The Power of 100: Notton Village Hall A Warm Hub for a Connected Community 

The Northern Powergrid Foundation is proud to celebrate its 100th funded project with a grant of £19,736.00 awarded to the Notton Village Hall Resilience Project in West Yorkshire. 

Located between Barnsley and Wakefield, Notton is a friendly and welcoming rural village with a population of around 1,000, 31% of whom are over the age of 65, significantly higher than the wider Wakefield District average. The village hall is the heart of the community, serving as its only meeting place, with no school, church, or pub. It hosts a wide range of regular activities including coffee mornings, dance classes, yoga, table tennis, flower arranging, and more bringing people together across generations. 

The Resilience Project will install a 10kWp Solar PV System and 29.9 kWh battery storage, creating a micro-grid that ensures the hall remains operational during power outages. This will allow the hall to continue offering warmth, hot food and drinks, social interaction, and external communication, especially for vulnerable residents who may otherwise be isolated during emergencies. 

4 people stood in a hall having a conversation David Pywell, Resilience Project Lead at Notton Village Hall, said: 

"This funding will make a real difference to our community. Notton has experienced several power cuts in recent years, and this project ensures that our hall can continue to be a safe, warm, and welcoming space for everyone, especially our older residents. It’s about more than just energy; it’s about connection, care, and community resilience." 

The hall is run entirely by volunteers and operates independently of district and parish councils. As a registered charity, it relies on fundraising and hire income to maintain and improve its facilities. This grant will not only enhance the hall’s ability to serve as a sustainable warm hub during power cuts but also help reduce energy costs and the building’s carbon footprint. 

Exterior view of Notton Village Hall with red brick walls, a tiled roof, scaffolding along the side, and solar panels installed on the roof. Bushes and greenery are visible in the foreground under a partly cloudy sky. Jess Cook, Head of the Northern Powergrid Foundation, added: 
"We are always looking for community projects that focus on building resilience and bringing people together. Notton Village Hall is a perfect example of how local spaces can be transformed into dependable hubs that support people in times of need. We’re proud to mark our 100th grant with a project that truly embodies the spirit of community energy resilience."  

The Foundation is delighted to support this vital project, which exemplifies our mission to build community energy resilience. Notton Village Hall continues to be a shining example of how local spaces can empower communities, foster connection, and provide essential support in times of need.