The Northbrook Arms, a two-hundred-year-old pub in East Stratton, Winchester, benefitted from a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant. It was used to part fund the installation of two new EV charging points, marking a  significant step in the pub’s journey towards sustainability.

The new charging points are available to pub guests and members of the local community.

Kate Shanley, the pubs owner said “Many EV owners in rural settings face challenges charging at home. By offering a local charging option, we aim to support the growing EV community in our area. This is just one of many ways we are striving to make our business more sustainable.

This project would not have been possible without the support of the council’s Rural England Prosperity Fund. Their investment in rural infrastructure has been instrumental in making this a reality.”

Riversdown House is ‘running on sunshine’ following the installation of solar panels to its Chicken Shed building, a converted barn where students from across the world learn English. More than 40,000 international executives, academics and government employees from 67 countries, across a variety of sectors, have learned English at the centre.

The Warnford school received funding through the Government’s Rural Shared Prosperity Fund to install solar PV on the learning centre’s roof, to reduce energy costs and become more sustainable.

Since the installation of the solar PV earlier this year, the Chicken Shed has become nearly 100% self-sufficient, with the capacity to sell electricity back to the grid.

Dan Smith, responsible for Business Development, said: "Riversdown is proud to have recently installed solar panels to the ‘Chicken Shed’, home to our individual classrooms. These were funded by the UK Government through its Rural Prosperity Fund and awarded by Winchester City Council. Since the installation, the Chicken Shed has been 43% self-sufficient on average. With all the good weather we are having this Summer, our learning centre is running on sunshine and in the future, we should be 100% self-sufficient, with the capacity to sell electricity back to the grid.”

“We are very grateful to Winchester City Council for the opportunity to install the panels and for the support given,” said School Director Alison Lewis.

Rushmere Farm is a large carbon-negative, organic cereal farm located in Hambledon, within the South Downs National Park.

Winchester City council allocated Green Business Grant funding to provide solar panels for the rooftops of agricultural buildings. The solar project has allowed them to increase product volume by 75% while becoming carbon neutral and putting electricity back into the grid.

It is estimated the panels will offset a minimum of 400 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (tCO2e) over their lifetime.

The farm grows cereals organically and produces an oat-based drink. In addition to farming, the site offers eco-friendly, off-grid stays in cottages, yurts and camping areas.

They also run workshops and events related to sustainability and crafts, educational tours about organic and regenerative farming practices - with a strong emphasis on biodiversity - community engagement and low-impact tourism.

“We are very pleased to have both solar panels and two new refrigeration units installed in the store,” said Micheldever Village Store owner Raj Sangroula.

“The shop gets very hot in the summer, and our old refrigeration unit gave off a lot of heat, and increased temperatures. The new chilled cabinet has changed this and now the solar panels will save electricity too. “ The store is at the centre of Micheldever Village, a convenient space to stock up for locals.

Raj’s business installed seven solar panels with the help of a grant from Winchester City Council’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The funding aligns with the Government's themes of community and place, local business support and is part of a broader effort by the council to support local businesses and promote sustainability,

The installations followed a carbon assessment at the store, which recommended measures to increase carbon savings.

The purchase of a larger roaster, part funded by a Rural England Prosperity Fund grant facilitated by Winchester City Council, has enabled River Coffee Roaster’s business in Bighton, to increase production and grow their team with an additional staff member.

Will Harrigan, Founder and CEO, said: "The project has allowed us to increase our production capacity and identify further sectors for growth. This has given us access to over 700 universities with the potential to supply hot beverage products. Without the funding and increase of capacity, we would not have been able to achieve this.

The funding has supported an extra full time role at River Coffee Roasters, with the new employee learning how to operate the new equipment. It has also supported a part time role, taking our total employee count to six.

Since beginning in 2018, we have grown organically, focusing on creating a positive social and environmental impact while sourcing and roasting high-quality coffees. Our premises and team have grown, and we strive to keep evolving.”

Holden Farm in Cheriton, Hampshire, is a working arable farm, situated along the South Downs Way, making it a popular stop for walkers and cyclists.

The farm also offers a traditional camping experience and an outdoor farm café for visitors. The Rural England Prosperity Fund supported the provision of mobile shelters for the café and EV charging points, for visitors to use.

The farm also offers back-to-nature tent camping with facilities: hot showers, flushing toilets, washing-up areas, communal fridges/freezers, and now EV charging points.

They also have a separate field available for events or rural business retreats. 

Owner Rebecca Corbett said: "We are delighted with the field shelters that the prosperity grant enabled us to add to our café at Holden Farm. The café serves environmentally conscious visitors who leave their car behind and walk along the South Downs Way.”

Wonderseekers at Winchester Science Centre, in Chilcomb, received funding to install fencing between a children’s play area and a public footpath. The project included planting native climbing plants along the fencing and creating a habitat play area for young children.

Kate Wasche, Director of Fundraising, said: "We're delighted to have completed the first stage of creating a new science and nature experience for the youngest members of our community. This paves the way for phase two of the project when the Habitat Playpark will be ready for children to enjoy."

Winchester Science Centre, operated by the charity Wonderseekers, welcomes approximately 185,000 visitors annually. 

Paul Taylor, Founder and CEO said "This electric tuk tuk will help us to service the local community with our speciality coffee from ethical farms that is manufactured in the most sustainable way from tree to cup."

Construction of a balcony to enable the very young children who are cared for on the first floor to have access to fresh air.  The balcony will also enable faster and safer evacuation in the event of a fire.

Mark Robins, Finance Director, said: "Without the REPF funding, this important improvement to our childcare provision would have stayed on our wish list for another year or two”

Installation of three low carbon technology training bays: one for fault finding, the second for installation and maintenance and the third providing a live working environment. All bays equipped with electric vehicle (EV), photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage training rigs.

Suzanne Grant, Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO said: "This project aligns with our strategic priority to provide for a more sustainable future. It has provided the opportunity to add 3 new green technology offers to our Winchester based offer.  The new capital equipment allows us to make battery storage training, installation of electric vehicle charging points and installation of photovoltaic panels to a new generation of learners.  It further allows us to offer those technologies to local businesses and their employees who may be struggling to recruit or train staff to undertake delivery on these three important technologies which all provide towards the decarbonisation ambitions of the region."

n the six months following installation of the solar panelling, the system avoided the emission of 6 tonnes of CO2

Patrick Foster, Owner, said: "On the whole it’s a very positive outcome for the farm.  It’s making us think about adding another solar/battery system to secondary supply we have on the farm to be much less grid reliant.  The grant has also enabled us to have a much better-quality hut than we would have been able to afford otherwise."

The UKSPF supported a twelve-week football and cricket programme for children from Year 3 to Year 6, culminating in an inter-school tournament at the newly-opened KGV Sports Pavilion.  700 children from ten schools participated, creating a sense of community and encouraging long-term participation in physical activity.  

• 85% of participants reported increased confidence in sports.
• 70% of teachers observed improvements in their children’s teamwork and communication skills.

Calum Drumond, Health Improvement Manager, said: "In addition to skill development, the project played a crucial role in encouraging social cohesion and teamwork. By bringing together children from diverse backgrounds, it encouraged cultural exchange and friendships that extend beyond the activities."

Robert Shields, Chairman, said: "The funding has contributed towards a new minibus to replace a 10-year old bus that has become increasingly unreliable and very costly to maintain. The minibus has many scheduled trips linked to lunch clubs, dial-a-ride services and shopping trips, nearly all for the elderly and less able, so its constant availability is very important to the local community. The new minibus gives an assurance that this valuable service is maintained."

In the first two months following installation, Denmead Community Centre was 80% energy self-sufficient and avoided emitting an estimated 3.5 tonnes of CO2

Bob Porter, Trustee, said: "REPF Funding through Winchester City Council enabled us to install a PV array at the Denmead Community Centre which will not only have environmental benefits but also reduce our costs enabling us to maintain and enhance opportunities and activities for all the residents of Denmead and the surrounding area." 

In the first six months following their installation, the 45 solar panels generated 72% of the electricity used by the Hall. 53% of the electricity generated was exported to the Grid - equating to income for the Hall of £814 

Dr John Smith, on behalf of the Village Hall, said: "Fitting the solar panels to the roof of Easton Village Hall, funded by the REPF via Winchester City Council, has been a transformational local project which we hope will inspire others locally to consider similar sustainable projects"

Cllr Christopher Langford said: "The project has enabled us to replace our old gas boilers with an open loop Ground Source Heat Pump. This will:

1. Enable us to keep our hire rates affordable for hirers
2. Reduce our carbon footprint significantly
3. Mean we can share our experience of the installation and running costs with the wider public"

Photographs show Installation of the solar panels and the completed installation being admired by Danny Chambers, MP for Winchester, Alistair Black, Chairman of Sutton Scotney Parish Council, and representatives of WinAcc who advised on the system.

Sue Neilson, Parish Clerk, said: "The project has enabled us to install 30 solar panels on the rear elevation of our hall. We are proud that this 127 year old building is playing a part in tackling the climate emergency. We have been able to demonstrate to the community that despite the age, a building can adapt to offset electricity costs and reduce CO2 emissions.   We are optimistic that there should be a 40% saving on our [electricity] consumption."

Nunnaminster, which was later known as St Mary's Abbey, is located in the heart of Winchester city centre beside Abbey House and Gardens.  

Its original mounted interpretation panels have been replaced with freestanding panels at a lower level, offering better accessibility. The new panels also include raised detailing and Braille to assist those with sight loss and a QR code which links to a screen-reader friendly version of the text, a glossary of terms and links to further reading.

Emalene Hickman, Culture & Creative Sector Development Officer, said: "Thanks to UKSPF funding we were able to install new interpretation panels at the Nunnaminster site, restoring a piece of Winchester’s history. The new, more accessible panels will ensure that visitors and residents alike will have a new appreciation for the significance of the site and its place in our city’s story."

A local guide said: "Just a quick note to say how brilliant the new information boards are! I tried very hard to read the last boards but they were very weathered. The new boards are fascinating, full of things I didn’t know, and I took a group there last week and they thought they were great! I am a Winchester guide and I will take groups there all the time now!”

Eleanor Driscoll, Project Manager, said: "Friarsgate Park is a new vibrant temporary outdoor space created on the site of the former Friarsgate Medical Centre. The new space includes seating areas, a platform for arts and cultural activities, soft landscaping with wildflowers, and improved views of the River Itchen. Alongside the improvement works at Kings Walk, Friarsgate Park is one of several meanwhile initiatives being introduced as part of the first phase of Central Winchester’s Regeneration, as designs for the entire site are developed. It serves as a new outside community space as well as enhancing connectivity and biodiversity."

A stretch of the resurfaced path following completion of the works designed to improve drainage and prevent flooding.

Katie Morgans, Principal Landscape Architect, said: "The project to overlay the tarmac path has meant the surface has been improved for access by all and has tried to address future flooding issues by allowing it to drain more effectively during a flood.  The project has also introduced areas of biodiversity which will act as flood mitigation by providing the lost flood storage within the existing floodplain." 

James Fraser, Treasurer, said: "The construction of the Activity Barn will enable activities to be carried out all year round and not have to be cancelled due to inclement weather or low light.  In the past activities have had to be cancelled or curtailed due to the weather."

Coral Rogers, Recreation and Projects Officer, said: "Shoring up the bank with gabions has opened up the path, allowing better access to residents, the wider Winchester town and the many visitors who visit St Giles Hill.  and also allowed planting on the bank. It has also opened up the bank for native planting, benefiting biodiversity on the Hill."

Anna Herron, Sustainable Travel Officer, Sustrans South, said:"This project has enabled us to develop and run 24 new health walks, across 5 different routes, with 42 participants taking part in at least one health walk.  Participants were asked to complete a short feedback survey at the end of the walks and the common themes in these surveys show that this project has benefitted the local community by giving walk participants an opportunity to:

• Meet new people and socialise (20 comments),
• Exercise outdoors and spend time in nature (15 comments),
• Relax, find peace and feel positive (8 comments),
• Learn about their local area (8 comments),
• Visit new places / places they would not visit alone (6 comments)."