Bankfoot's green church centre nominated for Green Energy Award

Oct 2 2009 by Our Correspondent, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE people of Bankfoot are proud to announce that the Bankfoot Church Centre has been nominated for a “Green Energy Award” under the category of “Best Community Initiative”.

The Church Centre has often been praised for being at the forefront of the practical application of environmental and community sustainability. The award of “Best Community Initiative” will recognise the incredible community spirit that helped the project come alive after a devastating blow in February 2004 when the old church was destroyed by fire.

The award would be a reminder to the village how far it has come since 2004. Rev Iain McFadzean, Minister for Bankfoot Church said: “I am delighted that we have been nominated for this award. The project is at the heart of our community and is trying to model, in practical terms, what we can do NOW to combat climate change. I believe many people are beginning to realise that big changes have to be made to our lifestyles and societies if we are to be responsible custodians of creation.

“Some of those compromises will be uncomfortable for some but we want to show that individuals and communities can take responsibility for at least some of those changes.”

The new Church Centre produces its own power from two wind generators and even draws heat out of the ground with the aid of a ground source heat pump, recycles rainwater and recycled materials have been used throughout the building. Work is currently underway to plant a community orchard.