Norfolk hall goes green to help cut energy bills

A Fenland village hall is officially green after a �50,000 refurbishment included solar power.

Tilney St Lawrence hall had 16 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, a new heating cylinder and roof insulation fitted thanks to funding from various sources.

Keith Bodimeade, chairman of the hall's committee, put the 18-month project together by securing grants from not-for-profit organisation Wren and West Norfolk Council.

Mr Bodimeade has secured more than �226,000 of funding over six years and was described as a 'bulldozer' for his contribution.

'We wanted to keep costs down and keep it green. We've been told it will make a 60pc difference to our energy bills,' he said.

Barry Ayres, St Lawrence Ward councillor said: 'Keith is like a bulldozer. His contribution is laudable. The green aspect is fantastic. Everyone's impressed with it. For community cohesion this is the last word.'

'Just all credit to the hall and the contribution they make to the community. It shows what can be done when everyone pulls together.'

Norfolk and Cambridgeshire not-for-profit organisation Wren provided �36,000 of the �50,000 refurbishment.

Sarah Gosling, the grant manager, said: 'It's a great success story; a complete environmental refurb.'

Lucinda Leonard, development officer for the charity Norfolk Rural Community Council said: 'This excellent project shows that can-do communities can get capital projects off the ground for their communities.'