Cathy Ryan

13 March 2025

Can homemade cake and a small grant from Low Carbon Hub play a part in developing a zero-carbon future energy system? 

The answer is yes! As demonstrated by Sustainable Wantage, who used a small grant from Low Carbon Hub to stage their ‘Clean Heat and Free Cake’ event on Saturday, 8 March at the Beacon Centre in Wantage. 

Over 100 people attended the vibrant event in the hope of finding out more about reducing energy demand in the home and the possibilities for generating and storing clean energy through solar PV and a battery. A range of companies, installers and experts were invited to help people navigate through a range of information on new technologies, with the promise of free cake.

The event got off to a great start with a talk from Low Carbon Hub’s CEO, Barbara Hammond, on the possibilities for a Zero Carbon Energy System for the Future. There was standing room only for Barbara’s explanation of how the energy system currently works and how a system based on renewable energy could be achieved and benefit everyone. It stimulated debate and a lively Q&A session, with lots of interest in Low Carbon Hub’s new 10 Year Strategic Plan.

The feedback from people who attended the talk was that they had never heard such a clear summary of the big picture of how the energy system operates, followed by the positive message of the potential solutions available to make it work for as many people as possible.  

The tea and delicious free cake, made by Down To Earth Cafe, kicked in and everyone was ready to hear from Geordie Stewart, Scheme Manager at Cosy Homes Oxfordshire, on the Whole House Plan approach to retrofitting, and installing energy efficient measures in the home. Many people were keen to hear more from Geordie following the talk and he was busy with enquiries at the Cosy Homes stall for the rest of the afternoon.

There were several other equally well attended talks, on Domestic Solar Systems from Honest Solar, Domestic Battery Systems from Mark Golding at Spirit Energy, and Installing Heat Pumps from James Eades at Energy My Way. People who were interested in finding out more about heat pumps, solar PV and batteries appreciated being able to chat directly with experts and contactors without any sales pressure.

After the talks people were able to get advice from a range of stalls, including Sustainable Wantage’s Draughbusters volunteers, Westmill Sustainable Education Trust, Low Carbon Hub and Low Carbon Oxford North’s Housewarming exhibition. 

The afternoon culminated with a Resident’s Panel, where local residents were able to share their personal experiences of installing energy efficient technologies with their neighbours and members of Sustainable Wantage.  

The event showed that many people are thinking about installing energy efficient measures in their homes but are not sure where to start or who to ask for clear independent advice. By organising such a friendly and positive event, where people could talk informally to experts and installers, Sustainable Wantage were able to guide people towards a greater understanding of new technologies and how they work together to reduce energy demand and increase energy efficiency. 

Our Community Grant Fund offers financial support for community energy activities across Oxfordshire. Each of Low Carbon Hub’s network of community groups can apply for a small grant of £500 in any financial year. So long as we have sufficient funds in the pot, it is our aim to fund all qualifying applications. 

Find out more on the Community Grants pages of our website.