The Community Council for Somerset has been developing a broadband project for rural communities in partnership with the Somerset Broadband Programme "Connecting Somerset".

By increasing the availability of broadband facilities and providing computer equipment, we hope to encourage improved access to services and more diverse use of Village Halls and other community outlets.  This will allow people in villages and rural locations greater opportunity to access the internet for business, leisure and education.

Through the project, we will provide opportunities for enterprise development and support, help overcome exclusion, skills gaps and barriers and help to develop sustainable Tourism and local identity.  The project will also provide opportunities to develop and maintain partnerships.  We want to give more people the chance to sample broadband and increase social and economic opportunities for rural communities

For many people living in Somerset, Village Halls play a  valuable part in community life.  Through this project, we will help ensure their future sustainability, as well as helping communities cope with the increasing threat and loss of local services.  West Somerset is already enjoying a successful broadband project and we want to bring the same opportunities to the rest of Somerset.  Similar projects are also taking place in other parts of the country - and we are learning from those examples as well.

The project began in January 2007 with a pilot of 4 Village Halls: Nunney, Berrow, Ilton and Winsham.  Each have different stories to tell and different hopes and aspirations for their future.

The 4 pilot halls are now fully functional (after having new phone lines installed, telephone masts erected and drains dredged).  We are now focusing on promoting the facilities to local communities and collecting feedback.  Indications show that the communities are benefiting from the facilities provided, which are being used by a variety of groups for a number of interesting purposes - ranging from supporting events taking place in the village halls to helping people to complete their tax returns.  Digital projectors provided to some of the halls are allowing the halls to host more events, which is increasing their popularity and usage.

10 further communities have now received equipment: the Balsam Centre in Wincanton, The White Hart Pub in Wiveliscombe, Compton Dundon, Pilton, Martock, Wookey, Seavington, North Petherton, East Chinnock and West Pennard. For further information about this project please contact Katherine Armstrong on 01278 699140 e-mail katherine@somersetrcc.org.uk

 Page last updated on 18/06/08.

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