What is it? 

Computers with  Broadband Internet connection along with associated hardware and software. protection.

Who can use it?

Available for anyone to use.  (Children under 11 must be accompanied by a responsible adult).

When can I use it?

Schedule for sessions (click here)

What has it been used for so far?

Allowed people to access e-mails and the internet when their own service has been interrupted.

Many residents have benefited from using the facilities in the Village Hall with help from a team of volunteers and have subsequently bought their own equipment.

The Gardening Club and Jubilee Club have hired the facilities as an aid for a guest speaker making a presentation.

The Youth Club use the computers extensively and have made short films.

The Church and Pre-School use the internet connection to aid communication for the running of their businesses.

The Village Hall use the equipment to show 'Flicks in the Sticks' and have been able to generate much needed funds for the Village Hall.

Also there is a computer with a permanent connection to Broadplace sited in the Trefonen village shop.  Patrons can use the computer for free and other users are charged at 50p an hour. 

Do you want help to use a computer?

Would you like to learn to surf the web?

Already have some skills but would like to practice?

The Broadplace has a team of 15 people who help run sessions at the village hall with another 4 volunteers who have essential jobs on the management committee.

As part of our drive to continually improve, several of the volunteers have undertaken training to enable them to better help people who would like to learn/increase their computer skills.  We will be running a series of short courses during the Autumn and Winter.  The dates for these will be published on the web-site in addition to notices being put on various notice boards.

Phone Helen on 01691 654059 and we will match a volunteer to your needs at a time to suit you.

We invite you to support this village service by becoming a patron of the Broadplace and yearly subscriptions are as follows:

Individual:     £10                             Family:   £25

 In return you would have free access to the open, public sessions of the Broadplace and the knowledge that you are supporting a local, community service. The broadband connection is paid for by Switch on Shropshire, with funds from the European Union and the Regeneration Fund.  We have to ensure we pay for the maintenance and replacement of the equipment, subscriptions to software, materials, and support for our volunteers.

To register as a patron please contact:

Mrs K Kimber (Chair), on 01691 679646

Trefonen Broadplace AGM – 19 January 2010

Chairman’s Report

What has been achieved in the last year?

Following the break-in during the night 6-7 February, and the theft of the laptops, the projector and peripherals, the Broadplace was equipped with an alarm system, which could, if needed, be extended to cover other parts of the Hall. The installation of the alarm reduced the excess on any Hall insurance claim for break-in from £2,000 to £250. Volunteers were trained in the use of the alarm and the Broadplace was able to reopen for business once the laptops had been replaced.  This was a demanding and frustrating period, which necessitated our dealing with loss adjustors, insurers, the County, the Village Hall Management Committee, security firms and the Police.  We are most grateful to the County Council, particularly Flavia Humphreys, for the support received during this period.  The perpetrators of the crime were not apprehended. 

 Following the resumption of business, the public sessions on Thursday afternoons and on Tuesday evenings, and the Genealogy Group, continued in the Village Hall, although there was sometimes difficulty in getting people to staff the sessions.  Village groups have continued to use the facilities, with the Pre-School and Youth Club being regular users.  Flicks in the Sticks has continued and become a regular feature of Trefonen life.  As we move away from the Hall and reach the church, the wireless link continues to be used by the clergy, administrators and those working with young people.  The final stop is at the Village Stores/Post Office, which remained, in our view, the place offering the potential for the majority of public use. 

Pat Jones, a member of the Management Committee, has continued to maintain the Trefonen.com web-site.  This enabled us to organise a third Auction of Promises in May, our contribution to the Hill Walk Weekend, in which we raised just over £2000 for the charities supported.  We have decided that we should not run an Auction in 2010, as we became aware that the same small number of people were making the majority of the promises and bidding for the majority of the lots.  We shall keep our contribution to the Hill Walk under review.

 The major development during the period is the shift from users seeking drop-in sessions to wanting specific or discrete training and support. Digital photography, PowerPoint and Dreamweaver training had been added to the list of specific courses held.

 However, the most striking feature of Trefonen Broadplace remains the commitment and enthusiasm of the many people who keep the show on the road.  There are eleven people on the Management Committee, each fulfilling an essential role.  Some of them are also volunteers.  There are twelve volunteers, all of whom have CRB clearance and several of whom cover the majority of the sessions.  Helen Hunter Hayes continues to co-ordinate our whole operation with her customary efficiency, knowledge and ability to keep us looking forward and exploring new avenues.  It is due to her drive that the additional activities have taken off, and she is seeking to extend our range yet further.  Thankfully she has an excellent sense of humour, because there have been occasions when practical difficulties have been significant.  I am also aware that far more time is spent fulfilling this role than most people realise.  We owe her a huge vote of thanks.  Thank you for all the leadership and support you have given, Helen, and thank you to all the volunteers for your expertise and valuable contributions.  They are greatly appreciated.

One member of the Management Committee is relinquishing her officer’s post.  Sheila Smith, who has been our treasurer since we started, has to give up this work because of increased responsibilities at home.  Sheila has given generously of her time to support the Broadplace operation, particularly during testing times when she has been ill or she has had demanding family obligations.  She has driven the patronage scheme and kept it going for three years, meaning that we have had little additional fund raising to do.  She has also kept the books with diligence and care.  We thank you most warmly, Sheila, for your invaluable contribution. 

During the year we signed our first agreement with Shropshire Council, a formal but constructive and helpful document.  We continue to benefit hugely from the support of Flavia Humphreys and Bruce McDonald, whom we consider as friends and part of the team.  We record our warmest thanks to both of them.  We also record our heartfelt thanks to our patrons, local people who make a financial donation to ensure the future of this community service. 

And what are our aspirations and concerns as we look forward?

As before, our aspirations are simple: to continue to provide a service to the local community, to enable those with limited knowledge and/or facilities to enjoy the benefits which broadband brings, and to build opportunities to promote the identity and spirit of caring within this rural community.   We shall strive to find effective ways of working with both individuals and groups.  With the departure of the Pre-School from the Village Hall and changes at the village shop in the near future, we shall have opportunities for development to consider.

K Kimber  -  Chairman                                                                                 12^th January 2010