News & Events

News archive: November Newsletter

November 13th, 2012
Author: Chris Conder
Posted In: Archive News

Here is the November B4RN newsletter that is emailed to all the people that have registered with B4RN in one way or another so you may have seen this already but many may not have.

November Update

Free connections.
If you know anyone who really needs a connection and can’t afford one, then friends of B4RN may be able to help, please let them know using friends@b4rn.org.uk

The first 14 connections are live in Quernmore with 9 more scheduled. Arkholme fibre to light the hub was blown last Wednesday, fusion is happening now, with many houses getting installed ready for connection. Arkholme village hall will be lit soon, and we hope to hold an event where people can try it all out with their own laptops/phones/tablets etc. but we haven’t had time to arrange it because digging has been going on in many areas. If you have any spare time to give to the project please contact any member of the team who will be glad to take you up on it.

The current share issue offering free connections finishes on December 15th, so make sure if you are wanting to purchase a foundation share of £1500 you do so before the first year is over as this may not be available in the next share issue. Now is the time to invest to get even more value for your money. If you are a taxpayer you also get 30% tax back so don’t delay too long. The foundation share saves you £150 on install and £30 a month for the first year of your connection. (that bit isn’t available for tax relief). Please consult your financial advisor, and remember you don’t need to buy shares to get connected, but all those who have done are enabling our network to be built and the more who invest the sooner we can reach everyone.

If you are looking for a different sort of investment, B4RN is exploring the terms under which we would be interested in borrowing money – we expect to be able to offer a better return than a normal savings account, and your loan will help the community accelerate towards the broadband coverage we are planning. We would be very happy to explore with you how best to structure a loan to ensure that it fulfills your investment needs while also providing a benefit to the Lune Valley.

We are also exploring the possibility of bringing the fibre over the Lune from Arkholme to Melling via the railway bridge, so if anyone has any contacts in Rail could they please let us know. This will save us an expensive direct drill under the river.

Digging is progressing well in several places, and volunteers are always welcome. Also if you are digging and need help please let us know and we’ll try to mesh up the volunteers where they are needed.

Or keep an eye on our Facebook page where people tend to post things, you can skip the login screen if you aren’t on Facebook and just read the updates.  Our website news section also has all the latest info in date order.

Currently there is a lot of digging going on in Arkholme and if you want to have a look to see what is involved when you get started, they will be more than happy to show you around – of course, feel free to bring a spade. If you contact David Smith (or call into the post office) he will be able to tell you when and where digging is taking place. The routes are changing as people come up with great ideas to save time and costs, and the generosity of people helping their neighbours has to be seen to be believed. This really is building a network of people, and as usual the cream is rising to the top, and many of these volunteers will be offered employment in the future. There is also a fully qualified technical team who have worked tirelessly in their own time with Barry to help us make this network a reality. Well its happening, its fast, its good, and it will be coming your way soon. Are you ready to dig to a gig? Or have you found someone to help you? Can you help others? Together we Can Do IT.

More highlights

• Telecity-Manchester node is now operational along with the 128 Kilometre link to Quernmore.
• Direct links with major content providers such as BBC and Google are in and operational
• First batch of properties have been connected and we are fine tuning the network to achieve optimal service
• Digging going well with progress on a number of routes
• Arkholme dig, 3.5Km to link into our fibre backbone is done and fibre in.
• Digging underway across to Wray with sections completed in Roeburndale and Littledale
• Dig down to Caton about to start
• Digging underway to Abbeystead