The Best Guide for the NN12 Area

TVB Workshop and AGM

retiring Chairman of Tove Valley Broadband.  Courtesy “Rip-off Britain Live.” 2015
 
“Drop in for coffee and a biscuit or two and talk to the experts about anything broadband.” That was the invitation that was sent on-line to all the members of our local Tove Valley Broadband network to attend a workshop in The Old School that preceded our little not-for-profit company’s Annual General Meeting.
 
And they came – not only from the company’s core areas like Wappenham and Abthorpe, but also from places further afield such as Whittlebury, Canons Ashby and Moreton Pinkney. As the company is aiming to ensure that most of its members receive broadband via a fibre-optic cable directly into their premises, encouragement was given to get them to co-operate with neighbours and take advantage of the Government’s Gigabit Voucher Scheme that is available to help defray the costs. In all 52 members attended the drop-in workshop and many stayed for the ensuing AGM.
 
There, David Symmers the Treasurer presented the Annual Financial Statement that showed a healthy surplus. In answer to a question from a concerned member, David assured everyone that our little not-for-profit company operated entirely by unpaid volunteers, is exempt from paying tax.
 
The Directors each reported on their area of responsibility – Keith Fenwick on Operations; Richard Tomalin on Communications, Phil Berry on Publicity and Peter Watkins on Network Systems.
 
Eric Malcomson the Chairman in his report stated that the company now had 658 members. He thanked all the volunteers who continually work hard to keep the network going and for dealing with problems with very little delay. Currently the 1,000Mbps connection is using about 90% of its capacity reflecting  increasing use of the Internet for streaming TV and films. As a result the company’s team has already looked into installing additional links to the Internet and is planning its installation after the end of the financial year.
 
Eric was pleased to report that all loans have now been repaid. This milestone in the company’s progress signals the end of his time as Chairman and the Board of Directors will shortly appoint someone else who will steer the company into the next phase of its development.
 
Our local area owes Eric a great debt of gratitude. Back in 2003 when it all started he had the vision, enthusiasm, tenacity and persuasive powers to ensure that TVB was a huge success. Thank you to a true broadband visionary!

John Riches

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