Whilst overall PC ownership is high within the community (74%), it is low for the over 65s (47%) and for those in lower-income households (also 47%). Indeed, these two groups are 51% and 50% respectively without any PC in the home at all. Furthermore, nearly a third of farmers (32%) have no PC in the home.
Of those who do have one or more PCs in the home, there appear to be two distinct groups of users: (1) younger families (aged 25-44) with dependent children, predominantly middle class and middle-income, where the children are the main users of the PC(s) in the home; (2) Empty-nesters/’baby boomers’ (aged 45-64) , weighted towards ABs, who mainly use their PCs themselves.
‘Remoteness’ seems to have no visible impact on level of PC ownership. The highest incidence is in Blackford/Stoughton, with the lowest, overall, being in Wedmore/Latcham - although the differences here are not highly significant, statistically speaking.
The key finding would seem to be the gap between the most and the least fortunate members of our community. These data have already been passed to Angela Vivian in the hope that they will provide her with ammunition that shows that the oldest and least wealthy people, plus farmers, are in need of access to computers within the Isle of Wedmore. She seems to think that it will be a help, so good luck Angela with your fundraising drive!
As regards other new technology issues, the following findings emerged:
55% felt this would be useful, with only 18% feeling it would definitely not be useful (only 9% of farmers thought it would not be useful). Those who thought it potentially useful were more likely to live either in Wedmore/Latcham (59%) or Blackford/Stoughton (61%). Perhaps these two locations currently have the most trouble getting reception?
Apparently, the higher the density of ‘phone masts in an area, the less damage is done to the brains of individual phone users, since phones can operate on a weaker signal if coverage is better. With so many of our young people now using mobiles, there may be a health case to be made for more signal, as well as a business and convenience case.
Again, a majority overall felt this would be useful (51%), with only 18% judging it not useful. Those under 65 years old are much more likely to want broadband (63.5%) as they are mainly economically active, and the principal users of this facility would be businesses and home workers. Again, enthusiasm is highest in Blackford/Stoughton, where 66% feel it would be useful.
According to BT - who must provide this facility - only 77 people on the Wedmore exchange have so far registered an interest in having broadband, and they will only consider it if enough people register. You can register online at www.bt.com/broadband. However, the current map of the South West is very sparsely covered by broadband, and BT are likely to resist requests from small communities on grounds of cost. An alternative approach for the IoW could be via an in-village LAN linked to a central radio mast (see below).
A more balanced response; 30% saying this would be useful, and 27% saying not useful, with 35% undecided (46% of those whose families have lived here for generations are undecided). Possibly there is insufficient knowledge for the public to judge the benefits of this at the moment. 35% of those under 65 think it would be useful (only 16% of the over-65s).
An in-village LAN could provide a ‘gateway’ into internet-using radio technology, say via a ‘hub’ at the top of the church tower. This would be much cheaper and easier than installing copper wiring, and could bring forward the date on which the Isle of Wedmore can have broadband high-speed internet access. BT say that some such schemes are already ‘in trial’.
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