Environmental issues

Community halls, especially village halls and churches, are usually old, cold and draughty buildings, and are expensive to heat. In helping to save the environment, the global problem of climate change needs to be addressed by all and community halls in rural areas are no exception. Some rural communities have taken the initiative to make changes to their community buildings which has resulted in the provision of a greener, warmer and more comfortable meeting place for all, while at the same time reducing their heating bills.

ACRE and the village hall advisers are able to provide advice to assist community halls to become more energy efficient and in some cases to carry out energy audits in their hall.  ACRE’s Village Hall Information Sheet 16 ‘How green is your hall?’  provides guidance on Government initiatives and help and advice that is available from other agencies.  To obtain a copy contact your village hall adviser.

It is becoming more and more common for funders to give grants for projects that address the issue of climate change. Hall committees should consider this especially when undertaking renovation work, extensions or building new halls.  Village hall advisers can provide a model environmental policy which is often required by funders.

Gamblesby Village Hall, Cumbria

Gamblesby Village Hall installed underfloor heating, which is the most efficient form of heat distribution. To heat the water in the heating system, they chose to use a ground source heat pump, which uses the latent heat stored in the earth. Ground source heat pumps have a co-efficiency of 1:4, which means that for every kilowatt of energy put in 4 kilowatts of heat is released. Combined with this, wool insulation was used to insulate the Hall, including underfloor and on the walls using a false cavity.

Phase two of the refurbishments are underway, which includes Solar PV tiles and a wind turbine to provide electricity to power the Hall for its own needs. A new kitchen and toilet block are also being constructed, again incorporating sustainable materials, including recycled newspaper insulation.

High Wray Village Hall, Cumbria

High Wray Village Hall have installed the first 12kw air source heat pump in the UK as part of their programme of sustainable improvements. The air source heat pump heats the newly installed fan-assisted radiators which replace the old and ineffective electric storage heaters. To further improve the energy efficiency of the Hall, recycled paper insulation was installed, along with secondary double glazing and low energy light fittings.

As the Hall has no associated grounds, and does not have a favourable facing aspect, Solar PV or wind are not an option, so the Committee have pledged to source their electricity from a 100% renewable supplier to ensure that their Hall has the lowest carbon footprint possible.

Every Action Counts

‘Every Action Counts' is a new initiative, supported by Defra and delivered through a consortium of voluntary and community sector organisations, for community groups, community workers and voluntary and community sector organisations in England. Every Action Counts will help your community group take simple, every day actions which benefit your group, its members and create a cleaner, greener community at the same time.

ACRE worked with Every Action Counts to produce ‘Your community building counts’ For more information visit the website or telephone them on 0845 241 0957.

Bringing your village hall to life

Some suggestions for attracting and preserving the wildlife around your hall. view here...