Forest Community Energy organised and hosted a community event on the 25th October 2025 – this was the last public event ran with the support of the AURORA project but certainly not the last for Forest Community Energy.
The free drop-in afternoon event offered local residents an opportunity to:
- Get support and advice on making their homes warmer and more energy efficient
- Learn about the Forest of Dean thermal imaging camera loan service
- Learn about Forest Community Energy’s plans for community-owned solar in the district
- Meet other like-minded individuals and organisations
The group organised various stalls to create an engaging and helpful event for residents:
- Forest Community Energy – find out about us and what we do, get information on warm homes, smart homes and energy saving.
- Homeowner Stories – chat to residents who received grants and home installations
- Severn Wye Energy Agency – energy advice, grants advice, information about renewable home upgrades and more
- Evolve Home Energy Solutions – domestic solar, heat pump and insulation installer – advice, quotes and more
- Gwent Energy CIC – domestic solar and battery installer – advice, quotes and more
- Centre for Sustainable Energy – make your own draughtproofing snake activity
- Forest of Dean District Council – find out how you can borrow a thermal imaging camera for free from your local library or community hub and chat to the Council’s Retrofit Engagement Officer
- Free refreshments and cakes.
Local residents were able to see and try out different energy efficiency measures – brought by FCE volunteers and local organisations including:
- Thermal imaging curtains
- Induction hob
- Electric blankets
- Smart plugs
- Energy monitors
- Thermal kettles
The event was a great success! And a perfect chance for Forest Community Energy to “re-launch” themselves as a fully constituted and rebranded self-organising community energy group.
The AURORA Forest of Dean team are now stepping back from supporting our energy community but this event has shown how far they have come, and we are very proud of them and excited for what they’ll do next!
