Eco-friendly light festival gets council funding

(L-R) Council regeneration and economy project officer Sarah-Jane Bellis, Kimberley James and Sarah Phillips from Gilbert White's House and Gil Satchell, co-founder of powerQuad

An eco-friendly winter light festival to be held in Hampshire has received over £40,000 in council funding.

The festival, which will use renewable energy and rechargeable power packs, will be held at Gilbert White’s House and Gardens, in Selborne.

East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) has awarded £41,455.48 to the event from its Rural Grant scheme.

Robert Mocatta, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration and prosperity, said the festival was a "fantastic project" that would help the local economy in an eco-friendly way.

The event venue is the former home of 17th century ecologist Gilbert White.

Sarah Phillips, income generation manager at the property, said the festival offered an interactive experience to enhance the story of his influential work as "the father of ecology" and pioneering discoveries of British wildlife.

The outdoor lighting installations will be rechargeable battery operated, using solar and pedal power.

PowerQuad, a Bordon-based energy storage company, will produce the power packs for the festival.

The firm's co-founder Gil Satchell said the event was a "unique project that will promote green energy usage and support the local economy".

Mr Mocatta said: "Not only does this fantastic project align with EHDC’s ambition to reduce carbon emissions, but it also helps to create a thriving local economy."