The community that BABE seeks to serve is located in the rural area to the east of Carlisle in the north east of Cumbria. It stretches from the Scottish and Northumberland borders to the lower reaches of the River Eden valley and its tributaries. The area has at its centre the market town of Brampton, which is a shopping and service centre for the area and has a population of 4,500. The town is located 10 miles east of Carlisle and 2 miles south of Hadrian’s Wall. The wider area is made up of small villages and farming communities and has a population of a further 10,000 or so.
The area has a vibrant mix of community activities based around the facilities of Brampton and over 20 village halls. Brampton has a Cottage Hospital, a General Practice serving the whole area, a 1500+ place comprehensive secondary school, a Library, an industrial estate and a Community Centre. Brampton was one of the first 100 towns in the UK to be granted “Fairtrade” status in 2005, and was the second in Cumbria to gain “Walkers Are Welcome” status in 2011. There are many community organisations in the area providing a wide range of social and recreational opportunities.
Support
Brampton and Beyond Energy Ltd was formed on the initiative of two local organisations: Brampton and Beyond Community Trust and Sustainable Brampton.
Brampton and Beyond Community Trust is an incorporated registered charity formed in 2010, taking over the operation of a long established Community Centre from its predecessor. This Centre provides a home for a wide range of community activity. It is the registered office and administration provider for BABE, and the Trust has been supportive in the establishment of BABE.
Sustainable Brampton was formed in 2005 to address concerns about global warming and oil dependency and help generate a local response and help make the area more sustainable. Its “Energy Action Group” was the forum from which BABE emerged and Sustainable Brampton continues to support BABE’s objectives and activities.
