Environmental Issues
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 Rural Community Action Network of 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.
A number of halls are benefiting from the Government's Feed in Tariff Scheme. Guidance is available on the OFGEM website. A hall in Herefordshire is well on its way to generating electricity and creating an income for the hall.
Dodford Village Hall installed a wood pellet heating system.
Wilton Community Centre carried out their own energy audit and greatly improved their facilities.
See the Climate Change section of this website for more information about ACRE's work in this field.
