Our Projects
Solar success!
In May 2025 we successfully installed 36 solar panels on the roof of the library building which will generate more electricity in a year than the buildings annual electricity grid consumption. Officially making us carbon net zero!
Our running costs have been reduced by 75% from 2022 levels from £5,440 down to £1,338 per annum.
This project is a huge achievement and it was completed in just two years from the inception of the project to its completion.
We celebrated on an appropriately sunny day in July with many of our generous funders, members of the community and the team that made this project possible!
What next? Batteries, to harness excess energy for use later on, further reducing our reliance on the grid. Watch this space…
Our benefactors
We are very grateful to all those organisations that have supported the upkeep and development of the Hungerford Hub through donations or grants. These bodies include:
All our book sponsors
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Cancer Support Group
Greenham Trust
Hungerford Town Council
Hungerford Town and Manor
Kennet Accordion Orchestra
Miss Lawrence Trust
West Berkshire Community Fund
Englefield Trust
Mr & Mrs Menezes
Tesco Hungerford
Hungerford Environmental Action Group (HEAT)
Ambrose and Ann Applebe Trust
West Berkshire Community Fund
Rural England Prosperity Fund
Community projects
We also fundraise for projects to maximise use of the space. We want the Hub to be a colourful, comfortable and flexible space, to encourage all members of our local community to visit and benefit from the facilities on offer. To this end, we have worked with many local businesses, groups and organisations.
Here are some examples of our recent and ongoing projects:
- Our Kids Art Mural, which was designed by local children and painted by local artist, Gemma Kirby. We are currently working with Hungerford Primary School on a project to extend the mural around the entirety of the children’s section of the library.
- Investing in flexible furniture (moveable shelves and tables), which has enabled us to offer the space out to a wider range of activities and larger groups whilst the library is closed. It has also meant we can host Hub dance/exercise groups – so far we have offered Bollywood Dance, Line Dancing and we are looking to host a Greatest Showman class!
- Designing our beautiful outside courtyard with help from local gardener, Emma Binns. This mindful retreat is now furnished with benches for peaceful reading and has been redesigned to appeal to local wildlife too. We have now entered the Hungerford In Bloom competition for the third year running, winning a Silver Award!
- The Hub hosts and supports a weekly Citizens Advice session. Run remotely by Citizens Advice West Berkshire, residents who would struggle to visit the service in Newbury or do not have internet access at home, can pre-book a slot to access this important service from the Hub.
- Tea & Coffee Wednesday. Funded by the Hub, this initiative started as part of the Warm Spaces project this winter in conjunction with the library. The popularity of the tea, coffee, squash and biscuits means we continue to offer this to visitors every Wednesday.
- The Giving Tree. The Hub continues to host this important annual Christmas campaign as part of West Berkshire Council ongoing work, alongside partner organisations, to support, protect and care for victims of domestic abuse within West Berkshire.
- The Well Read Mind Programme was funded and delivered by the Hub in conjunction with the award winning Hungerford Bookshop, and Greenham Trust and West Berkshire Council. The free event series offered talks and activities focussed on encouraging and exploring wellbeing and health.
