Davis Hall at West Camel wins award

THE Davis Hall at West Camel has won the South Somerset Together Community Renewable Energy award 2012 for powering communities and secured a cash contribution of £1,000.

The award scheme for renewable energy projects in communities in South Somerset was created by South Somerset Together, the strategic partnership for the district.

The partnership hosted a Renewable Energy Conference, Exhibition and then invited parishes to tour various sites, with renewable energy installations, in autumn 2011.

This generated strong community interest so the Partnership followed this up with an award to encourage communities to make renewable projects happen – so enabling them to become more fuel resilient and to reduce carbon emissions, waste and to share their experiences with other communities.

The Powering Communities award scheme was launched in June 2012 and among its objectives is to celebrate community self-help by showcasing  community renewable energy schemes that needed a cash boost to get off the ground; offer a prize to the best example to come forward from parishes, clubs, charities, small businesses etc; completely or partly fund a project in South Somerset; and be open to all types of organisation including businesses that benefit the community but excludes groups that can fund it all themselves.

The Davis Hall at West Camel was awarded this cash help for its idea to install photovoltaic panels on the rooftop. The panels will provide enough electricity to meet the daily needs of the Village Hall and will feedback a considerable amount to the National Grid.

This will lower the village halls carbon footprint and the quantity of oil used to heat water year round. It is estimated the Village Hall will make a 1511kg a year total reduction in CO2 emission and estimated savings per year in its electricity bill would be £547.
 
Roger Powell, acting chairman of South Somerset Together, said: “I congratulate West Camel on wining this award and am delighted that the partnership has been able help this renewable energy project to get off the ground.”
 
Cllr Henry Hobhouse, portfolio holder for Property & Climate Change at South Somerset District Council, said: “I am pleased that the West Camel community will be able to make a saving on their electricity bills.

''The use of renewable energy to accomplish this is important. I hope that other communities follow this lead.”

 
PHOTO:  Cllr Henry Hobhouse, left, and Roger Powell at the Davis Hall in West Camel.

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