Full EIS approval received

We have received confirmation from HMRC that our application to run an Enterprise Investment Scheme for the project has now been fully approved. This is a significant event as it should attract more investors to the share offer.

The final draft of the share prospectus is being considered by the Board tomorrow following which it will be published. This is the final part of the funding strategy that should enable the project to supply fibre optic broadband to every dwelling in both Garsdale and Dentdale get underway.

If you would like to pre-register your interest in receiving a copy of the share prospectus then please email fibre-garden@outlook.com with your full contact details.

Anarchy in the BDUK?

Anarchy in the BDUK? BT to build over wireless network in Worcester - as reported in recombu

Worcestershire County Council are planning to let BT build in an area already supplied with broadband by wireless ISP Airband.

A community project funded with £700,000 of Worcestershire taxpayers’ money has seen Airband given the go-ahead to provide up to 50Mbps wireless broadband to those thought to be in the last 10 per cent of the county.

Share Prospectus Ready

We have now received back the final copy of the share prospectus from the lawyers,  which is to be reviewed and hopefully approved by the Board of Digital Dales (UK) Limited at it's Board Meeting on 1 September. 

It has been a long time coming but it is the most important document we have produced so far. Following the Board meeting it will be circulated to every dwelling in Garsdale and Dentdale and will be available on the website and through this blog.

Superfast broadband - and the lack of it

Further evidence has emerged confirming the slow pace of progress when it comes to improving rural broadband speeds, according to the Rural Services Network.

Superfast broadband - and the lack of it - is the focus of this newsletter from the Rural Vulnerability Service - brought to you by the Rural Services Network in association with Calor.

Broadband and the Economy

The Rural Services Network has published this article stating that 'better broadband would boost the economy'. It would appear that Four out of five (80%) of all adults agreed that rolling out high-speed broadband across the whole of the UK would have a positive impact on the economy. 

We certainly think that this will be the case for both Garsdale and Dentdale and surveys will be undertaken to help measure this.

Local Farmers

A meeting took place today with a group of nine Garsdale farmers with the aim of bringing them up to speed on recent developments to to secure their continued support for the project.

The meeting was held at Lucid Training and many thanks to them for the excellent lunchtime refreshments. Discussions focused in project finances, route planning and wayleaves. It is hoped that some trench digging would start in November. Thanks to all those who attended and for a very positive meeting.

Registration Received

We have now received the registration documents for Digital Dales (UK) Limited which is the new company and cooperative that will be used for the delivery of the project. The registration means that we can now finalise the share offer and publish for all to take part!

Following our visit to London to present to the SIB Group (Social Investment Business) as part of our application for support funding for the project, we are delighted to advise that this has been successful! There will be the usual due diligence checks and other conditions to satisfy but recognition of Fibre GarDen as a worthy community project by The SIB Group is of immense importance and we very much look forward to working with them and their representatives.

The funding, part grant and part loan, equates to approximately £200 per property in the two Dales and brings the total funding raised so far to £435,000 for the network build. In addition to this we have previously raised some £28,000 to cover startup costs.

Now it is over to you as members of the Garsdale and Dentdale communities. As soon as the new company registration certificate arrives for the Co-operative, we will be able to launch the share offer which will be your opportunity to invest in your community project to secure super fast broadband, via fibre optic cable, to your property.