Any crofter wishing to apply should contact their local RPID office. Nortenergy Chairperson Drew Ratter said: “We are very proud of the polycrub, which has stood up to hurricane force winds here in Shetland. Getting CCAGS grants will mean crofters can look to polycrubs to diversify their croft businesses over a time when I think such action will be very necessary.” Manager of nortenergy Maree Hay said: “It has been a lot of work getting here, but we have now sold well over 150 polycrubs, improving the quality and consistency of build as we have gone along. I am confident a polycrub will be an asset to any croft.” The successful applicant is Martin Adil-Smith, who crofts in Knockaird township in Ness, very close to the lighthouse at the Butt of Lewis, itself famous as the windiest spot in Britain. He and his wife Jennifer settled there three years ago with their two daughters, now six and three. The family has been working hard since, bringing a long-neglected croft back into action. He said: "The polycrub provides an innovative and creative approach to horticulture production in those areas that are adversely affected by the wind. With such concern about food miles and the environmental impact of meat, the polycrub is one of a number of tools that crofters can use to diversify land production."
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