Branxton Village Hall received £11,000 from the Northern Powergrid Foundation to fund the installation of solar panels and energy‑storage batteries.

Branxton is a small rural village of around 120 residents close to the borders of Scotland. Its village hall is a vital community asset, regularly used by local groups as well as residents from Branxton and three neighbouring villages. An energy audit carried out in 2022 highlighted the need to improve the heating system and remove outdated thermal solar panels from the roof. Although a new boiler and radiators were installed later that year, the hall still relied on electric heaters during colder weather.

This new project aims to further improve comfort for hall users, many of whom are elderly and more vulnerable to the cold, allowing the space to continue serving as both a “warm hub” and an emergency refuge for local residents. The installation of a 4.5 kW solar array, a 3.6 kW hybrid inverter, and a 9.5 kW storage battery will also help reduce energy costs and lower carbon emissions, ensuring the hall’s long‑term sustainability.

The village hall reception area is open to the public every day, providing essential access to toilets, a particularly important service given Branxton’s popularity with visitors exploring the site of the Battle of Flodden and St Paul’s Church. The hall also hosts a community book swap alongside a variety of low‑cost or free activities, including the ‘Sewcial Club’, a film club, and seasonal quizzes and fairs.

Jacqueline Wilson, Trustee of Branxton Village Hall, said:
“This funding means so much to our community. The hall is a lifeline for many local residents, and these improvements will help us provide a warm, welcoming, and sustainable space for years to come. We’re incredibly grateful to the Northern Powergrid Foundation for supporting a project that will make a real difference to everyday life in Branxton.”

Honor Morton, Foundation Administrator at the Northern Powergrid Foundation, added:
“We’re proud to support Branxton Village Hall in becoming more energy‑resilient and environmentally sustainable. This project reflects exactly what our Foundation aims to do- help communities create safe, warm and resilient spaces that can support local people all year round.”