A chart-topping musician, a local scout group and a local pub are among many who have benefited from a concerted push to secure a high speed broadband communications link in the West Hatch area. Following a series of public meetings organised by Connecting Somerset and the subsequent cooperation of a local farmer, the community now has full access to a wireless communications link installed by West Somerset Internet.

For 1980s pop icon, Howard Jones, who moved to the area a couple of years ago, the introduction of the new system has been of critical importance as he has just released two new albums and continues with a hectic schedule of touring and recording.

“The internet has transformed the music industry, not just for the consumer, but also in the recording and production process. Whether it’s transferring huge files of music tracks and remixes, sorting through the results of photo sessions or just keeping the website up to date, high speed access to the internet is absolutely essential for someone like myself. The introduction of the new system is great for everyone in the area and it just goes to show what can be achieved when a local community pulls together.”

Howard Jones has always been considered as a musician and songwriter at the cutting edge of music technology, creating much of his music with synthesisers, drum machines and computers, and has sold more than eight million albums worldwide. On a recent tour, members of the audience were offered live CD recordings of each show as they left the concert hall and some of his recordings are only available by downloading from his website which, after one recent TV interview, attracted no fewer than 45,000 hits in one day.

“Today’s technology opens all kinds of new creative doors”, he continues. “We can now make recordings with the different artists in different studios anywhere in the world and music has never been as accessible to the public as it is today. But, like anyone, I can only make use of the technology if I have good quality access to the internet – so, along with other locals, I’m very grateful for the initiative and help provided by the team at Connecting Somerset.”

Standard broadband connection is not available in the West Hatch area and, until now, the only option has been a satellite link to the internet which doesn’t provide a high speed connection and is prohibitively expensive for most residents and local businesses. Thanks to the cooperation of local farmer, David Vile of Higher Lillesdon Farm, a small transmission mast now provides the community with a seamless and high speed wireless connection to the internet.

Huish Woods Scout Campsite, which plays host to more than 30,000 children every year, and The Farmers Inn in West Hatch are among 17 other local organisations to benefit from the new system.

“The internet is now very much a way of life for individuals and businesses alike,” continues Howard Jones. “It opens up all sorts of possibilities for attracting the attention of the consumer and in the way we can communicate and work with others anywhere in the world. Thanks to the new high speed connection, for example, I can now use video-conferencing which cuts out so much wasted time and frustration when decisions need to be taken against tight deadlines”.

According to Connecting Somerset’s Andrew Knutt, who organised the public meetings and provided advice and support for the locals, the new system shows the community’s determination to harness the benefits of the internet. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way! The frustration caused by the lack of a standard broadband connection in the area was plain to see, but the response to our ‘call to action’ and training workshops has been tremendous. And, the result is that West Hatch is now connected to the internet with a stable, high speed and reliable link thanks to a supportive community spirit.”

Howard Jones shot to fame in 1983 when his first single, ‘New Song’ climbed to No 3 in the charts. He secured further chart success with singles such as ‘What is Love’, ‘Like to Get to Know you Well’ and ‘Things can only Get Better’, and many of his albums have reached platinum status. A classically trained pianist, he has maintained a prodigious output of recordings over more than two decades and is now releasing two volumes of piano solos and a dance remix album. He has headlined Madison Square Garden in New York and continues to enjoy sell-out tours around the world.

Note to Editor
Connecting Somerset is funded by Somerset County Council, the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), Mendip, Sedgemoor, Taunton Deane and West Somerset Councils, South Somerset Together, the European Social Fund and Business Link Somerset.

For further information, please contact :
David Wilford tel 01373 303004 mob 07790 774284 or Ron Dyson tel 01308 485707