Improvement work carried out at the Larruperz Centre in Ross-on-Wye is already paying dividends.

Last December a 10kw solar panel system was installed on the flat roof of the centre, this should pay for itself in about six years and will then produce a good income for the centre for the following 14 years.

It will also generate electricity for the centre’s own use helping to reduce costs.

Replacing the ceiling in the Paxton hall, and installing LED lighting and insulation has also helped to reduce the running costs of the centre.

These changes have been carried out as part of the Larruperz committee’s environmental policy. The board firmly believes that this is the best way to reduce the running costs and, to that end, their next project will be to install insulation throughout the upper floor to bring it up to the recommended standard. They also intend to replace all of the present fluorescent lighting with LED lighting, greatly reducing the environmental impact and saving about 70% of their lighting costs.

The Larruperz Centre will be applying for grants to offset the costs and as part of that process they need to demonstrate that user groups, and the public in general, are supportive of their policy.

If you support the Larruperz Centre trustees in their aims to become more environmentally friendly and energy efficient please let them know by calling into the Centre or email them at [email protected]