Brancaster Village Hall’s Journey to Energy Efficiency

Tucked along the main road in the small Norfolk village of Brancaster stands a building with deep roots in community life. Originally built in 1904, the village hall once served as a school for refugee children during World War II. But in more recent years, a declining and ageing population led the much loved hall into disrepair. 

That is, until the community rallied together. In 2019, following significant local fundraising, the hall reopened with a fresh lease of life. A new bar facility was added, transforming it into a vibrant hub for social activity – from snooker matches and darts teams to regular coffee mornings. It’s now a welcoming and affordable place where neighbours can meet, connect, and unwind. But as the cost of living rose and energy bills soared by over two-thirds, the need to run the building sustainably became impossible to ignore. 

"There’s no room for error — we have to keep running sustainably,” said a committee member. “This experience taught us there’s only so much you can do with existing resources.” 

Taking Action for Long Term Impact 

The hall committee began exploring energy efficiency options with a clear goal: to futureproof the building, reduce costs, and ensure its continued use for generations to come. 

After exploring various upgrades, they installed insulation, double glazing, automatic closing doors, and LED lighting. They also considered air source heat pumps but quickly realised they weren’t a practical solution for their space or budget. 

Instead, solar panels emerged as the most viable option — thanks to a large amount of south and south-west facing roof space. After speaking with a number of national and local companies, the committee chose to support a local installer recommended by another village hall. In total, 40 solar panels were installed across two roof sections, along with two battery storage banks. 

“We use a lot of electricity because of the shop and the bar,” they explained. “Our usage peaks in summer, so we wanted to generate when we need it most.” 

And the results speak for themselves. In one recent month, the panels generated 66% of the building’s electricity needs — and impressively, they consumed 90% of the power they generated. This high self-consumption rate means they're seeing real savings without wasting energy.  

The project was made possible through a mix of grant funding from the Borough Council, local fundraising events (including a race night and Christmas fair), and contributions from the hall’s reserves. 

While the solar panels are discreetly hidden from view, their impact has been significant. The hall has seen a rise in user numbers, and while the financial savings are being reinvested into reserves for now, the long-term sustainability of the hall is much more secure. 

“It’s aesthetically important, but more than that — we’re futureproofing,” said a committee member. “We’ll use every bit of electricity we generate in the summer.” 

When asked if they’d do anything differently, their answer was simple: “Put them in earlier!”  The team noted that today’s technology is far more efficient than it was five years ago, a reminder that now is always the right time to act. 

Advice for Other Village Halls 

Their advice to others? “We’re in a fortunate position. Not every hall is — but anything you can do, you must do. It’s hard work, and you have to pay for it, but it’s worth it.” 

The committee is now looking ahead to further improvements, including replacing their oil-fired heating system. But they know that will require even more solar capacity and are conscious of the balance between functionality and visual impact on the building. 

For now, though, this small village hall is a shining example of how communities can come together, invest in their future, and take bold steps toward sustainability.