Photo caption L-R Doreen Till, Honor Morton, Alex Ward, Colin Syers, Jess cook and Jacqueline Critchley stood outside of Sessay Village Hall presenting a giant cheque.
Sessay Community Trust sought support from Northern Powergrid Foundation for solar panels and batteries aiming to enhance their energy resilience and efficiency.
Challenges Faced by Sessay, Thirsk Residents
The Village Hall, the heart of the Sessay community, was built over 50 years ago and is the only community building in the area. Unfortunately, the building lacked energy efficiency. To continue providing and maintaining the recreation and sports ground, along with other community facilities and projects aimed at improving the lives of Sessay and Hutton Sessay residents, the building needed significant upgrades.
Doreen Till, Sessay Community Trust Trustee says "This upgrade is crucial for our community. The Village Hall is more than just a building; it's a lifeline for many residents. The support from the Northern Powergrid Foundation ensures we can continue to provide essential services and a welcoming space for everyone."
The solution for Sessay, Thirsk, residents
Under the guidance of Alex Ward, the community hall, which operates on an older 2-phase supply, has installed solar panels and batteries. These installations help supplement heating bills, allowing the centre to keep user group costs stable. Over the past year, the building has seen numerous improvements including the installation of heat pumps, building insulation all made possible with the support of grants as well as a second-hand kitchen donated by a local resident.
Colin Syers, Sessay Community Trust Trustee says "We are incredibly grateful for the support from the Northern Powergrid Foundation. Their contribution has been instrumental in making our community hall more energy-efficient and sustainable, ensuring it remains a vital resource for our residents. Along with other grants and alternative support we've received, this funding has allowed us to make significant improvements."
Support from the Northern Powergrid Foundation
The Northern Powergrid Foundation supported this community project with a £20,000 donation, specifically for the installation of solar panels and batteries.
Jacqueline Critchley, Northern Powergrid Foundation Operations Manager says "We are proud to support the Sessay Community Trust in their efforts to enhance energy resilience and efficiency. Projects like these are essential for building stronger, more sustainable communities."
Below is a heartfelt poem by one of the users of Sessay Village Hall, highlighting the vital role the hall plays in the community.
Sessay Village Hall
Village people gather here
Friends from far and wide
Generations celebrate
Groups practising their art
From old to new it has been reformed
Resurrected from the past
Keeping old traditions safe
But with an eye for what is next
The warmth of friendships thriving here
Nurturing hope and love
Valuing the next person
Lives mingling in this hub.
For this is not just a building
A refuge from the rain
But a focal point to gather lives
Which change the course of time.
Gillie Coburn
About the Northern Powergrid Foundation: The Northern Powergrid Foundation's mission, aligned with Northern Powergrid's ambition to be a force for good in the communities it serves, is to support those most affected by changes in the economy, environment, and society due to the shifting energy landscape. The Foundation funds projects focused on energy resilience during emergencies, vulnerability, fuel poverty, rural divide levelling, innovation, social support, and community collaboration. These funds are available to support communities across the North East, Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire served by Northern Powergrid.