Thank you to our latest supporters for their pledges. If you are intending to pledge, please do it now.

A big thank you to all those who have been so quick off the mark to pledge.

You are invited to an OPEN MEETING supported by Holcombe Rogus Parish Council AT HOLCOMBE VILLAGE HALL 7:30 on THURSDAY 9th MARCH. There will be representative from Openreach to answer questions We have all waited a good number of years with the promise that our Greenham exchange and box were to be upgraded providing us all with super-fast broadband. In reality, when the upgrade came, most of us learned a painful lesson in just how little distance the faster speeds carry over our long-distance, old copper telegraph wires (1000-1200m for >24Mbps). Whilst some of Holcombe is benefiting from faster speeds the majority of us, including Hockworthy, have been utterly disappointed. BACKGROUND Some time ago I contacted the BT Community Fibre Project about their community gap funding schemes that, in desperation, many rural communities are taking up. In essence, OpenReach evaluate the cost of installing additional fibre boxes. They factor in the potential take up of broadband and tell you what the gap is between that cost and the figure they consider financially viable. The community then raise this money and OpenReach install. Let me stop here and say that I know it is galling to have to pay for something that we all feel we should receive like the rest of the country, but the reality is simply this - successive Governments have promised a great deal about rural coverage but statistically our small communities stand little chance of investment. There are no current plans to extend coverage locally*. So taking in to account how vital good internet communication is to modern life, our children's education and rural businesses, to say nothing of house values, here is an outline of the HOLCOMBE ROGUS and HOCKWORTHY scheme. *A footnote to this is that the £440m investment in rural broadband, much discussed over the Christmas holiday, is yet to be allocated. Given we are already in contact directly with BT and Openreach we will here sooner than most and I have already put in my pitch that we are a “shovel ready” project. The latest information says allocation will be made by the summer, my fingers will be crossed - but I will not be holding my breath. This is why I believe we should start fundraising for ourselves now. THE MATHS OpenReach costs: We are exempt from VAT so the figure that counts is £34, 838 We have already applied for and been awarded a grant by a BT broadband for schools scheme for half this amount, £17, 419 This leaves £17, 419 to be funded by the community. This is not an insignificant amount, but technically if all the houses that could benefit (180) contributed it would amount to less than £100 per household. In reality many people will not or could not contribute. No one is oblige to take up broadband with BT once the upgrade has has been made. PRACTICALITIES The project is outlined on www.spacehive.com/holcombe-hockworthy-fast-broadband where an account has will be opened to hold the money raised. Spacehive works as a donation site, holding the money until the target is reached. They usually charge a 5% fee but this has been waived. Once the sum is reached it is paid to a specified account and on to OpenReach. Should we fail to raise the total amount and end the initiative, Spacehive refund all the money raised to that point to the individuals who contributed money to the scheme. No one will loose any money if the scheme does not go ahead. WHAT WILL YOUR SPEED BE? Call, or email, me with your address; I have a BT list of anticipated speeds. These may genuinely reach 50-80mg for many households in Holcombe but are a significant improvement for all of us and substantially above the Government figure of 10mg. Tel: Louise 01823 673025 WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP? Firstly, PLEASE forward this email to anyone you think may benefit. That may be anyone living locally or with children at Webbers School. We will need to organise a fundraiser. Please call if you would like to help or have any ideas. You can contribute at www.spacehive.com/holcombe-hockworthy-fast-broadband WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? PLEASE CONTACT ME. I need to gage interest in the project and to gather an enthusiastic group. We are holding an open meeting at Holcombe Village Hall 7:30 on 9th March Please come along. Thank you. I hope you will be interested in supporting this project. Louise Webber We are still in the initial stages of this project so information may be subject to change. The information contained is correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.