When Walter Maunsel became the first Rector of St Marys Church in Lidgate, in 1302, his church was attached to an imposing castle.

It's impossible to know whether he imagined his Suffolk church would still be around more than 700 years later, and celebrated as the oldest in the country, but it is fairly certain he'd never have dreamed it would have a device to capture the power of the sun and use it to create electricity.

However, that's what was added to the roof of the church earlier this year when the parishioners celebrated the installation of a solar power system  funded in part by the Green Energy Trust.

Facing essential repairs and increasing fuel costs, it was decided that the church would look at sources of power that would look after the environment as well as meeting their needs.

The trust gave a 6,000 grant towards the cost of fitting an array of solar panels behind the parapet of the conservation village's church tower.

Alison McKean, Head of Environment at ScottishPower and a Trustee of the Green Energy Trust, said: We are delighted the trust has been able to assist with this project. Not only do the solar panels reduce the church's fuel bills, but also they provide a working illustration of sustainable energy use. We are especially pleased the project will enable more of the local community to use the church outside of regular worship.

ScottishPower leads the way in promoting renewable energy schemes and is directly involved, through the Green Energy Trust, in funding dozens of similar projects in communities throughout the UK.

The great enthusiasm with which the people of Lidgate have greeted this project sets a good example of how the latest technology can be used for the good of the environment and the community.

As part of the renovation and improvement work, St Marys Church is also installing a new toilet which uses harvested rainwater. Ultimately the solar panels will be connected to the National Grid to allow surplus electricity to be sold.
The vicar, Rev Ian Finn, said: "We are being encouraged to use buildings in different ways and we think it's a fairly imaginative way of using current technology. If it works well it could have long-term implications for other churches and other buildings.

"It is hoped the solar panels will help prevent the church from deteriorating by keeping the building heated for longer.

"St Marys is a busy church at the heart of a village with a population of 200. Additional funding for the renovation and improvements has come from fundraising by the congregation and from the Energy Saving Trust.

 

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