Marham Parish Council Case Study: Future Proofing a Historic Hall

Marham Parish Council has taken bold steps to transform their 1850s village hall into a greener, more energy-efficient community asset, starting with the installation of a full solar and battery storage system.

Facing a building that was very cold and damp for much of the year, the Council knew action was needed. With no mains gas in the village and fossil fuels proving costly and unsustainable, solar energy became the most viable solution.

“We’re undergoing a much larger renovation, and this was the first step. The hall is entirely electric, including heating, and we wanted something that would reduce costs and support the wider upgrade plans.”

Thanks to funding from the Go Green project, Marham Village Hall installed 28 solar panels across three roof sections in March 2024, along with a battery storage system.

The results are already impressive. In June 2024, the hall used 590 kWh of electricity at peak times (costing £132.00) and 72 kWh at off-peak times (costing £15.98) a total electricity bill of £147.98 for the month. In June 2025, post Solar, the village hall used just 0.2 kWh at peak times (costing only 5p) and 20.29 kWh at off-peak times (costing £5.09), a total bill of just £5.14 for the month. That’s a saving of £142.84 compared with the same month the previous year. An amazing result for the hall and the community!

 “We’re producing more than we’re using. In a three-month period, we over-produced by £750. We’ve applied for the solar export grant, which will be backdated too.”

Although the installation required an unexpected new junction box, the process went smoothly overall and took just 14 days. The system is already changing minds within the village. One resident, previously unsure about a planned hall extension, shifted his view after learning how the solar panels will help reduce damp and cold conditions.

The Parish Council hopes this investment will encourage increased use of the hall in the winter months, when bookings typically drop. A separate National Lottery grant has supported the installation of LED lighting and a more efficient air conditioning system that provides both heating and cooling. This will replace the old infrared heaters, which previously cost £30 an hour to run.

Community Awareness and Support

Throughout the project, Marham Parish Council kept residents informed through the parish magazine, and the response has been positive. While the biggest changes will become more visible over time, the Council is confident that the environmental and financial benefits will continue to grow.

When asked what advice they would offer to other halls, the message was simple:

“Give it a go. If you can get the grant, do it. It’s not like it was before COVID when grants were everywhere. Now every penny matters.”

The Council praised the support they received through the Go Green process, especially the information sessions and help with completing the decarbonisation plan.

“The sessions were really informative. Once we got our head around the decarbonisation plan and pulled the information together, it all made sense. We’d definitely recommend the sessions and support to other halls, and we’re happy to be contacted if anyone wants advice.”

Marham’s solar project is just the beginning of a wider journey to create a more sustainable, welcoming and energy-efficient village hall. With community support, practical planning and the right funding, they are proving that even the oldest buildings can have a bright and sustainable future.