Sustainability Case Studies
Many of our village halls and community spaces are doing great work in improving their green credentials. Heat pumps, solar panels, energy efficient windows and new recycling facilities are just some of the considerable tasks being undertaken by volunteers and fundraising committees across the region.
Ellingham Village Hall
Ellingham Village Hall was designed and built with low environmental impact in mind. The hall is heated by air source heat pump and has solar panels fitted. Recycling facilities are on site and in support of the neighbourhood plan, visitors are encouraged to cycle or walk to the hall where possible.
Helsington & Brigsteer
Helsington & Brigsteer Village Hall held an open garden event which raised over £4k. This event successfully helped them to reach their goal of £21k, and solar panels are now generating power for the hall. Congratulations to promoter Melanie and the whole team!
Whittingham Memorial Institute
Committee members at Whittingham Memorial Institute have recently had the good news that their planning application for 28 Solar roof panels has been accepted after months of negotiations. They also hope to insulate the main hall & replace the existing strip lights with LED ones, helping to reduce running costs and increase their sustainability for the future. Well done to Maureen and all the other committee members!
Wingates Village Institute
Wingates Village Institute has an ongoing project to increase the energy efficiency of the hall. In 2019, wall and loft insulation was installed into the previously uninsulated building. They also have energy efficient lighting. In Spring 25, Solar panels were installed. Well done to Julie and the Green Team at Wingates!
Felton Village Hall
Felton Village Hall has 24 new solar panels! The Hall doesn’t own the solar panels but they were installed free of charge by Northumberland Community Energy Ltd (NCEL) under the umbrella of NICRE, the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprises. All the electricity generated goes to NCEL and is then sold back to the hall at a rate that is approximately half of the usual rate.
