Community Resilience Hub Lights Up in Bamburgh Castle’s Shadow 

Bamburgh, a historic village perched on the dramatic Northumberland coast, is best known for its iconic castle, sweeping beaches, and tight-knit community. With its rich heritage and stunning natural surroundings, it draws visitors from far and wide. But for those who call it home, Bamburgh is more than just a postcard-perfect destination, it's a place where community spirit runs deep, and where residents look out for one another, especially in times of need. 

Bamburgh Pavilion is the hub of energy for the local community hosting cricket, croquet, Scottish country dancing and even hosts weddings and parties with a view of the castle that’s truly breathtaking.   

That strong sense of togetherness recently came to the fore when local leaders took action to improve the village’s resilience in the face of increasingly frequent and severe weather events. 

The challenges for Bamburgh, Northumberland Residents  

As a small coastal village in a relatively remote part of Northumberland, Bamburgh faces regular disruptions from coastal storms and power outages. Storm Arwen was particularly severe, cutting off electricity and phone lines for a full week and leaving roads impassable due to fallen trees. With no gas supply in the area, residents rely entirely on oil and electricity, making the need for a resilient energy solution all the more pressing. 

To address this, the project team began by seeking expert advice. They obtained a quote from a trusted local electrician who had experience installing solar panels in nearby villages under the same scheme. However, further discussions with stakeholders raised concerns about the building’s timber frame and its ability to withstand storm damage or support the weight of solar panels. Combined with the low annual electricity costs due to oil heating, the Council and Committee members concluded that solar panels were not the most practical or beneficial option for Bamburgh. 

The team then explored the possibility of installing a generator. But after consulting with the Domestic Carbon Reduction Officer at Community Action Northumberland, they discovered that this route came with its own complications. Such as the need for external groundworks and a secure enclosure, which added cost and complexity. 

Ultimately, the team opted for a more environmentally friendly and practical solution: installing 2 Tesla Storage batteries.  

The solution for Bamburgh, Northumberland Residents  

By having a way of storing energy, it means that residents have access to a building as a safe haven which is warm and somewhere to charge essential electrical equipment. The Pavillion has a fully equipped kitchen so can provide hot food and drinks for the community and has 4G backed-up wifi to ensure the community can keep in touch with loved ones and keep up to date with the vital emergency information.  As there is an older population in Bamburgh the community know this support is essential should they have an issue in winter they can potentially save lives.  

“This project has given the community real peace of mind,” said John Mackey of Bamburgh Parish Council. “Knowing we have a warm, powered space to gather in an emergency makes a huge difference’’ 

Support from the Northern Powergrid Foundation  

The Northern Powergrid Foundation supported the initiative with a £17,619.00 grant, helping fund the installation of battery backups at the pavilion. The stored energy has already proven its value during the adverse weather in late 2024, offering a dependable lifeline when it was needed most.  

More About the Northern Powergrid Foundation 

The Northern Powergrid Foundation is committed to supporting community resilience and sustainability projects across our regions. This grant is part of their ongoing efforts to empower local communities and promote renewable energy solutions. 

Potential applicants can visit the Foundation’s website to find out more: northernpowergridfoundation.com.