THE POWER is on at Barkham Village Hall thanks to a collaboration between the hall’s management team and Barkham Parish Council.
New solar panels installed on the roof of the building are expected to slash the facility’s energy bills by 80% – and to contribute to the national grid.
A cheque for £7,000 from Barkham Parish Council (BPC) was presented by Pam Stubbs, Chair of Barkham Parish Council, and Ian Cunningham, also from BPC.
Receiving the grant, which amounts to half of the total cost of the project, were Allan Wrobel, Chair of Barkham Village Hall Management Committee (BVHMC) and BVHMC secretary Christine Leigh.
Allan Wrobel said: “ It all began when I looked at the hall’s electricity bill, and it was shocking.
“Laurie Holmes, a trustee of the hall suggested we go solar, and of course, once she’d mentioned it, we ran with the idea.
“This is just stage one, and we have plans to improve even further.
“We’re looking at geothermal energy, and localised heating, and eventually we mean to get rid of gas power altogether, so we’ve put in more battery provision than we currently need to allow for future work.”
The management committee is also using the Hive app to control the hall’s heating system by phone, as part of its commitment to cut not only costs but waste too, as it seeks to support the environment.
BPC chair Pam Stubbs said: “ It’s a great addition to the village hall.
“I have solar panels, and have championed them ever since arriving in Barkham in the 1980s.”
Ian Cunningham agreed.
“It’s been great for Barkham Parish Council to have been able to contribute to this project,” he said.
“We were approached by Barkham Village Hall Management Committee requesting our help to install solar panels, to enable them to cut their energy costs and become more environmentally friendly.
“With the recent installation of a nearby solar farm, this is another part of a pattern of Barkham going green.”
Solar panels are not the only village hall upgrade to have been supported by Barkham Parish Council.
“We’re very grateful to the parish council,” said Allan Wrobel.
“They are so supportive of this community resource.
“Not only have they presented us with this generous gift to help us cut our energy costs, they have also shared the costs of the new patio area behind the hall, and new windows.”
The hall is a very popular village amenity, in a rural location beside St James Church.
It enjoys ample car parking space, and a large green capable of hosting a marquee.
Its committee is currently in need of a new treasurer.
“We’re really desperate to find someone to take over from our current treasurer who is standing down,” explained Allan.
“We’re looking for a retired accountant who’d like to come and join our friendly team.
“It’s an easy job, and there will be a very comprehensive hand-over.”
For information, and for more about the treasurer post, visit: hallbookingonline.com/barkham or email: barkhamvillagehall@outlook.com
