• Swindon & Wiltshire Social
• Wednesday November 19 2025

Wiltshire’s largest non-profit community energy group commits over £37,000 to local projects

Wiltshire’s largest independent non-profit solar energy enterprise, Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy has committed over £37,000 to local community groups this year.

WWCE’s dedicated Community Fund has approved 11 new grants in 2025, helping to fund pond dipping platforms for schools, solar panels for football teams and a whole host of other environment and wildlife-friendly schemes.

Julian Barlow, chair of WWCE said, “It has been an exciting year for WWCE. We’ve seen the completion of our latest public share offer for the Solar for Silverwood School project and announced that we’re to provide our largest ever grant to support Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Lower Moor Farm transformation, but knowing that our Community Fund is helping local organisations is probably the most rewarding achievement.

“When we do well, the community benefits and that’s never more apparent than when we enable fantastic projects, like the 11 we’ve funded this year, come to life.”

The grants range in value from just over £500 to £5,000, with the smallest helping volunteers at Warminster Community Orchard fund an electric strimmer to provide habitat for wildlife around its fruit trees.

Meanwhile, three projects were green lit for maximum grant amounts of £5,000.

Oliver Tomkins School in Swindon is using its money to develop an accessible wildlife area, while Friends of Monkton Park School and GUL Outdoor Therapy in Shrewton will be using theirs to install solar panels and provide battery storage.

Other solar schemes made possible by the Community Fund include the installation of solar panels on the roof at Derry Hill United Football Club, and a solar-powered lighting system for Wiltshire West District Scout Association, which were awarded £4,700 and £2,620 respectively.

Near Marlborough, Ogbourne St. George Village Hall will use its £1,800 to improve the building’s energy efficiency by replacing single glazed windows and installing LED lighting.

In West Lavington, students at Dauntsey Academy Primary School will benefit from a new pond dipping platform, outdoor seating area and improved wheelchair accessibility thanks to its £4,800 grant and Bishops Cannings Village Hall is developing a rainwater management programme for the site’s community wildlife garden.

Over at Corsley War Memorial Playing Field, £3,000 will be spent on its ‘Knowledge Trees’ project, developing skills around planting and maintaining the community orchard and trees.

Earlier this year, WWCE also sponsored Salisbury Transition City’s successful ‘People in the Park’ event – contributing to the cost of organising the inspiring, educational schedule and supporting young musicians who performed during the day.

WWCE’s committee lead Jon Bateman said, “I’m thrilled to have been able to commit funding to so many wonderful projects that align with our objectives of delivering more wildlife and less carbon for Wiltshire.

“As the energy enterprise has gained momentum, we’ve been able to funnel additional money into the Community Fund, which has allowed us to support more schemes than ever before. I look forward to following their progress and seeing the positive impact they make on people across the county.”

Last year saw the completion of a number of previously funded initiatives. These included a wildlife-friendly sensory garden for Meadowbrook CIC, the installation of a solar-powered lighting system for Equinox Scouts, and rooftop solar panels for Ashton Keynes Village Hall.

Applications for 2026 grants are now open and those received by January 26 will be considered at the first meeting of the WWCE Community Fund on February 9.

For more information or to apply, visit www.wwce.org/community

Pictured: Meadowbrook CIC received a grant from WWCE’s Community Fund to create a pollinator friendly sensory garden