Cambo Village Hall in Morpeth has received funding to enable it to provide crucial energy resilience to the community.

A grant of £19,034.04 from the Northern Powergrid Foundation has facilitated the installation of solar panels and energy storage batteries at the hall.

As such, the hall will now serve as a key resource in emergency events, providing light, heat, and refreshments to its chiefly elderly local community.

This move comes as part of the foundation's continued efforts to support organisations and community projects addressing energy-related challenges.

Cambo Village Hall Committee Secretary, Beck Orton, said: "Thanks to the grant funding from Northern Powergrid Foundation our hall can continue to be a hub of activity even during times of power interruptions.

"Due to the rural an isolated location of Cambo we are prone to power cuts, by having a central place for our community to congregate we can collectively stay warm and connected during these times.

"Our funded project results in reduced energy bills, with being a hall that runs to a tight and limited budget every saving opportunity is worthwhile pursuing and with the help of the foundation we saved from the initial outlay for the kit and then benefit on a daily basis with the technology."

Communities are adapting to a transforming energy landscape caused by severe weather, an escalating cost-of-living crisis, and the push for net zero transition.

Jodie Coe, Northern Powergrid Foundation trustee, said: "Northern Powergrid Foundation is delighted to provide funding to Cambo Village Hall to improve their energy resilience and energy efficiency.

"One of the Foundation’s areas of focus is to enable rural and isolated communities to stay connected during power cuts.

"It is great to see Cambo’s funded project supports local residents during these incidents but also enables the hall to keep it’s costs low and to further give back to the community."

The foundation aspires to empower communities, promote resilience, and boost the net zero transition.

Community groups interested in applying for funding should visit the Foundation's website by May 13.

More details about the funding and eligibility can be gleaned from www.northernpowergridfoundation.com.