At the heart of the rural Parish of Tillside, Chatton Village Hall has long been more than just a building. Serving a geographically widespread population of over 500 people, it is the only public meeting place in the area, supporting community groups, charities and residents of all ages. Thanks to a £20,000 grant from the Northern Powergrid Foundation, the Hall is now warmer, more energy efficient and better equipped to support its community especially in times of need.
As a Designated Resilience Centre, Chatton Village Hall will now be able to play a vital role during emergencies such as prolonged power outages. Prior to the project, ageing heating and lighting systems meant that the building was cold, inefficient to heat and increasingly difficult to use during winter months. Community feedback consistently highlighted improved heating as a top priority, with over 90% of residents identifying it as a critical need.
The funded project delivered a comprehensive upgrade, including:
- A Tesla battery storage system to maximise the benefit of existing solar panels
- A standby diesel generator to ensure the Hall can operate during power outages
- Installation of air source heat pumps to replace electric radiators and space heaters
- Replacement of outdated lighting with modern, energy‑efficient systems
Together, these improvements have transformed the building into a much more comfortable, accessible and resilient space for year‑round use.
Since completion, the impact has been immediate and wide‑reaching. The Hall is now much warmer and more welcoming throughout the winter, enabling activities that previously struggled to continue operating. The gym, once heated for just one hour a day, is now comfortably warm from early morning to late evening. Yoga sessions have been able to run later into the year, and a new toddler group has flourished throughout the colder months.
The upgrades have also made a real difference to accessibility, particularly for older residents and very young children and have begun to tackle longstanding damp issues in the Hall’s 165‑year‑old building.
“The Foundation’s support has made a transformational difference to our community space. We now have a hall that is not only warmer and more welcoming, but prepared for future challenges. This investment has given us the confidence to plan ahead, and we’re excited about what comes next as we continue improving the hall for generations to come.”
— Alan Hardy, Treasurer, Chatton Village Hall Trust
Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“With the new heating system there is no need to layer up. The room warms up quickly, making it a much more inviting space to use.”
— Rosie Frater, Pilates and Massage Instructor
“The improved lighting and heating has improved the experience for everyone… and the energy savings will support the long‑term viability of the Hall.”
— Barry Shambrook, Carpet Bowls Group
Perhaps most importantly, Chatton Village Hall is now far better equipped to support vulnerable residents during emergencies. While the generator has not yet been required, its presence, alongside the new battery system, offers reassurance that the Hall can provide warmth, light and shelter during major incidents such as storm‑related power outages.
As Tillside Parish Council noted, the project
“helps provide both a vital, energy‑efficient community resource, improves community resilience, and does so with minimal environmental impact.”
This project demonstrates how targeted investment in energy resilience can strengthen rural communities, reduce long‑term costs and ensure that vital community spaces remain open, inclusive and prepared for the future.