Tell us what you think of the Eden Declaration!
17:09 in News by Louis Mosley
On 6 November, 150 activists gathered in the village hall of Great Asby in the Eden Valley. They had come from a hundred different villages by a hundred different paths. Those 150 were the leaders in a broadband movement which is part community experiment and part constitutional revolution: they are building the Big Society and the best superfast broadband in Europe.
The Eden Declaration is the product of that event. To join the discussion about its content, create an account. What should we add? What should we take away? What more could we do? Make your voice heard!
But there’s lots more to discover on this site.
You can learn about many of the amazing benefits of high speed broadband. If you’re confused by the jargon, take a look at our broadband glossary, co-written by dozens of volunteers from all over Cumbria in a fantastic example of community action. If you want a quick primer on broadband, check out our Basics page. And don’t forget to create an account or browse the existing groups, members, and discussions.
The campaign page gives a potted account of the journey so far. The Eden Declaration lays out where we want to go.
But to get there, we need you!
So, please create an account, sign the the Eden Declaration, and join the swelling ranks of Cumbria’s broadband champions.
150 champions gathered at Great Asby. Spread the word about this website to your friends and neighbours, so that next time we make it 250!
Good to hear of this campaign. Like others who have commented, I work a good deal from home - as journalist and author broadband is a vital link but the system is stuck in the age of steam power and less reliable. I waste a lot of time either re-sending information or re-working files to get them through the pipes. Paying the same rates as everyone else at BT but getting a second class broadband service. The technology and profits are there at BT, all it needs is the will.
Stephen, very good point about the variability in quality on offer from BT and all the ISPs that use the antiquated copper wire system that BT employs to provide “broadband” currently.
See 9 minutes 15 seconds into the BBC Inside Out programme here http://nextgenus.blogspot.com/2010/11/inside-out-coverage.html for a great beer-based analogy from Spencer Kelly on how ludicrous the whole “upto” situation is!
Cumbrian Communities can really make the most of the Big Society opportunity created by Rory Stewart by considering the Social Enterprise alternative and removing BT from the equation for good.
Well done to all involved and thank you for your efforts on behalf of the whole community
This is a really good idea, something needs doing to increase service for those who work from home or use the internet socially, alot.
The trouble is BT have asurvey / sign up for interest in their updated Broad band system nad if villagers signed up it may get ‘put in’ but when I did so only 4 out of 600 + had done so
This is great to hear. I work mainly from home & if the Broadband goes down in Warcop, I’m stranded. Thanks goodness for the Church Gallery coffee shop in K.Stephen! With rising fuel prices - living & working in Cumbria everyone’s running costs are higher. It’s estimated if you live in a rural area it’s at least 20% than someone living in a City. So the more people can access high speed broaband to make us more efficient, the better