A much-needed £14,057 grant from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund has seen the successful installation of solar panels at Bedale Athletic Sports Club and Community Centre.
Located just outside the historic market town of Bedale, North Yorkshire, Bedale Athletic Sports Club provides a home to a wide range of local sports clubs – including association football, cricket, croquet, running, squash and tennis.
Twelve new solar panels, which are also capable of storing excess energy from sunny days, are set to save the voluntary organisation over £2,000 on energy bills within the first year alone, with the payback estimated to be six years. The panels were fitted by Austin Gregg of local business Gregg Electricals.
Martyn Coombs, sports club chairman, said: “With over 350 members, it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage expenditure without increasing our fees to a level that might prohibit members of the community enrolling in the association. The grant aid from the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund was a Godsend.
“In addition, our solar panels will reduce our reliance on the grid and reduce our energy costs. Our project will reduce our reliance on electricity generated from fossil fuel power stations and will also reduce our carbon footprint.”
Tony Tait, operations manager for Tarmac’s nearby Marfield Quarry, said: “We are pleased to have been able to help Bedale Athletic Sports Club and Community Centre with this donation through the Tarmac Landfill Communities Fund. It’s great to see local clubs looking at ways to make their facilities more sustainable for the future, whilst also helping the environment.”
The Landfill Communities Fund was established by the Government in 1996. It enables landfill operators to donate part of their annual tax liability to enrolled Environmental Bodies for a variety of approved community and environmental projects. Through the fund, Tarmac donates around £1 million to projects each year. For more information, visit www.entrust.org.uk or email det@derbyshire.gov.uk
