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 carefully created from the ground up to keep its environmental impact low. The hall is warmed efficiently by an air‑source heat pump, while its solar panels capture clean energy straight from the sun.
On site, convenient recycling facilities make responsible waste disposal easy for everyone. And in harmony with the neighbourhood plan, visitors are encouraged to walk or cycle to the hall whenever possible – helping the whole community take steps toward a greener, healthier future.
Helsington & Brigsteer Village Hall
Helsington & Brigsteer Village Hall has turned community spirit into solar power!
In an inspiring fundraising effort, the hall hosted an open‑garden event that drew in visitors and successfully raised over £4,000. This fantastic boost helped the community reach their ambitious £21,000 target!
Today, the solar panels are generating clean, renewable energy for the hall, turning local generosity into long‑lasting environmental impact.
Whittingham Memorial Institute
Committee members at Whittingham Memorial Institute have recently received approval for their planning application to install 28 solar roof panels – a huge step forward in boosting the building’s green energy credentials. They’re also aiming to insulate the main hall and upgrade the old strip lights to energy‑efficient LEDs, all of which will help reduce running costs and make the Institute more sustainable for years to come.
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, boosting warmth and reducing energy waste. They also now have energy-efficient lighting, brightening the space and cutting down on electricity use. In Spring 25, solar roof panels were installed.
Felton Village Hall
Felton Village Hall has 24 brand-new new solar panels – provided completely free of charge by Northumberland Community Energy Ltd. under the umbrella of NICRE, the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprises.
These panels are now harnessing the power of the sun to fuel the hall’s activities. The clean electricity they generate goes to NCEL, which then sells it back to the hall at around half the usual price – a win‑win that slashes energy costs while boosting sustainability.
