B4RN - Community Broadband Project
Witherslack is now just 2km from the edge of the B4RN network at Gilpin Bridge. B4RN - ‘Broadband for the rural north’ works across northern Lancashire and is crossing into Cumbria & North Yorkshire. A Community owned & not for profit organisation, it has around 1200 shareholders and has raised £4.8M in shares & loans. BT has fibre to the cabinet before the service swaps back to copper wire, giving some of the village speeds of around 30 mbps download and 5 mbps upload, Yet many others in our community get a mere fraction of this speed - 1 mbps ! The B4RN network can offer speeds of up to 1,000mbps download & upload, future proofing our community, adding value to our homes and dragging us into the future with speeds and a capacity far ahead of neighbouring towns & cities.
There will be regular newsletters, which will be posted on here to keep you updated on how we are progressing our community ambition to bring ultrafast broadband connection to all properties in the entire parish of Witherslack, Meathop and Ulpha and to a few additional properties lying just outside of the parish, including those clustered at Whitbarrow Lodge
For further information please contact...
Your Witherslack B4RN team:
Rick Fry
John Geldard
Bill Gill
Mark Palacio
Steve Ratcliffe
Nick Stanley
Nigel Wilkinson
Witherslack School
http://www.witherslackb4rn.org.uk
There will be regular newsletters, which will be posted on here to keep you updated on how we are progressing our community ambition to bring ultrafast broadband connection to all properties in the entire parish of Witherslack, Meathop and Ulpha and to a few additional properties lying just outside of the parish, including those clustered at Whitbarrow Lodge
For further information please contact...
Your Witherslack B4RN team:
Rick Fry
John Geldard
Bill Gill
Mark Palacio
Steve Ratcliffe
Nick Stanley
Nigel Wilkinson
Witherslack School
http://www.witherslackb4rn.org.uk
October 2020 Update
Significant news about the build of Phase One next week - WATCH THIS SPACE We hope to bring significant news about the build of Phase One next week…fingers crossed!
However, in the meantime:
We know that some of you are now getting email notifications from DCMS to state that your B4RN voucher is soon to expire. Please ignore at this time and you don’t need to do anything. There is currently an extension in place due to Covid19. B4RN are monitoring the situation and if necessary will apply for an extension at the appropriate time. So whilst your voucher date may expire soon the voucher has not been cancelled. You will still be able to use the voucher and get connected.
Our community investment now stands at £15,500. And a big thank you to those who have added to the WUM pot. Our target, set by B4RN, is £60k and this needs to be reached before we can rollout Phase Two. So the details: B4RN Shares are purchased at £1 per share, currently attract 5% interest payable annually, have to be kept for a minimum of 3 years, and can only be sold back to B4RN for £1 per share. When investing in B4RN you SHOULD name the Witherslack, Ulpha and Meathop project as the one you wish to help build. These shares are called “withdrawable shares”, there are risks associated with buying these shares given that they are subject to the society’s financial position and the decisions of the directors. For more information about B4RN shares see www.b4rn.org.uk/b4rn-shares-prospectus
Investments of £1,500 and over are eligible for free connection (saving £150). Each investor can only receive a maximum of 4 free connections irrespective of their investment value. These free connections can be donated to other people. You may feel it appropriate to take professional advice before investing. If you have difficulty on line or if you would prefer a paper copy of the application form then please contact Steve at rattyandjackie@btinternet.com.
We also now need to prepare for the actual dig. Whilst the arterial routes will be undertaken by a contractor we will need the community to help with the digging within curtilages. If you would like to do your bit and help others within the community then please email volunteer@witherslackb4rn.org.uk we will then begin preparations. You don’t need equipment – just enthusiasm. Please note that when we first explored B4RN we asked our community to register Expressions of Interest. As part of that some of you may already have registered a willingness to help with the digging and you will be contacted shortly!
Finally in this newsletter we now need to advertise for anyone who would like to be considered for assisting with the installation of the house kits, and installing the ducting within individual curtilages. Remember that works in the curtilage will be covered (in part at least) by the £150 dig grant that will be forthcoming to each household on final sign up. Once the digging of Phase One goes live we will need your assistance please. Anyone interested please contact volunteer@witherslackb4rn.org.uk
Your WUM team…
However, in the meantime:
We know that some of you are now getting email notifications from DCMS to state that your B4RN voucher is soon to expire. Please ignore at this time and you don’t need to do anything. There is currently an extension in place due to Covid19. B4RN are monitoring the situation and if necessary will apply for an extension at the appropriate time. So whilst your voucher date may expire soon the voucher has not been cancelled. You will still be able to use the voucher and get connected.
Our community investment now stands at £15,500. And a big thank you to those who have added to the WUM pot. Our target, set by B4RN, is £60k and this needs to be reached before we can rollout Phase Two. So the details: B4RN Shares are purchased at £1 per share, currently attract 5% interest payable annually, have to be kept for a minimum of 3 years, and can only be sold back to B4RN for £1 per share. When investing in B4RN you SHOULD name the Witherslack, Ulpha and Meathop project as the one you wish to help build. These shares are called “withdrawable shares”, there are risks associated with buying these shares given that they are subject to the society’s financial position and the decisions of the directors. For more information about B4RN shares see www.b4rn.org.uk/b4rn-shares-prospectus
Investments of £1,500 and over are eligible for free connection (saving £150). Each investor can only receive a maximum of 4 free connections irrespective of their investment value. These free connections can be donated to other people. You may feel it appropriate to take professional advice before investing. If you have difficulty on line or if you would prefer a paper copy of the application form then please contact Steve at rattyandjackie@btinternet.com.
We also now need to prepare for the actual dig. Whilst the arterial routes will be undertaken by a contractor we will need the community to help with the digging within curtilages. If you would like to do your bit and help others within the community then please email volunteer@witherslackb4rn.org.uk we will then begin preparations. You don’t need equipment – just enthusiasm. Please note that when we first explored B4RN we asked our community to register Expressions of Interest. As part of that some of you may already have registered a willingness to help with the digging and you will be contacted shortly!
Finally in this newsletter we now need to advertise for anyone who would like to be considered for assisting with the installation of the house kits, and installing the ducting within individual curtilages. Remember that works in the curtilage will be covered (in part at least) by the £150 dig grant that will be forthcoming to each household on final sign up. Once the digging of Phase One goes live we will need your assistance please. Anyone interested please contact volunteer@witherslackb4rn.org.uk
Your WUM team…
August 2020 Update
With some more sign ups and investment we will starting digging next month
Newsletter August 2020
Route 1: Gilpin Bridge-Foulshaw-Town End- Village Hall (VH)
Route 2: VH to Millside, Beck Head, Oversands School and The Lawns
Route 3: VH to Town End, Derby Arms, Ulpha and Meathop
Route 4: VH to Halecat, Dean Barwick School, Spa, Strickland, High Low Farm and Nichols Wood and Helm Crag
Sign-up progress
The Witherslack, Ulpha and Meathop (WUM) community B4RN project has now got 151 sign ups (in excess of 38% of properties in the parish). In the last four weeks we have had a further 18 properties sign up.
We still need to encourage more sign-ups from our community, but we anticipate this becoming easier when people see our aspiration becoming a reality. Importantly we need to get to 50% sign-up before we go live (called the “blowing of fibre” stage) so do please encourage friends and neighbours to take a look at what is being offered - forward this newsletter to them and ask them to CLICK HERE to apply if they haven’t already done so.
Wayleave Progress
The Village Hall Committee has agreed that we can base the cabinet adjacent to the Village Hall and our enormous thanks to them for believing in this project. And our thanks also to all of those landowners on Route One and Route Four who have now kindly signed wayleaves for the route to cross their land. Importantly, given that WUM B4RN is a community benefit project, you should know that such wayleaves are signed in the full knowledge there is no financial benefit – it is simply an act of kindness to allow this community to improve its broadband connection for us all. Wayleaves have now been signed for all of Route One and we have, so far, got to the primary school with signatures on Route Four so we are motoring well at the moment. This is an important step as B4RN will not put us into what is known as “build stage” until we have wayleaves for entire routes signed. Given that we are now at 38% sign-up and 100% wayleaves signed on Route One and the cabinet we are seriously expecting to be put in to “build stage” within the next few weeks!
Investment
Our community investment now stands at £13,000, which has risen significantly since we put out our request for individuals to consider purchasing B4RN shares. In part this has been assisted by Dean Barwick School now becoming part of the B4RN project but it has also been assisted by individual members of this community…a huge thank you. We need to encourage further community investments with our maximum target being £60k before we go LIVE.
So the details: B4RN Shares are purchased at £1 per share, currently attract 5% interest payable annually, have to be kept for a minimum of 3 years, and can only be sold back to B4RN for £1 per share. When investing in B4RN you SHOULD name the Witherslack, Ulpha and Meathop project as the one you wish to help build. These shares are called “withdrawable shares”, there are risks associated with buying these shares given that they are subject to the society’s financial position and the decisions of the directors. For more information about B4RN shares see B4RN investments Investments of £1,500 and over are eligible for free connection (saving £150). Each investor can benefit from up to four free connections from a £6,000 share purchase. These free connections can be donated to other people. You may feel it appropriate to take professional advice before investing.
Build update
As explained above we should begin build in September, and that will mean a contractor appointed to begin laying the fibre ducts. B4RN now has a target date of going live for Dean Barwick School by March 2021.
As always, if you have any questions then please contact us info@witherslackb4rn.org.uk.
Your WUM team is, and please note we have two new members:
Niels Christiansen
Bill Gill
Nick Stanley
Rick Fry
Mark Palacio
Nigel Wilkinson
John Geldard
Steve Ratcliffe
Sue Caddy (B4RN)
Katie Welch
Ian George
October 2019 Update - Great News
Over the summer months your Witherslack B4RN team has made significant steps towards bringing ultrafast broadband to our entire community.
Expressions of Interest – Target Reached!
At the beginning of August we reached 200 registered Expressions of Interest from business and residential properties in the parish -far quicker than we’d anticipated. At that point we were able to inform B4RN that our community was serious about bringing ultrafast broadband to the parish. And they in turn told government and registered our interest.
Voucher Scheme Now Launched
So, today we can launch the Get B4RN voucher scheme for our community. This scheme brings down government funds that will help us build our broadband network. Irrespective of whether you have registered an Expression of Interest or not it is very important that you now apply for your Gigabit Voucher (Click Here).
Registering and completing the voucher process will mean the Government will allocate grant funding towards the deployment of B4RN in our area. We estimate that the network will cost about £600,000 and, therefore the more vouchers requested in Witherslack B4RN the higher proportion of project costs will be government funded and the less we will need from local investment. So, we now need your support and for you to encourage neighbours and friends within the parish to also apply.
Applying For Your Voucher
Applying is really easy - just follow the hyperlink https://b4rn.org.uk/postcode-checker/ or go to the B4RN website and enter your postcode - it will then take you to the Gigabit Voucher Request Form.
There are information leaflets on line to assist if you are a business (same process but a few more boxes to fill). You also need to indicate when you wish to take up a service (either immediately after we build the network or after another contract with another internet provider has expired) - but please note this is an indication only, and not a commitment.
Whilst it only takes a few minutes to fill in and is easy to complete if you do need assistance then please just ask one of your Witherslack B4RN team to help.
Routing the Fibre to Your Home
As well as encouraging Voucher sign-up the Witherslack B4RN team are now looking at the route design. Yes, we already have an initial route that covers the whole of the parish, and which could serve all properties!
We are now walking the route and checking with various landowners that they are happy for the route to go across their fields. Over the winter months we will be getting wayleaves signed, ready for commencement of the build (or plough). There is much to do but getting ultrafast broadband to our community is very nearly happening!!
Questions?
You may have lots of questions or indeed know of others who have questions and indeed reservations. So we are organising another Village Drop-In event on 7th November from 7pm (doors open at 6.30) in the Village Hall with refreshments.
David Ryall from B4RN will be present to assist us all. You will also have the opportunity to register for your Gigabit Voucher at this event.
Do please encourage as many of your neighbours to come along to hear of the latest developments. Attached to this newsletter is a short briefing note outlining some of the benefits of having B4RN Broadband.
More Information:
Timetable
Possible start date; This depends on completion of the nearby Levens fibre network. Construction of this new superfast network is imminent with a 9 month full installation programme planned. The fibre link to Witherslack which will connect to the Levens network may be able to start around June 2020, assuming funding commitments are secured, main route planning is finalised, and, importantly, securing wayleave consents from land and property owners.
Possible go-live; This depends on installation of the network. Similar areas served by B4RN typically require 9-12 months although some communities have achieved go-live after only 6 months.
Funding
The government provides grant funding for superfast fibre broadband to rural communities under the Gigabit Voucher or Rural Gigabit schemes. This is worth up to £1500 per domestic property and up to £3500 for small businesses.
B4RN will apply to the government for funding but first we must each register with B4RN so that they can secure the funding on our behalf.
In our parish there are some 400 households or properties of which up to 25% could qualify as a small business.
B4RN are very experienced in securing funding through the government schemes; it just takes us as a community to commit.
Wayleaves
B4RN works by minimizing use of highway-owned land (e.g. along roads or roadside verges) and planning their fibre routes across private land within the parish area. This requires extensive community liaison and support and requires landowner consent which takes the form of a simple plain English wayleave which can be revoked at any reasonable time (unlike a legally-binding easement).
Community Involvement
Critical to success is a substantial collective effort from the community. This will not be easy, but many others have achieved success. Beyond committing to B4RN’s voucher application and agreement on fibre routes across private land, the next commitment will be time and a willingness to help our neighbours, and some physical work. Most of the cable laying will be by B4RN’s civil contractors using specialist machines laying the fibre ducts at 450mm (18”) depth. But there will be areas where additional labour is needed, for example crossing gardens etc to get the fibre to people’s houses. The core network is professionally built leaving the curtilages as the owners’ responsibility. Anything we can do will reduce costs and improve installation time.
B4RN Coverage & Network Development
B4RN already benefits over 6000 properties and businesses in rural areas in the northwest. Our parish area of Witherslack will be one of the next. We will make it happen
So to get your voucher click here and questions email info@witherslackb4rn.org.uk
Expressions of Interest – Target Reached!
At the beginning of August we reached 200 registered Expressions of Interest from business and residential properties in the parish -far quicker than we’d anticipated. At that point we were able to inform B4RN that our community was serious about bringing ultrafast broadband to the parish. And they in turn told government and registered our interest.
Voucher Scheme Now Launched
So, today we can launch the Get B4RN voucher scheme for our community. This scheme brings down government funds that will help us build our broadband network. Irrespective of whether you have registered an Expression of Interest or not it is very important that you now apply for your Gigabit Voucher (Click Here).
Registering and completing the voucher process will mean the Government will allocate grant funding towards the deployment of B4RN in our area. We estimate that the network will cost about £600,000 and, therefore the more vouchers requested in Witherslack B4RN the higher proportion of project costs will be government funded and the less we will need from local investment. So, we now need your support and for you to encourage neighbours and friends within the parish to also apply.
Applying For Your Voucher
Applying is really easy - just follow the hyperlink https://b4rn.org.uk/postcode-checker/ or go to the B4RN website and enter your postcode - it will then take you to the Gigabit Voucher Request Form.
There are information leaflets on line to assist if you are a business (same process but a few more boxes to fill). You also need to indicate when you wish to take up a service (either immediately after we build the network or after another contract with another internet provider has expired) - but please note this is an indication only, and not a commitment.
Whilst it only takes a few minutes to fill in and is easy to complete if you do need assistance then please just ask one of your Witherslack B4RN team to help.
Routing the Fibre to Your Home
As well as encouraging Voucher sign-up the Witherslack B4RN team are now looking at the route design. Yes, we already have an initial route that covers the whole of the parish, and which could serve all properties!
We are now walking the route and checking with various landowners that they are happy for the route to go across their fields. Over the winter months we will be getting wayleaves signed, ready for commencement of the build (or plough). There is much to do but getting ultrafast broadband to our community is very nearly happening!!
Questions?
You may have lots of questions or indeed know of others who have questions and indeed reservations. So we are organising another Village Drop-In event on 7th November from 7pm (doors open at 6.30) in the Village Hall with refreshments.
David Ryall from B4RN will be present to assist us all. You will also have the opportunity to register for your Gigabit Voucher at this event.
Do please encourage as many of your neighbours to come along to hear of the latest developments. Attached to this newsletter is a short briefing note outlining some of the benefits of having B4RN Broadband.
More Information:
Timetable
Possible start date; This depends on completion of the nearby Levens fibre network. Construction of this new superfast network is imminent with a 9 month full installation programme planned. The fibre link to Witherslack which will connect to the Levens network may be able to start around June 2020, assuming funding commitments are secured, main route planning is finalised, and, importantly, securing wayleave consents from land and property owners.
Possible go-live; This depends on installation of the network. Similar areas served by B4RN typically require 9-12 months although some communities have achieved go-live after only 6 months.
Funding
The government provides grant funding for superfast fibre broadband to rural communities under the Gigabit Voucher or Rural Gigabit schemes. This is worth up to £1500 per domestic property and up to £3500 for small businesses.
B4RN will apply to the government for funding but first we must each register with B4RN so that they can secure the funding on our behalf.
In our parish there are some 400 households or properties of which up to 25% could qualify as a small business.
B4RN are very experienced in securing funding through the government schemes; it just takes us as a community to commit.
Wayleaves
B4RN works by minimizing use of highway-owned land (e.g. along roads or roadside verges) and planning their fibre routes across private land within the parish area. This requires extensive community liaison and support and requires landowner consent which takes the form of a simple plain English wayleave which can be revoked at any reasonable time (unlike a legally-binding easement).
Community Involvement
Critical to success is a substantial collective effort from the community. This will not be easy, but many others have achieved success. Beyond committing to B4RN’s voucher application and agreement on fibre routes across private land, the next commitment will be time and a willingness to help our neighbours, and some physical work. Most of the cable laying will be by B4RN’s civil contractors using specialist machines laying the fibre ducts at 450mm (18”) depth. But there will be areas where additional labour is needed, for example crossing gardens etc to get the fibre to people’s houses. The core network is professionally built leaving the curtilages as the owners’ responsibility. Anything we can do will reduce costs and improve installation time.
B4RN Coverage & Network Development
B4RN already benefits over 6000 properties and businesses in rural areas in the northwest. Our parish area of Witherslack will be one of the next. We will make it happen
So to get your voucher click here and questions email info@witherslackb4rn.org.uk