Village halls across North Yorkshire are taking practical steps to improve their buildings and reduce energy costs. At Sand Hutton Village Hall, near Thirsk, volunteers are already on that journey.

In the second film in our Village Halls Week series, the Village Green team visited the hall to hear about the improvements already made and the plans being explored to make the building more energy efficient.

Improving the hall

The hall’s trustees have already introduced several upgrades designed to reduce heat loss and improve efficiency. These include improvements to insulation, new double-glazed windows and LED lighting throughout the building.

Together, these changes help reduce energy use and make the building more comfortable for the community groups and events that take place there.

Responding to rising energy costs

Like many community buildings, Sand Hutton Village Hall has been affected by rising energy prices. This has prompted the committee to look closely at how the building can be improved for the long term.

Funding support has played an important role in enabling progress. The parish council contributed funding for new windows, while other organisations have also supported improvements to the building.

More recently, the hall secured £12,500 from the National Lottery to install an air source heat pump, helping provide a more efficient and lower-carbon heating system.

Looking ahead to solar

The committee is now exploring the next stage of improvements, including solar panels and battery storage to generate and store renewable electricity.

These upgrades would allow the hall to produce more of its own energy and reduce long-term running costs, helping to keep the building affordable for community use.

Supporting community climate action

The visit formed part of the Village Green project, which works with communities across North Yorkshire to explore practical climate action in community buildings.

By supporting village halls to improve energy efficiency and access funding opportunities, the project aims to help protect these important community spaces while also reducing their environmental impact.

As the Sand Hutton team explained, making these changes is not only about today’s energy bills but also about protecting the environment for future generations.

Village halls taking practical steps

The experience at Sand Hutton highlights how village halls can take practical steps towards a greener future. Through gradual improvements, funding support and community effort, these buildings can continue to serve their communities while reducing energy use.

This film is the second in our Village Halls Week series, showcasing the vital role that village halls play across North Yorkshire.

About Village Halls Week

Village Halls Week is an annual campaign that celebrates the important role village halls play in rural communities across England, Wales and Scotland.

Taking place this year from 16 to 22 March 2026, the campaign shines a spotlight on the contribution these community spaces make to local life. Village halls provide venues for activities, events, clubs and gatherings that support community connection, wellbeing and local resilience.

Across rural areas, village halls often act as vital community hubs. They host everything from exercise classes and social events to meetings, celebrations and support groups, helping people stay active, connected and engaged in their local communities.

Village Halls Week highlights the work of the volunteers and community organisations who manage these buildings and helps raise awareness of the value they bring to rural life.