"A confusing situation" is probably the best description of where we are at the moment.

BT/OpenReach (on the Scotland Superfast website (https://www.scotlandsuperfast.com/where-when/) say some of the valley should get Superfast broadband between July 2017 and December 2017. This is a delay of 6 months on what they were saying a couple of weeks ago.

Great, but disappointing that it has been delayed !!

The Gardener's Forum are once again organising the harvest supper which will be held in the Forman Hall on Sunday 2nd October at 7.00 p.m. following the Harvest Thanksgiving in the Kirk at 6.00 p.m. The menu will consist of Chicken and Mushroom Pie served with vegetables followed by Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce.  There will be a vegetarian option, please specify this when booking.  The cost will be £6 per head.  As usual please bring your own drink as we shall only be providing water.  The harvest supper is a lively and informal evening and you will be made very welcome.  If you would like to attend, please contact Judith Hutchinson on 01450 880653 or judith@bitstone.co.uk by the 23rd September.

See http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2016/07/scotland-names-next-batch-fibre-broadband-rollout-areas.html

The only Scottish Borders upgrade is "Camptown"

We're are still down for January to June 2017. Watch this space .....

:-(

Broadband Update

Good News on the Valley Broadband situation for most !

The good news comes from a few directions.

BT / OpenReach

This is the most likely route to SuperFast Broadband for the majority of Valley residents.

BT has given us a date for when most (BUT SADLY NOT ALL) will receive SuperFast broadband from BT.

The Digital Scotland Broadband website now says :-

Work under the Digital Scotland programme means that the first premises in this area are currently expected to receive fibre broadband in the period January to June 2017.

The working group have drawn up a list of events for 2016.  At our recent meeting Colin Plumbe stood down both as chairman and a member of the working group.  Colin was the driving force behind the setting up of the Gardener's Forum in 2009 and as a result of his hard work it has been a great success and continues to attract new members.  We shall miss his contribution. Sandra Knox has also retired from the working group.  Again, we shall miss Sandra who has been generous with her (very limited) time in support of the GF working group.  Both Colin and Sandra remain members of the GF.   I have agreed to take over the administration of the GF, Tom Hutchinson will chair the meetings and the working group will share the organisation of the events between them.

We continue to build on the success of the Pudding Club and the next event will be held on Saturday 23rd January at 7.00 p.m. in the Forman Hall.  The theme of the next meeting will be Winter Warmers and as usual we shall be serving a starter (soup) followed by four puddings.  The cost is £4.50 per head for CDT members and £5 for non-members, although you can join the CDT at the door.  The event is a bring your own bottle.  If you wish to attend please contact Judith Hutchinson on 880653 or judith@bitstone.co.uk before the 15th January to book your place.  You will be made very welcome.

The Digitial Scotland website has updated the information on Borthwickbrae Exchange, as follows :-

Work under the Digital Scotland programme means that the first premises in this area are currently expected to receive fibre broadband in the period January to June 2017. 

We have a date. It's a very ROUGH date, but it's a date.

:-)

Merry Christmas !

dp

Valley Broadband Update
The intention of this article is to update valley residents as to the latest on “Valley Broadband Speeds”.

For those with little time, a short summary would be that there are 2 routes for the Borthwick Water Valley to faster internet.

One is British Telecom bringing superfast broadband into the Valley, the other is through a Community-based Broadband Solution. Neither is imminent, with the BT solution potentially coming sooner, and the Community-based Broadband solution taking years to achieve, although there is a chance we could piggy-back on a South Lanarkshire community-based solution that is much further down the line.

In more detail :-

Scottish Water have issued advice to their customers concerning bogus callers.  Information concerning visits from Scottish Water employees is contained in the attached document. 

A yellow “be aware” warning for wind has been issued by the MET Office, effective from 6pm on Thursday 12/11 until 2pm on Friday 13/11. 

Gusts of 60-70 mph are likely with the possibility of gusts to 80-90 mph in exposed locations across the north and west of the area. There may be a risk of disruption to transport so take care if you are travelling. In addition, large waves may cause local over-topping along some coasts.

Winds will ease slightly during Friday afternoon, but it will remain very windy with some heavy showers on Friday, some wintry on hills