Men's shed group receives solar panels grant

The North Lowestoft Men's Shed was given the funding to help buy solar panels for some new sheds on its site

A men's shed community group has received £3,270 to install four solar panels.

The North Lowestoft Men's Shed based in Denmark Road in Lowestoft, Suffolk, provides a space where men come together through a love of crafting and building.

Six east Suffolk councillors gave a portion of their own community grants in order to pay for the panels, which will power the group's new sheds.

John Ellerby, chairman of the group, said the team was "thrilled" with the money and the panels were vital for "bringing power and light to our reimagined beach huts".

"This is another of our ambitious plans for the men's shed coming to fruition and we are grateful for all the support we receive."

In July 2023, a single solar-powered shed was built on the site before East Suffolk Council recently donated several beach huts to the group.

Councillors Tess Gandy, Edward Back, Keith Robinson, Janet Craig, Andree Gee and Peter Byatt each gave a chunk of funding from their enabling communities budgets - which are worth £7,500 each for the year.

Gandy, Labour ward councillor for Harbour and Normanston and lead councillor on the project, described the initiative as "brilliant".

"We are all so pleased to support such an amazing group, which amongst its many functions, tackles social isolation in our local community."