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B4RN Awards Go On Tour!

December 17th, 2021
Author: Mark Gray
Posted In: Latest news

(L-R) CEO Michael Lee, B4RN stalwart Bruce Alexander, former CEO Barry Forde

B4RN’s awards trophies are going on tour!

The INCA and ISPA gongs will travel round to the volunteers, champions and communities who’ve got the job done over the last decade.

First stop was Quernmore, where B4RN CEO Michael Lee waved the awards off to Bruce Alexander, who was involved with B4RN from the start.

Meeting at the first cabinet to have live customers, Bruce said: “When we pressed the button to ‘go’ we decided we’d do properties in two areas and one was Quernmore because we had a break out to the GEO [now ZAYO]. We had contractors down here and a merry band of volunteers. With a lot of help and learning from our suppliers we got fibre in and we got properties connected.

“I was connected as customer number 3! So that’s my claim to fame! Nowadays in Quernmore we’ve probably got 80% of properties on.”

Bruce added they were determined to show rural communities could do it for themselves: “It was almost as if we had a point to prove. We were pretty much just on dial-up! At that stage we were selling a dream. We were asking investors to take a bit of a punt. After we got the first customers up and live we then had a product and it was easier.

“We also managed to get a fair bit of media attention. We were on The One Show, Countryfile, Northwest Tonight. It was fun being involved in the beginning.”

A digging, blowing and fusing day in Quernmore, 2013.

Gavin And Belinda Second Nature Smallban

Stories from out in the field from our very happy customers

One residential customer in Over Kellet used to know whether it was worth firing up her computer by looking out of her front window to see what the weather was doing with her telephone line.

Customer Testimonial

We juggle two jobs from home, and it’s just been a game-changer. Just sign up! It’s the best internet service I’ve ever received, and I’ve moved a thousand times!
Georgiana, Dentdale
It has allowed us to improve our farm business through the implementation of Wi-Fi heat detection ankle bands on our herd, and thus improving our business productivity.
Heather Whalley, Farmer
OMG it is amazing! I don’t want to go back to London, which was faster than here, but not now! Just to say a BIG THANK YOU to all you guys, what a great thing you are doing. I’m shocked not everyone is signing up!
Customer in Norfolk
After lambing 1300 ewes a good film is what I want to watch and because we have B4RN that is no problem. Just enables me and my family to get on.
Farmer (Anonymous)
It’s like going from a Ford Anglia to a jet engine!
Jackie Frankland, Rathmell

We’re award winners!

Connected Britain Bpoty All Caps Edit Best Rural Isp Winner 2022 Inca Winner 2022 Medium Connected Britain Community Improvement Award Winner 2022 Inca Ispa 1663059912