Somerset People and Connecting Somerset and the Somerset Broadband Programme

A Brief Look at the County of Somerset and its people.

Somerset is a medium sized county with an area of 3450 square kilometres and a population of 498,093 (2001 Census). South Somerset has the largest population of the five districts in Somerset, followed by Sedgemoor, Mendip and Taunton Deane, which have very similar populations. The population of West Somerset is the smallest.

There are a total of 210,587 households in Somerset and the majority of those (74%) are owner occupied. Council rentals account for 7% of households in the county. The average household in Somerset comprises 2.31 people. 27% of Somerset households have dependent children and 28% are pensioners.

castle hill

The electorate in Somerset tend towards a higher turnout in elections than the nation as a whole. It is particularly notable that two-thirds of the eligible population voted in the last general election. Local elections across the districts had an average turnout of 33% in 1999 and 40% in 2003.

Overall Somerset has a stable and successful economy, with many economic indicators performing better than the regional and national averages. Over the last decade Somerset has maintained a steady level of economic growth, low unemployment and continuous job growth. And with the advent of broadband, Internet use, and new ways of doing business we see Somerset growing even further into a secure future.

read about Somerset business

Don’t be left behind by the Internet – take a helping hand.
Anyone in (Mendip/West Somerset/The Blackdowns) who feels they’re being left behind by computers and the Internet will soon have the help they need to catch up. And they’ll have the chance to win a brand new laptop, a reconditioned PC system or a laser printer to help get them started.

The Internet and Me is a new, free publication from Connecting Somerset that will be distributed through libraries, adult learning and leisure centres, UK online centres, doctor’s surgeries and Age Concern offices throughout the county.

According to Connecting Somerset Project Leader Dave Cornish, “The world is changing, and the Internet is the single biggest cause of change. People who haven’t been able to keep up with developments, particularly those in rural areas, are starting to feel excluded. At the same time, many of them find the whole idea intimidating".

“This publication is a straightforward guide, using no technical jargon, that highlights the benefits of getting online and explains how to do it. It uses real-life examples and quotes from people who until recently had the same fears and questions readers may have. And it tells readers where they can find local help and support.”

Dave’s colleague Matthew Ballard adds, “The Internet and Me covers a wide range of areas, from what you need to get on to the Internet, online shopping, sending and receiving email, finding the information you need, accessing public services and far more.”

He continues, “Many of the people who have missed out on the Internet to date are in the older population segments. We’ve deliberately used a style and language suited to people of every age, not just the young audiences targeted by most computer and technical writing.”

And every reader will be able to enter a free prize draw to win a reconditioned PC system or laser printer, both donated by Community Computers, or the top prize of a brand new laptop PC.

Adds Dave Cornish, “This is just one of many exercises we’re carrying out at Connecting Somerset to help as many of the county’s people as possible gain the benefits of the Internet. Other activities have already been highly successful – boosting Somerset to the top of the Broadband adoption league tables, for example. And we hope The Internet and Me will have a similar effect on helping new Internet users get online.”

download Internet & Me magazine (PDF)

There are many technilogical possibilities likely to become reality over the next three to five years. As they develop, so will the expectations of people and organisations. Somerset needs the capability, infrastructure and knowledge – to become known as a well-connected county.

read more about Somerset 2012

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