Groups warmed by energy saving grants

The money has been awarded as part of a grants roll-out of £621,286 to 62 groups across Northern Ireland.

Mosside Educational Rural and Cultural Society will use their grant of £9,229 to replace windows on the first floor of their hall with new PVC double glazing.

Their oil-fired boiler will also be replaced with a new energy efficient combi-boiler, thermal insulation will be installed in the ceiling and they will put in cavity wall insulation.

Fluorescent light fittings in the hall will also be replaced with energy efficient lights and they will buy new energy efficient white goods.

St. Patrick’s Church, Armoy, will use the grant of £9,870 to install new PVC windows in their community venue, replace an external door and install energy efficient lighting.

Energy efficient radiators with thermostatic control valves will also be installed and wall and roof insulation will be carried out.

They will also carry out an energy audit to find out where they are wasting energy and identify the improvements they need to make in the future.

Frank Hewitt, the Big Lottery Funds NI Chair, said: “The Energy Efficient Venues programme supports community organisations to carry out energy efficiency improvements to their venues that help them make savings during this difficult period of recession, and have a positive effect on the environment.”

“The programme is open for applications, but organisations should be aware that it closes at 12 noon on Friday 1 June 2012.”

To find out more about the Energy Efficient Venues programme visit www.biglotteryfund.org.uk, or call the Big Lottery Fund’s Information and Events team on 0289055 1455.