SOARING energy costs have forced a village hall group to launch a fundraising drive to install solar panels.
Butterknowle Village Hall committee needs £26,000 to buy 30 solar panels and abattery pack to power the venue.
Treasurer Jeanette Newell said: “We need solar panels because it costs between £500 and £600 a month for electricity, which is an awful lot. Many events are in the evenings, so we need something to store the electricity, which put the cost up by £10,000.”
The committee had a pledge from county councillors Robert Potts and James Cosslett for cash from their neighbourhood budgets.
“We have some funds verbally promised, but we thought we would do something ourselves to raise some money.”
The village hall hosts a monthly coffee and cake afternoon to raise cash to match that being offered by the county councillors.
A large number of people attended the inaugural afternoon on January 31 to enjoy delicious cakes baked by committee member Val Bryson in exchange for a £4 donation. As an added attraction the local history group displayed historic photos of the village and its hall.
Ms Newell added: “In future we’ll ask if there is anything else people would like at the coffee and cake afternoon, such as bingo or a quiz.”
The next date is on Wednesday, February 28.
