Customer Stories

Local resident and keen supporter helps Humshaugh switch to a full fibre future 

The parish of Humshaugh sits right on Hadrian's Wall, at the banks of the river tyne just west of Newcastle upon Tyne. A village steeped in history, Humshaugh hosted what is recognised as the first official Scout camp from 22 August to 4 September 1908 and yet was being held back by poor digital infrastructure.

Home to hundreds of proud residents, one of them being Diana Linnett. As chair of the Village Hall Committee and a long‑standing local, she has been a keen supporter of bringing gigabit connectivity into the village with B4RN. The Village Hall Committee even provided land for the cabinet, with Diana involved from the early conversations, alongside a dedicated volunteer group who led much of the on‑the‑groundwork.

Understanding demand, feasibility and the path to full fibre 

Humshaugh’s journey began with residents registering interest, volunteers capturing demand, and B4RN assessing the feasibility of a full fibre build. Government voucher availability helped shape the project, and local investment played a role in unlocking the final green light. 

Connectivity before B4RN: slow, inconsistent and limiting 

Before B4RN, Humshaugh’s speeds varied dramatically. Many homes struggled under 30Mbps, some as low as five. For residents running businesses, it was a real constraint. For families, it meant buffering wheels and frustration. And for older residents, slow speeds often made technology feel “too difficult to bother with”. 

Despite Diana already having fibre, purely because a neighbour had needed better speeds for her business, she still chose to switch to B4RN because she was able to supercharge her speeds at a fraction of the cost. 

The myth of “I don’t need fast broadband” 

One of the biggest barriers Diana saw was perception. Many residents felt they didn’t need faster broadband because they only sent a few emails or didn’t consider themselves heavy users. 

But modern life is full of hidden technology. 

“People think they don’t need it,” Diana said, “but they don’t realise how many things rely on streaming now.” 

Smart TVs. Alexa. Automatic lawn mowers. Video calls with family. Emergency alerts. Church services. Even the basics of daily life quietly depend on a reliable connection. 

And as Diana put it: “You might not change what you do, but the fact it is so much faster takes away so much frustration.” 

Installation: careful, tidy and genuinely impressive 

When the build began, Diana visited the Village Hall site daily. What she saw left a strong impression. 

“The minute I arrived, the supervisor would stop, come over and explain what they’d done and what was next,” she said. “I would wish all teams worked like that.” 

“They left the place as tidy as you possibly can when you’re halfway through a project. They were all just delightful people.” 

Her verdict: “Absolutely superb. I couldn’t fault them.” 

Community involvement: neighbours driving change together 

B4RN’s model is rooted in communities coming together to drive change and Humshaugh is a perfect example. A committed volunteer group set up WhatsApp groups, shared updates, answered questions and helped neighbours understand what the project meant for them. 

“It really helped to get buy‑in,” Diana said. “People talking to other people, answering questions and chatting about the ways connectivity is needed in everyday life, even when they don’t realise.” 

This wasn’t marketing. It was local people supporting each other. 

What full fibre unlocks for Humshaugh

The benefits reach far beyond faster streaming. 

1. A Village Hall ready for the future

   Humshaugh’s Village Hall is an emergency hub with solar panels, batteries and a generator. Full fibre will allow residents to charge devices, stay connected and access information during storms or outages. 

2. A thriving film club

   The village runs a winter film club, but streaming has never been possible. With full fibre, that changes.

   “We hope to stream films in the future,” Diana said. “It will make the club more accessible and more sociable for everyone.”

   A reliable connection means more community events, more shared experiences, and more reasons for people to come together.

3. A connected church

   During COVID, funerals had to be filmed by external companies at significant cost. Soon, the church will be able to share services digitally, allowing family members to join from anywhere.

   “We will have the ability to share services with people who can’t be there,” Diana said. “That will make a huge difference.”

4. A village that can attract and keep families

   Diana believes connectivity will help Humshaugh stay vibrant.

   “When properties come up for sale, high speed internet is going to be a huge bonus,” she said. 

   Estate agents consistently list broadband quality as one of the top three factors buyers look for. For rural villages, it can be the difference between families staying, moving away, or choosing to move in. 

Looking forward: no more spinning wheels 

Diana is already anticipating the change. 

“I was watching the little wheel go round the other day,” she said. “It was a reminder of everything we won’t have to put up with anymore.” 

Final word: a project built with care, clarity and long‑term value 

Humshaugh’s journey to full fibre wasn’t quick, and it wasn’t simple. It took time, patience, feasibility checks, government support, local investment and a community willing to get involved. But what stands out is how B4RN handled every stage: clear communication, respectful work, tidy sites, and a genuine commitment to doing things properly. 

For Diana, the impact goes far beyond her own home. It strengthens the Village Hall as an emergency hub. It opens the door to new social events. It supports the church. It reduces frustration for older residents. It helps families stay connected. And it makes Humshaugh more attractive to the next generation who want rural life without rural limitations. 

Her description of B4RN is simple and grounded: “Motivated. Consultative. Well organised.” 

And her advice to any rural community considering B4RN is even simpler: “Do it. Definitely. And don’t wait!”