On Wednesday 8^th November 2023, local groups from the Graveship of Holme (Holme Valley) gathered together at Holmfirth Tech to receive grants from the Bright Green Community Trust. Grants were awarded to seven brilliant groups, all taking action to reduce their carbon emissions.

The Bright Green Community Trust was set up by HoTTWind@Longley Ltd, a community benefit society that operates a wind turbine which supplies green electricity to Longley Farm, near Holmfirth. The project is a partnership between the former HoTT group and Longley Farm, brought about by the investment, ideas and expertise of both. The Bright Green Community Trust (BGCT) Fund is one of two funding streams which aims to ensure that the community wind turbine, whilst having obvious environmental benefits, will also provide significant benefits to local people. The BGCT Fund is administered by One Community, the Community Foundation for Kirklees.

The other revenue stream is the Bright Green Business Fund, which offers grants to support green ‘carbon saving’ projects run by SME commercial businesses based in the Holme Valley. For more information on the Bright Green Business Fund, please see https://hottwindlongley.co.uk/bright-green-business-fund/

Greta Bradley, a member of BGCT who introduced the event, said that it felt as if she was helping to perpetuate a virtuous green circle. She described it as one that is sponsored by green energy and added to each year as more green initiatives are created and known about in the locality. And thus the green virtuous circle turns. 

This year’s BGCT grants will go towards a range of projects, covering energy efficiency, community growing, conservation and housing.

Christ Church, New Mill received a grant to install destratification fans in the main church building, which will help recirculate warm air and reduce wasted heat and therefore energy consumption.

Allison Coventry (left) of Christ Church New Mill receives cheque from Emma Woods-Bolger of One Community and Greta Bradley of the BGCT

Holmbridge Cricket Club have previously installed solar panels on their roof. This year’s grant will go towards installing batteries for solar power system, to allow them to store the energy generated at peak sunny periods.

Holme Valley Climate Action Partnership (HVCAP) received a grant towards the Holme Valley gardens project, promoting healthy local food and supporting people to grow their own in community gardens.

Sian Taylor of HVCAP receives cheque from Emma Woods-Bolger of One Community and Greta Bradley of the BGCT

Holme Valley Community Land Trust Limited - (Trading as EcoHolmes) received a grant towards a feasibility study for a new and exciting project which aims to convert the redundant council office building in Holmfirth into affordable, low-energy homes, to rent to local people

Stephen Sheard of EcoHolmes receives cheque from Greta Bradley of the BGCT and Emma Woods-Bolger of One Community

Holmfirth Civic Hall Community Trust has already done a lot of work to reduce carbon emissions in the building, including putting previous grants towards LED lights and water-saving toilets. This grant will continue that great work by installing motion-controlled lighting in the corridors and smaller spaces to further reduce energy usage.

Dawn Whiteley MBE receives cheque from Emma Woods-Bolger of One Community and Greta Bradley of the BGCT

River Holme Connections, is another well established group that carries out practical conservation and tree planting across the valley to improve biodiversity, wildlife habitats and absorb carbon dioxide. This year’s grant will go towards essential maintenance, including weeding, removal of plastic tree guards and replacement of dead trees.

Simon Hirst of River Holme Connections receives a cheque from Greta Bradley of the BGCT and Emma Woods-Bolger of One Community

Scholes Cricket Club will use their grant to replace their existing petrol-powered lawnmower with an electric battery powered one. Given the amount of mowing required to keep the cricket pitch in top condition, this is estimated to save the club over 1,600kg of CO2e annually.

John Andrews of Scholes Cricket Club receives cheque from Greta Bradley of the BGCT and Emma Woods-Bolger of One Community

This is now the 7^th year that the BGCT has given out grants to local groups, with over £130,000 being given out to support local green projects since the turbine was installed. Projects have been wide ranging and varied, including energy-saving building improvements, education and outreach projects, renewable energy, transport, recycling and community growing.