Wymondham's Way Ahead Issue 6

Wymondham’s Promoting all that’s best in one of Norfolk’s fastest growing towns

Issue 6

Buttons sets the mood for Christmas Fayre Pages 36-37

Winter 2013

Big plans for town centre – pages 14-16

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Est 1987

Wymondham’s

Promoting all that’s best in one of Norfolk’s fastest growing towns

BUDGET TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS This bi-monthly magazine goes into more than 6,000 households and businesses throughout the Wymondham postal sector NR18-0.

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Editor Ivor Harvey writes:

W

ymondham’s Way Ahead magazine is about to mark it first anniversary and as the town plans for an eventful and more prosperous 2014 the magazine, too, will echo the positive developments ahead, In our first issue we said: Our aim is to promote all the good things that make this market town a unique, precious and priceless place in which to live, work and play.”

Since then we have seen many signs that Wymondham is taking a turn for the better and we shall continue to trumpet its cause as we go into the new year.

While it’s true that developers continue to cause worries about how our infrastructure will cope with the demands of massive housing development we can see opportunities on all fronts: a bigger footfall for our town centre traders; a bigger market for all the other services based in the town; more contributors to local charitable causes; greater recruitment opportunities for local clubs and societies…The list could go on.

Afforda In this issue we report on several important steps towards and eff ble ective a thriving Wymondham: way adverti to se y *Revitalised Dickensian Fayre (p9-12) busine our ss * Establishment of Wymondham Business Group (p14-16) *Arrival of super-fast broadband (p34-36)

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* Special rates for premier positions PUBLISHER AND EDITOR: Ivor Harvey, Top Row, Wreningham, Norfolk NR16 1AR T: 01508 489280 GRAPHIC DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: MDesign, Unit1, Europa Way, Norwich NR1 2EN T:07766 544056 PRINTED BY: Warwick Printing Co Ltd, Caswell Rd, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV31 1QD T: 01926 883355

eanwhile it’s important not to forget the long-established businesses that have served the town for many, many years. Among them are family businesses that provide an unmatched level of service in our shopping centre. They deserve and depend on our support.

Following the positive response to our article about Clements the Ironmongers in the last issue we will be focusing on other fascinating local businesses in the New Year. For instance, we will be featuring a butcher whose memories go back to the immediate post-war years and whose business has been run as a family concern since the 1950’s.

Don't miss our next issue - out in mid-January.

Ivor Harvey How to contact us

Ivor Harvey

To advertise or to place your community news call Ivor on 01508 489280, email: ivorharvey @btinternet.com, or write to Ivor at Peplins Cottage, Top Row, Wreningham, Norfolk, NR16 1AR While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of material published Wymondham Way Ahead Magazine takes no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by contributors or advertisers or for loss arising from non-publication of any advert. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in whole or in part without the express written permission of the publisher. Products and services advertised in Wymondham Way Ahead do not carry any endorsement or recommendation by Wymondham’s Way Ahead.

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Market Cross

Under the Market Cross with veteran journalist Ivor Harvey

Good ideas – now for some action…

S

o many good ideas have been thrown up with the launch of the Wymondham Business Group (see pages 14-16) that I can’t imagine how it can fail to gather more and more support.

This is far from the first time efforts have been made to revitalise the town centre but the difference here might

Reporter circa

1960’s

be that despite the lack of public finances the group might just have hit on the right moment to press ahead.

South Norfolk Council’s Market Town Initiative is intended to help financially not only in Wymondham but in Diss, Attleborough and Loddon.

It’s down to Wymondham to make every effort now to push the town’s case. We need help – and need to make sure we demonstrate we deserve it!

Strange then in view of Wymondham’s reputation as a go-getting town to see a message on the town council’s website declaring that two meetings were being cancelled because the council had nothing to talk about!

Bewildering – message on the town council’s website

A nasty foretaste of what's to come?

A

cynic might think the temporary traffics lights that have been springing up around town are all a crafty plot by the powers-that-be to condition us to what lies ahead when the massive housing developments planned for the area take shape.

Silfield has had quite a taste of it for some time but not content with that the route into town via the traffic lights has had a basin-full too – and it’s caused huge disruption.

All very necessary, it seems, to keep the gas supply secure but it does raise the prospect of some annoying jams ahead – particularly from the Silfield development.

Here we go again – more disruption on the Silfield route as a prelude to the work nearer the town centre.

Another book from the King of Sport

K

ing of Sport 1V – and much much more” – that’s the way the man himself, Les King, is styling his latest literary effort. The book will be on sale later this month and with 17 chapters must represent good value at £6.99 - especially since proceeds go to the Star Throwers charity.

Les is launching the book at the Wymondham Town Football Club at 4pm on Friday, November 29th.

He is hoping for a good turn-out - there will be free refreshments and the bar will be open.

His never-ending efforts for charity deserve every support.

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Market Cross

Under the Market Cross with veteran journalist Ivor Harvey

Full steam ahead for a new-look event

I

’m looking forward to seeing this year’s revamped Dickensian evening with the added “steampunk” ingredient. This seems to have caused a bit of a stir and loads of people have confessed to me they have no idea what it means.

So, here, in case it helps, are some extracts from Wikipedia’s description:

“Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steampowered machinery… often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's Victorian era or rooted in the era's perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art.”

Can’t wait to see how Wymondham interprets this. It certainly sounds like fun and with the move to a Saturday afternoon will hopefully bring some Christmas trade to our town centre traders.

Sad time for the Squires family

V

ery sad news of the Squires family who have run the Clements ironmongery in Fairland Street for many years came just too late for our last edition in which we featured the long-established business.

Kevin Squires, a partner in the business, died very suddenly at the age of 45. Hundreds of people showed their respect in attending a packed church at Hingham for the funeral service. Our deepest sympathy goes to George Squires and all the family.

Reporter circa

1960’s

Work in progress… coping with dementia

L

ast month’s “Way Ahead” magazine featured the help being provided in the town to people suffering from dementia so its great to see that over 70 individuals from businesses and organisations attended the launch of the Wymondham Dementia Friendly Community initiative.

Since then two workshops have been held as part of Age UK Norfolk’s training initiative offering businesses practical support in providing a service to customers with dementia.

It’s work that deserves every encouragement.

Spotted – the broadband brigade

W

ith men in yellow jackets frequently seen around BT lines and other installations the promise of fibre-optic cables bringing fast broadband to the town is soon be realised (see pages 34-36).

I had to make some long-winded tedious calls to a far off land the other day when my broadband connection failed altogether.

Here’s a tip if you are in the same boat: there’s a BT answering service in the UK that fields some of the broadband problem calls. It seems to be hit or miss whether your calls go overseas or to Newcastle and this, of course, is where the re-dial button comes into its own if you prefer not to go off-shore…

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Regular sing-songs are part of the dementia-friendly events held at the Fairland Church Centre Pabulum Café.

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Events

Steampunk plus Buttons – what a festive combination!

B

UTTONS – in the shape of Norwich’s Theatre Royal panto favourite Richard Gauntlett – will lend a hand with the switch-on of this year’s Christmas lights.

The switch-on will be a traditional part of the town’s revamped Dickensian Night – transformed this year with the addition of a “Steampunk” theme and moved from its usual weekday slot to Saturday afternoon.

Saturday 30th November is the special day to be in Wymondham… The event runs from 2pm till 6pm with entertainment being carried on in to the evening in pubs and restaurants.

Cheeky chappy Richard Gauntlett, will be joining Father Christmas and a host of dignitaries to help the lights switch-on at 4.30pm.

Two days later Richard starts rehearsals for this year’s Norwich Theatre Royal pantomime Cinderella.

It will see him return to the city to star opposite an all-star cast including stage and pop sensation Sheila Ferguson, former Emmerdale and Hollyoaks hunk Matt Milburn, and versatile actor Christopher Ryan, whose well-known roles include Mike in The Young Ones, and Marshall in Absolutely Fabulous.

Helping Father Christmas – cheeky chappy Richard Gauntlett, who is playing Button’s in this year’s Theatre Royal panto.

*Anyone interested in getting involved with the Dickensian Steampunk Fair should email wymfayre@gmail.com, and if you want to know more about the Steampunk theme and to know how to dress appropriately for the event, then you can contact artistic director Pete Green personally on pete@petegreen.co.uk *More on the Dickensian Steampunk Fayre overleaf

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Events

Saturday road closures

Live music… competitions… craft stalls… and Santa

T

he committee running this year’s Steampunk Dickensian Fayre has strived to add new ingredients to the longestablished annual event. Plans include live music, professional entertainment, competitions and quality craft stalls plus, of course, Father Christmas as well as a lot of Steampunk.

Pete Green, who is artistic director for the Saturday November 30th event, says “You might not know much about Steampunk and, yes, you will have heard different things from different people as it is a very creative genre. The only limits are your imagination!”

“We've added the Steampunk

*To make way for the festivities roads will be closed in the town centre from 12 noon until 8pm on Saturday November 30th but car parks will be open as normal.

element to make the whole thing just that little bit different.

The whole idea is to make this a massive free community event which everyone can take part in. And although the main Fayre runs from 2-6 there will be two all day competitions, one for children and another for those over 18.

“Add on busking whilst the stalls are being set up, street and stage entertainment during the day and that the pubs and clubs have appropriate plans for the evening, and you'll see that we are working on providing a very memorable event.”

Regal film revives memories of a dramatic fire

T

he Shuttered Room, which caused great controversy when it was shot at Hardingham in May 1966, is the Regal Experience’s next classic screening on Sunday November 17th (2.30pm). The show will be at the Wymondham Ex-Services’ Club (Regal Cinema).

In this highly dramatic thriller the story revolves round Hardingham water-mill, which was supposed

to be situated on an island off New England. The climax sees the mill burnt down – an action which at the time provoked outrage from preservationists.

Tickets for the show are available from Maureen Dodman (01953 605593) or Michael Armstrong (01953 603246) and at Simply Cards, Market Street, Wymondham. They are priced £5 (concessions £4).

Fantasy - with the Snow Queen towering over the crowds - played a part in last year’s festive event and this year fantasy will be taking a much bigger grip on proceedings.

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Once again we at Clements and Marola’s have put our heads together to provide some amusement for the Dickensian Steampunk Fayre . Come and visit us on Saturday, November 30 - and help us raise money for Wymondham’s Star Throwers charity.

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Town Centre Project

Unveiled - blueprint for a revitalized shopping centre Since the Mayor of Wymondham, Dianne Fernee, called a meeting with traders earlier this year to discuss the town’s retailing future a detailed plan has been shaped to revitalize the town centre.

The initiative is being led by the newly-formed Wymondham Business Group and here chairman of the group, DAVID DISNEY, explains their aims.

W

hat the Wymondham Business Group intends to do is seek out the programmes that exist in local, national and even international grant funds, find out how we can apply for these grants, and then as a group put together credible plans to spend that money in areas we all know and agree need investment.”

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South Norfolk District Council is launching a Market Town Initiative for projects such as these and because of the Mayor’s early intervention here in Wymondham, we're one step ahead, compiling a wish list of things that can and will be done quickly to make a difference sooner rather than later.”

ABOVE; Wymndham Business Group chairman David Disney who has just celebrated his first year trading as Disney's Delicatessen in Middleton Street, Wymondham and has enjoyed a rich and varied background including many years general management in the motor industry, running a cafe bar with his wife in Beccles, and more recently together founding and operating a hiking holiday business in Spains Sierra Nevada for almost a decade.

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October News

New signs…floral displays...cycle lanes…

O

ur plans include updated and proper signs pointing out to visitors where to park and where the principal landmarks are. Also a priority are town centre maps, showing all of the shops, cafés, pubs and all the civic amenities Wymondham has to offer. These to be placed in every car park in the town centre and at the stations both of them!”

Public get another shout over housing plans

We are looking for funding to allow the town to have a proper floral display with hanging baskets outside shops and offices to be properly maintained by both the council and participating shopkeepers perhaps.

T

A

nother public consultation begins over the final plans for new housing development in the town. Of the projected 2,200 homes needed by 2026 more than half have already been approved by the planners.

Green Dragon dubbed top community pub he Green Dragon pub wins the South Norfolk Community Pub of the Year award. The pub plans to spend the £1000 prize money on a music event at Wymondham Abbey, raising funds for local charities.

Big jobs boost on the cards at Hingham

A

big jobs boost at Hingham is promised with automative group Caterham launching a two-year plan to expand its works there with a new production plant. The firm is seeking planning permission to erect a new 7000 sqm building.

We want to tidy up the car parks and toilets, ensure that the railings and bollards around the town are painted regularly. We want provision of cycle lanes and routes through the town, with possible cycle hire at the stations.”

Overleaf – Plan for regular events

Waitrose celebrates five years’ charity work

W

aitrose celebrates five years of charitable giving, having chalked up £68,000 in donations to a wide variety of community projects. George Freeman MP pays tribute to the supermarket’s charity efforts.

Dementia Friendly – town’s new accolade

W

ymondham celebrates its launch as a Dementia Friendly Community. The event organisers are the Wymondham Dementia Support Group and Age UK Norfolk, who have been working closely together to develop the Dementia Friendly Community initiative in Wymondam. Over 80 businesses, organisations and local people attend the launch.

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Town Centre Project

Regular events – perhaps even restoring the carnival…

Continued from page 15

T

he Wymondham Business Group’s aim is to put together a programme of regular events throughout the year, involving all sectors of the community and utilising the facilities we already have but aren’t perhaps exploiting to the full.

We aim to explore the possibility of restoring a carnival to the town, expanding the number of busking

days, putting on events that will link with the Music Festival, Dickensian Steam punk, Farmers’ Market etc and stretch out the diversity of these events both on the Market Place and in other town centre venues.

We feel that Wymondham can be just that bit more interesting and entertaining than other towns in the area, and for our local population this in turn will mean a place that

Wanted – ideas to keep things fresh and relevant

has more going on, and therefore, and be a community worth getting involved with, and a better place to live.”

“If we make the effort to attract people to our town, then it must be clean and attractive and have a vibrant atmosphere when they get here. That is the challenge facing all of us for the future.”

Ambitious plan for a covered Market Cross

Shop

W

e'd like to see lampposts at one end of the town the town with hanging banners advertising the shops at the other end, and vice versa.

Plans include linking with established events, including the Farmers’ Market.

A

mid all the positivity, there's a call to arms for all town centre business operators.

“We don't think we have all the answers.,” says Mr Disney. “We need input and ideas so we can keep these events fresh and relevant. We meet every first Wednesday of the month, at 5.30pm in the council chambers, and we'd like other local traders to get involved.”

Membership of the group costs £10 per year per business, and further details can be obtained from the group’s secretary Stephen Green at Fosters Solicitors in Middleton St, Wymondham.

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We want wrought iron arches across the roads into the town centre that we can use to make a bold statement that says Wymondham is a proper heritage market town.”

We are even looking at an ambitious plan to get the Market Cross covered, albeit with a removable cover, so we can have events there irrespective of weather conditions.

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Charity Focus

Listen to local news – with a newspaper that talks

All set for another recording in the Wymondham studio

W

ymondham’s “talking newspaper” – produced every week for the Wymondham and Attleborough area - is a digest taken from the local newspapers and recorded by a group of volunteers.

The recording is multi-copied and sent by post on USB memory sticks to visually impaired listeners using the freepost concession provided by Royal Mail. Listeners return the sticks in a postal wallet and the process starts all over again. The recordings are also on the web at www.watn.org.uk The Wymondham and Attleborough Talking Newspaper, part of a network of over 500 UK groups, also produces a monthly audio magazine.

The service is offered free to the listener (funded by voluntary 22

donations) and the organisation provides simple equipment on which to play the recordings.

For those who are socially isolated the Talking Newspaper is regarded as a lifeline. “It’s like a group of friends coming through the letterbox, to tell me what’s going on in my community,” said one grateful listener.

The service is run entirely by volunteers including an editor, readers, a sound technician and helpers who handle the postal arrangements.

It operates on a four-week rota so nobody is expected to put in more than a few hours each month.

The 800th edition will be reached at the end of this year and to mark the

occasion local play writing group, Four by Four, will be recording a selection of their short radio plays, with a “newspaper” theme, for the milestone edition.

If you know of someone with a visual impairment in or around Wymondham, who would like to receive the Talking Newspaper or you would like to offer your help, please contact the secretary, Georgette Vale on 01953 605434.

Alternatively, leave a message via the WATN website www.watn.org.uk Tony Vale, Chairman, WATN and Talking Newspaper Federation Trustee

September News

MP supports Tiffey Valley campaign

W

ymondham’s MP George Freeman backs Friends of the Tiffey Valley - a group campaigning to halt proposals for a 70-home development in Chapel Lane.

The developers back their application with the promise an element of affordable homes and new footpaths.

Police warn householders of bogus workers

P

olice urge people to look out for bogus gangs offering to repair driveways and parking areas.

The gangs pretend to have materials left over from council roadworks and charge inflated prices for poor quality work.

Longer Post Office opening hours

W

ymondham Post office - closed from November 6th - is due to re-open on Friday, Novembr 29th after refurbishment. The Market Street branch will offer longer opening hours - 8am to 8pm from Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

It'a part of major investment programme across the Post Office network.

Andy Free Andy Free Andy Free Andy Free

Long-term sewerage works under way

A

nglian Water is building a new sewer in the Tuttles Lane area to cope with the new housing developments and improve flood protection. Most of the work will use "no dig" techniques but temporary traffic lights will be used at times. Work will go on into next spring.

Lit festival a success, say organisers

W

ymondham’s literary festival “Wyondham Words” is hailed a success by the organisers. This was the third festival which over a week saw writers stage a number of events around the town.

Oil price hike puts thieves on the prowl

I

n the lead up to winter police warn that it's peak time for thieves to steal heating oil. Homes, farms and commercial premises are all targets as the price of fuel soars. Check your fuel tank regularly, is the advice.

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Be inspired at www.georginaread.co.uk 25

26

Nostalga

Profiteering amid the Nissan huts – a life skill soon learned!

Schooldays in the grey and gloomy Nissan huts at Wymondham College will be a vivid memory for those who were pupils there from the 1950s to the 1990s.

Here ex-pupil MARK SCARFE recounts his experiences as a pupil in the 1970s.

O

ne of my three fine young sons moved from Primary School to High School this September, and was immediately floored by the 'school wobblies'. Multiple class rooms, complicated new timetables and foreboding teachers with funny names - it's all so new and scary . . .

He'll get over it soon enough of course, especially as these days schools have all manner of support systems in place to help their pupils.

A far cry from the 'get on with it' approach of the 1970s.

I arrived as a fresher at Wymondham College in September 1974. I had passed the old '11 plus' exam and immediately wished I hadn't.

While most of my exam-failing mates were happily strolling up the road to Costessey Secondary Modern, I was bundled into a diesel fume filled coach for a 15-mile trip to the college. It may as well have been Mars, I wasn't prepared for it at all.

It seemed so distant and so strange - endless lines of gloomy grey Nissen hut roofs arching over even gloomier interiors; unfamiliar new classmates; and the nagging threat of missing the coach home.

Somehow I muddled through until Kate Bush ruined my O level revisions in 1979. And though my school days were never the best years of my life

ABOVE; Wymondham College from the air - before the Nissan huts gave way to modern buildings, LEFT; Mark, Middle back row, BELOW; The college tuck shop as it is now.

I certainly have memories that make me smile - mostly when I was up to no good!

The school badge comes to mind.

With the help of a black felt tip, I changed the school motto on my blazer badge from 'Floreat Sapienta' (Let Wisdom Flourish) to a more child-friendly 'Flo eatS Pie'. My inventiveness was rewarded with a trip to the deputy head ('The Dragon') plus detention and lines.

I qualified for free school dinners and each week would collect a little strip of five crisp pink dinner tickets. The

same dinner tickets cost 25p each to my classmates, so I would sell mine to them for 15p each. Profits for all and more money for us to spend on American Hard Gums from the School tuck shop! A small cut of the profit put into the hands of the head boy, and he'd let me into the dinner hall no questions asked. I think they call that 'life skills' in today's schools!

27

Nostalga

Rescued from weekly torture by a new teacher!

Continued from page 15

I

loved the school dinners at Wymondham College. Toad in the hole - yum! Runny semolina & strawberry jam - double yum! They made an outrageously good ginger pudding which I can still taste. It was an early lesson in risk and reward - if you went in late there was a risk that it would all be gone, but also just a chance that you might get double portions!

With less fondness I recall squelching miserably through endless 'cross countries' - the default outdoor PE lesson for a rainy day. No designer trainers then, just pitifully thin black canvass PE shoes that where never designed for jumping through the College's infamous and boggy woodland ditch.

Then there was the weekly torture of facing the school swimming pool.

I was one of 3 or 4 wretched souls who couldn't swim, and no amount of teacher bullying would force us into the shark-filled deep end. For three years I endured a personal hell, until a new teacher arrived at the poolside. Chris Roberts ('Mr Roberts' to us) got me past my fear and had me swimming and diving into the

28

deep end within a single lesson.

I was less Rebecca Adlington, more 'dog overboard' - but swimming nonetheless and I'm forever grateful to that fantastic teacher.

And isn't that, in the end, what schools are all about - the quality of the teachers? Overcoming fears, making friends and learning new skills is all part of schooling, and every child has the right to be a child and have some fun. But great teachers really can inspire.

None of my old stories will make my son feel better, but I know he'll make it and I hope he too finds at least one inspirational teacher. I believe schools should be less about moulding uniformity and more about encouraging individual talent to flourish. In that respect perhaps my old college let me down, but I forgive them. I worked out my path in life eventually, and their ginger pudding really was exceptional!

TOP AND LEFT; Swimming Pool BELOW; Ice-cold Nissan hut classrooms in the depths of winter. Photos from www.wcremembered.co.uk

Wymondham College was a wartime military hospital and its 40 Nissan huts became classrooms and dormitories when the school opened in 1951 and were in use until the 1990s.

Schoolday Memories Do you have memories of schooldays in Wymondham? Email: ivorharvey@btinternet.com

Mark Scarfe attended Wymondham College from 1974 until 1979. He is now a professional Graphic Designer with his own studio in Norwich. www.aarlsen.co.uk.

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New Technology

Wymondham’s on track as Super-fast broadband is becoming a reality in Wymondham as British Telecom installs new equipment to bring the 21st century communications network to the town’s homes and businesses. Here MARTIN ILETT, a Norfolk-based telecoms expert, looks back on the technological advances that have led to today’s wi-fi wonderland and – overleaf – offers some guidance on how to make the most of the hi-tech revolution.

T

he roots of the Digital Age go back a very long way, but over the last 20 years or so several forces have come together to fuel the so called 'internet revolution'. Each of these developments has interested the enthusiasts and initially bored the masses, but together created an almost perfect jigsaw.

Home computing started off as an enthusiast sport: expensive, limited functionality, not very useful for everyday things and time consuming. With increased availability of software, bigger screens, more realistic games and a general trend to make technology more user friendly, the barriers to everyday usage have come down.

Now BT, the telecoms network provider, with huge networks connecting millions of properties. follow an eternal quest is to find new money-spinning services to

offer their customers.

Their networks are very expensive to build, so any way of squeezing more services over what's already in the ground has to be pursued, so first dial up data connections appeared and then the current ADSL system – short for “Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line”.

At the same time the business world started on their mission to create the mythical paperless office…

The businesses were hooked by novel creations like e mail (fast and cheap communications between business departments), then e mail to anyone in the world.

Martin Ilett by one of the new BT boxes bringing fibreoptic technology to home and businesses. Behind him is the original BT box - still needed to support the new service

In 1992 the first dial-up internet phone service was launched in the UK. Small businesses and home users could now do some clever things like

communicate between two places at a relatively cost effective price.

This wasn’t a big bang but another small step among many in the right direction.

How the digital world is taking over our lives 34

New Technology

broadband’s pace hots up

Microsoft had been in business since 1975 and in 1990 launched Windows 3.0. Many businesses adopted this for use on their PC’s as the basic software. More often new PC’s were sold with a copy of Window’s 3.0 in the home user market and so people who were exposed to using a computer at work could buy their own PC or get an enthusiast friend to show them the basics outside work.

Home and work started to overlap.

During the mid 1990’s e mail began to develop and standardise. Problems of different e mail service software packages not talking to each other were gradually dealt with. More software lead to more powerful PC’s being required with more capabilities

and as the PC’s became more powerful the software could become more complex, -the self-fuelling fire!

In 1995 Microsoft launched Window 95 with adverts, radio and TV coverage, even making news bulletins. Almost every man and his dog knew Windows 95 had launched, even if they had no idea what it was for.

In the same year the internet - a growing beast for Government departments, research and education organisations - was commercialised.

Removing the restrictions led to commercial traffic such as eBay and Amazon. All this created a cycle that ultimately fed off itself to drive innovation, demand and lower costs to the point where today for a huge section of the population, accessing the internet is a daily activity.

Martin Ilett’s company, Prophesy Ltd, based in Attleborough, specialises in IT infrastructure installations.

Phone 01953 711184 or 07771964596 www.prophesyltd.net

Roadside boxes hide the secrets to a new era 35

New Technology

How the digital world is taking over our lives As super-fast broadband arrives in Wymondham telecoms expert, MARTIN ILETT predicts how we will fair as the hi-tech world gains an ever-greater grip on all of us.

T

oday we have arrived at a point where virtually all businesses have a website even if only to say that they exist!

Government departments have put their form-filling bureaucracy on-line… train, bus and coach companies have their timetables available on-line as well as the facility to book and buy tickets, often with the seating plan to choose your seat….

But an array of these services has created what is now dubbed the

“Digital Divide” - those who are computer literate and those being left behind in the pre-digital age.

The digital divide is now almost as big as that between the folks who can't read and / or write and those who can.

most now will be working with some IT equipment while those over retirement age are a mixed bag of those who have embraced the new technology and those who have not.

But things will change…

Over the last 20 years children have had growing exposure to computer use, so pretty much anyone under 35 will be tuned into the digital world. Between 35 and retiring

As time goes by the IT illiterate numbers will decline and future generations will be immersed in IT gadgets, computers, mobile phones and other mobile devices as part of their education and eternal life-style.

Roadside boxes hide the secrets to a new era

G

reen boxes on the side of our streets are the key to the new super-fast broadband service being introduced in Wymondham this winter.

Its part of a nation-wide upgrade in the broadband service.

availability” and enter you landline number or house number and postcode. Click “check now” and if BT Infinity is not yet available click “register interest” and - if enough people do this – it should encourage BT to put your area further up the queue.

Better broadband will provide many benefits for Wymondham householders. This can include everything from improved access to online shopping to being able to stay in touch with family and friends or setting up a business and running it from home.

The roadside cabinets being connected to the new network serve very localised areas, so not all areas will receive faster broadband speeds.

Find out if a better service is available in your area by going on the web to www.bt.com/btinfinity and click on “check btinfinity 36

An illustration from the website www.betterbroadbandnorfolk.co.uk shows how the broadband signal is taken from the exchange to the new roadside box that transfers the signal by fibre optic cable into individual premises

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