Windfall funded the provision of thermal curtains throughout the Hall in August 2023 with a grant of £4,488. These have made a big difference to the user experience as well as reducing the need to heat the Hall. Some heat can be retained from one use to the next by leaving curtains closed, and less heat is lost to the outside during evening events.
The acoustics are much better. Hard floor and walls made performance difficult before, and children’s parties are now easier on the ears. People also comment on the smart appearance, and the black-out ability now makes film events possible.
Project report to Windfall about energy improvements, as at August 2024
The Centre’s Committee is very grateful to Windfall (Mid Wales Community Energy Trust) and to ecodyfi for their support – financial and otherwise. The Centre has been on a journey to improve its facilities, user experience, and efficiency in its use of energy for several years.
This continues. Steps include:
- Energy audit and report provided free of charge by Giulio Mescia of ecodyfi in July 2019 through Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities Wales programme;
- Thermal curtains funded by Windfall in August 2023, costing £4,488;
- Secondary glazing installed in January 2024, costing £15,594 – also 100% funded by Windfall;
- Solar photovoltaic array and battery being installed August-November 2024 using a grant of £16,038 from UK Government’s Levelling Up funding through Powys Association of Voluntary Organisation’s Shared Prosperity Fund.
- An investigation of the feasibility of changing the heating source from oil to air source heat pump will be undertaken in spring 2025, following an initial evaluation of our solar array and of the heat pump installed at Cwmllinau Village Hall during 2024.
Canolfan Cymunedol Derwenlas Community Centre exists to improve the condition of life the residents of Derwenlas, Glaspwll and the surrounding area, primarily through providing a community hall with facilities and activities for recreation, social welfare and education. The building, originally built as a village school, belongs to our community organisation and is a popular venue, hired by local groups and residents for a wide variety of activities. Our committee organises regular events that bring the community together. Over the past few years we have made great improvements to our hall and kitchen facilities, and improved our use of energy through the following steps.
Thermal curtains
Secondary glazing
Following the provision of two competitive quotes, secondary glazing was installed by Storm Windows in January 2024, at a cost of £15,594 provided by Windfall. Storm specialise in historic buildings and were able to cope with the unusual shapes of some of the windows.
The Committee had to negotiate with Scottish Power over a supply cable which would have interfered with installation in the kitchen. Eventually they relented from their initial position, and re-routed the cable free of charge.
The Committee is pleased to know that less oil will be need to heat the Hall this winter as this helps our financial sustainability and contributes to tackling climate change. The secondary glazing is so well fitted that most users don’t notice it.
Penny Rowland
Treasurer
