Why fast broadband?
The other day a resident contacted the Clarion and said “Give me one good reason why the parish council should be bothering themselves about fast broadband? Surely there are other things more important than that?”
The best reason has to be that getting fast broadband was one of the priorities of residents at the Annual Parish Meeting earlier in the year, but trying to get it is probably one of the most ambitious projects the council could feasibly achieve for the village and would present a big challenge to the community. So over the next few weeks the Clarion will consider the rationale behind this initiative.
We will start with something easy, because it is based on survey evidence reported in the national press. Here is a recent quote from the Daily Telegraph -
Forget location, location, location. Think broadband, broadband, broadband. High speed internet access has become so important to house hunters that Rightmove, Britain
A source close to the company said: "Broadband is becoming one of the most, if not the most, important considerations for prospective buyers……By listing broadband speed with all the other property details buyers will be able to weed out homes that don't have high-speed access."
It comes after a survey found that almost three-quarters of house hunters would be "put-off" from buying their dream home if was not hooked-up to high-speed broadband. The ISP Review survey also found that more than half would pay more for a house if it had fast broadband.”
So, just say it makes a difference of only 1% - we think the cheapest house in Scothern is probably worth around £70,000 and that would mean it could be worth an additional £700 to the family occupying it! And it would appeal to four times as many people. And it could sell quicker. Or put another way, if other villages near Scothern have fast broadband and we don’t our houses might be that little bit less attractive to buyers than theirs, and sometimes it is the little things that make a difference when you are on the market. Makes you think, doesn’t it.
Flower and Produce Show
The Clarion has received the following from Dawn Bettridge and Jan Kenworthy -
"Villagers will now have received a copy of the schedule, together with entry form, for the Flower and Produce Show which takes place on Saturday 3rd September(delivered with August Parish magazine). Please, please, please have a go! We know there are a lot of beautiful gardens in Scothern as many of you enter the Best Kept Garden Competition, why not exhibit some of your flowers or veg in the show? Can we, also, encourage all you excellent cooks and talented craftsmen and women to let us share in your expertise? And , come on, all the young people of the village get crafty whilst the weather is wet and have a go at one of the childrens' classes.
We look forward to seeing some of you at the Show (don't forget entry forms need to be brought to 31 Sudbooke Road, Scothern on Wed 31st Aug or Thurs 1st Sept between 6pm & 8pm).
Scothern Cricket Club are organising a sporting evening with former England Captain, and current England
The club has arranged a high quality marquee at Scothern village hall on Friday October 28th. For just £30 a head (or £285 for a table of ten) you can have a fantastic village night out supporting the club and listening to anecdotes from the career of Graham Gooch, and no doubt some thoughts on the current England
Apparently Graham is an excellent speaker and the club is confident in extending invitations to all including families and younger guests. Anyone over 15 is welcome but dress is lounge suits and only one ticket price at £30 per head. The room is set out in tables of ten, but any number are welcome. Remember only £285 if you book a table of ten, saving £15. There will be a two course hot buffet meal, an auction of cricket memorabilia, and a raffle. A reasonably priced licensed bar, run by the club, will oil the wheels of what promises to be a very good evening.
You don’t need to be a cricketing buff to enjoy what could be a really good Scothern family night out. To book tickets contact Steve Bett on 07904 573102 or email scothernccevents@gmail.com
Have you been in Grange Park north west
Those white posts outside the Bottle and Glass
Readers will recall that it has taken quite a bit of geeing up to get the white posts outside the Bottle and Glass repaired, and that those at Elmdene have yet to be done (apologies have been received from Highways Dept for the delay). Yesterday the Clarion received the following email:
I read with interest the report regarding replacement fencing on the beck at the approach to the pub, and living opposite as I do I must say the whole job must have cost a fortune. The time it took to organize and the amount of labour involved was nothing short of scandalous. The replacement of four rails & the painting of same took an unbelievable long time with two men dressed as potential astronauts making an absolute meal of the job over three days. Is there any wonder our council tax is so high with such a small job being treated as if world war three was about to break out. All that was missing was a lifeboat in case the workmen fell in the beck. Perhaps someone could find out just how much it did cost. John Gibbon
Good question, John The Parish Council Clerk has written to the County Council to see if we can get an answer and if we get one we will publish it.
The Clarion by its nature is informal, raw and unapproved. It is supported by Scothern Parish Council but does not represent “official” council views or opinions, nor are its reports of council meetings part of the formal minutes of the council
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