Group News Letter June 2024
Gamlingay and Gransden Scouts are “Going Green”
We have some exciting news that we are now able to share with everyone. In March we were successful in an application we submitted to the National Highways A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Social Value Fund. Because of the restrictions imposed on government agencies making announcements during the election period, we have not been permitted under the terms of the award to make this announcement until now.
To the Group, the grant which is fully funded, is worth nearly £50,000.00. The grant is to be used specifically to enable the Group to “Go Green” and, will enable us to make substantial improvements to out headquarters building.
These improvements include:
- Installation of up to 26 Solar PV panels with battery storage.
- Installation of Air-Conditioned heating in the main hall.
- Installation of infra-red heating in our kitchen, entrance hall and all of the toilets.
- An improved water heating system throughout the kitchen and toilets.
- Improved LED lighting in the hall, kitchen, entrance hall and toilets.
- Much improved loft insulation to the building.
These improvements are designed to reduce our reliance on peak-rate electricity by generating our own power whenever possible, and making use of cheap night rate electricity when we cannot generate our own. Hand in hand with this the improvements to our heating and lighting systems, and our insulation to the building will reduce the amount of our overall consumption we use in the colder months of the year. The improvements will also make our building a much more welcoming environment for all of our members to use. And in a small way we are doing our bit to help the environment by reducing our carbon footprint.
Between 2009 and 2015 major refurbishment works were carried out to our headquarters building, and we are now fortunate enough to have one of the best headquarters buildings in the district. These additional improvements we will be making over the summer holidays will ensure that our building is fit for purpose for many more years to come and that are membership have a safe and comfortable building in which to meet.
Chris Elwood
Group Scout Leader
gsl@gamlingayandgransdenscouts.org