Rural Grant helps first ‘Eco Light Festival’ powered by a local renewable technology company
A Bordon company will be delivering the UK’s first Eco Light Festival at Gilbert White’s House and Garden thanks to a grant from East Hampshire District Council.
We have awarded £41,455.48 from our Rural Grant scheme to fund the ground-breaking festival which will use renewable energy and rechargeable power packs, produced by powerQuad Ltd.
The funding makes up part of our Grow Up! programme which seeks to bring improvements to businesses and communities in rural East Hampshire.
The event will be hosted by Gilbert White's House and Gardens, the 17th century home of 'the father of ecology', and will focus on a message of sustainability. Based in Selborne, Gilbert White’s House is now a museum inspiring journeys of discovery into the natural world.
Held this winter, the festival will emphasise the importance of protecting the environment in a fun and exciting way.
Sarah Phillips, Income Generation Manager at Gilbert White's House and Gardens, said: “We are so excited planning for our first ‘Eco Light Festival’ for winter 2024. With sustainability at the forefront, we are developing an interactive experience that will enhance the story of Gilbert White, his influential work as 'the father of ecology' and pioneering discoveries of British wildlife.
“By partnering with powerQuad we will be championing an alternative light show, with an innovative and environmentally-responsible use of green energy. We’re also very grateful for the support that Callum and Susanna from Quality Marquee Hire have put into the design of this alternative light festival.”
Find out more about Gilbert White's House and Gardens
The outdoor lighting installations will also be rechargeable battery operated, using solar and pedal power. Renewable technology company, ‘powerQuad', from BASE Bordon, strives to help businesses reach net zero emissions through portable power packs, supplying outdoor power through renewable green energy.
Gil Satchell, Co-Founder of powerQuad Ltd, said: “As a local company working out of BASE in Bordon, we are proud to be able to provide renewable battery packs to this unique project that will promote green energy usage and support the local economy.”
Cllr Robert Mocatta, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration & Prosperity, said: “We are always very pleased when our funding enables local businesses to support each other. Not only does this fantastic project align with EHDC’s own ambition to reduce carbon emissions, but it also helps to create a thriving local economy.”
In total, six schemes were awarded money through the Rural Grant Scheme, a government programme to fund rural small businesses and community infrastructure.
The Rural Grant scheme will reopen for applications in spring 2024, and for more information please sign up to our business bulletins on our website.
Photo caption: L-R Sarah-Jane Bellis, EHDC Regeneration & Economy Project Officer, Kimberley James, Collections and Marketing Manager at Gilbert White's House, Sarah Phillips, Income Generation Manager at Gilbert White's House and Gil Satchell, Co-Founder from powerQuad.