26 July 2007 This news release issued by Energy Action Scotland

MP Willie Rennie will today visit a community hall in his constituency which was nominated for energy efficiency improvements. The Queens Hall in Charlestown, near Dunfermline, has had a new heating system installed, thanks to a project organised by fuel poverty charity Energy Action Scotland.

Liz Futcher, development manager of the charity, explains: “As part of our warmer communities initiative, funded by ExxonMobil, we wanted to improve the energy efficiency of a community centre for the benefit of the people using it and to save on energy bills.”

Energy Action Scotland used the funding from ExxonMobil to engage Everwarm to install a new heating system. The gas system was upgraded with a condensing combi-boiler for heating and hot water and the Hall’s library got new radiators which have individual thermostatic valves for better control.

Willie Rennie, MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, says: "The Queens Hall is an excellent community facility that I was keen to support. I hope that these improvements will make the hall cheaper to run and more comfortable on some of our cold winter nights. Full marks to ExxonMobil and Energy Action Scotland for this excellent initiative."

The Hall is regularly used by local people for carpet bowling, a gardening club for its weekly meetings and its annual flower and vegetable show, meetings of the WRI and the Gellet history society, a very popular fitness club meets three times a week, and Limekilns Church holds a service on the first Sunday of every month for villagers who find the journey to Limekilns Parish Church too difficult. The Hall is also well used by people from the villages and other local areas for birthday parties, wedding receptions and other similar functions.

Richard HL Price, technical manager, Fife Ethylene Plant, ExxonMobil, added: “Energy efficiency is essential for us all - in our homes, businesses and community buildings. ExxonMobil is pleased to be able to support Energy Action Scotland in its warmer communities initiative and I am delighted to have the opportunity today to see this initiative in action close to our operations in Fife."

Energy Action Scotland will also arrange for advice agency Changeworks to give a talk to Queens Hall users about how they could save energy in their own homes.

Notes for editors
Energy Action Scotland is the national charity which campaigns for an end to fuel poverty and works to promote warm, dry homes for all.