SOLAR PANELS INSTALLED

Oakley Bowling Club has received a grant of nearly £8,000 from the UK Government which has enabled it to purchase and install solar panels on its pavilion. The grant came from the UK Shared Prosperity fund managed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, supported and administered locally by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Ten solar panels have been installed along with associated battery storage and with the Club contributing £1,965 from its own funds a significant step has been taken towards meeting the Club’s environmental policy that aims for net zero emissions. Apart from the financial benefits the Club will also be helping the local community and the environment by selling excess energy back to the grid, supporting Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s efforts to generate more local renewable energy.

The Club is enormously grateful for the support it has received and to Colin Statham who master minded the application process and to Ric Newson who managed the installation with the contractor.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the Government’s Levelling Up agenda and is providing £2.6bn of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and places, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.