Cottingham Village Trust: Powering a Community Hub for the Future 

A £20,000 grant from the Northern Powergrid Foundation has helped Cottingham Village Trust take a major step towards a more sustainable and resilient future by installing solar panels and battery storage at Cottingham Civic Hall. 

At the heart of the village, Cottingham Civic Hall is far more than just a building. Run by dedicated trustees and supported by over 60 local volunteers, it serves as a vibrant community hub, welcoming residents of all ages and backgrounds throughout the week. Activities range from coffee mornings, crafts and hobbies sessions, quiz nights and warm space provision, to mental health and wellbeing support, fitness classes, cultural events and initiatives designed to reduce social isolation.

The hall also plays a vital role during emergencies, acting as a recognised place of safety and community resource during periods of disruption. Its trustees recognised that rising energy costs and a high carbon footprint threatened the long-term sustainability of this important community asset.

The Trust's vision was clear: to create a warm, welcoming and environmentally responsible space that could continue serving local people for generations to come.

By introducing solar power and battery storage, they aimed to:

• Reduce carbon emissions and energy costs.
• Improve the environmental credentials of the building.
• Strengthen energy resilience for the community.
• Ensure vulnerable groups could continue accessing a comfortable community space.
• Promote awareness of the benefits of clean energy across the local area.

The project also supports the hall's wider ambition of becoming a community touchpoint for meaningful intergenerational and cross-cultural engagement while extending opportunities for recreation, wellbeing and community connection.

With support from the Northern Powergrid Foundation, Cottingham Village Trust installed a 25.755kW solar energy system alongside 46.08kWh of battery storage on the hall's south-facing roof. The total project cost was £30,227, with £20,000 provided by the Foundation and the remaining amount funded through the Trust's own reserves. 

The new renewable energy system was completed in May 2026 and immediately began reducing the hall's reliance on grid electricity while helping to lower operating costs. Early monitoring showed encouraging results, with energy usage data suggesting savings of approximately 30–37%, helping free up resources that can be reinvested into community activities and future building improvements. 

The impact of the project extends far beyond reducing utility bills.

By lowering energy costs, the Trust can dedicate more resources towards the activities and services that matter most to local residents. This is particularly important for vulnerable groups who regularly use the venue, including older people, those living with long-term health conditions and individuals on low incomes.

The improved energy efficiency of the building also supports the hall's role as a trusted community anchor. As a recognised emergency location, the addition of solar generation and battery storage strengthens its ability to support local people during power disruptions and emergencies. The Trust identified this enhanced resilience as one of the key benefits of the project. 

"Our Civic Hall is a lifeline for many people in the community, providing a place to connect, access support and take part in activities that reduce isolation and improve wellbeing. Thanks to the Northern Powergrid Foundation, we've been able to invest in renewable energy that not only reduces our environmental impact but also strengthens our ability to support local people during emergencies. This project helps ensure the hall remains a resilient community asset for years to come, while allowing us to direct more resources towards the people and groups who use us."

Patricia Tomlinson, Trustee, Cottingham Village Trust

The project has been warmly welcomed across the community.

The Parish Council praised the initiative, while local councillors and the area's MP welcomed the investment in clean energy. Hall users have responded positively to the environmental benefits and the potential long-term savings, particularly at a time when many community organisations are facing increasing energy costs. Trustees have also recognised the project as an important step towards securing the hall's future. 

The success of the solar installation has given Cottingham Village Trust a stronger understanding of energy efficiency and renewable technologies. Building on this achievement, the organisation is now exploring opportunities to replace its existing heating system to further reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency. 

The project demonstrates how investment in community energy infrastructure can deliver multiple benefits: reducing costs, cutting carbon emissions, improving resilience and protecting vital community spaces.

Thanks to support from the Northern Powergrid Foundation, Cottingham Civic Hall is now better equipped to continue serving local residents, providing a welcoming, sustainable and resilient space where people can connect, access support and strengthen their community for years to come.