Major broadband upgrade for New Forest to benefit thousands

THOUSANDS of homes and businesses across the New Forest and surrounding areas will benefit from high-speed full fibre broadband after a government contract worth nearly £14 million was awarded to Wessex Internet.

The three-year contract is part of the UK government’s £5 billion Project Gigabit, which aims to provide lightning-fast gigabit-capable broadband to hard-to-reach communities across the UK.

Wessex Internet’s fibre optic network will be rolled out to communities around the New Forest including Brockenhurst, Burley, Beaulieu, Godshill, Hordle and Sway, transforming broadband speeds and reliability for approximately 10,500 local residents and businesses.

Wessex Internet will work closely with Forestry England and the Verderers of the New Forest throughout the three-year programme of work and expects to start network construction in the first communities by the end of this year.

The first properties could be connected to lightning-fast broadband as early as February 2024.

Digital infrastructure minister, Julia Lopez said: “Thanks to this latest multimillion pound contract for the New Forest, thousands of hard-to-reach homes and businesses in this stunning area will benefit from a state-of-theart network ready to provide the speed and reliability we will all need in the decades ahead.

“The Prime Minister has put growing the economy as one of his five top priorities, and this investment will go far in delivering on that mission here in the New Forest by equipping rural areas with the infrastructure they need for the digital age.”

Hector Gibson Fleming, CEO at Wessex Internet, said: “This is great news for homes and businesses in the New Forest who will be able to access world-class connectivity and the many economic and social benefits it provides.

“We will now work closely with the residents and communities across this beautiful national park to deliver this exciting programme.

“We’re delighted to be awarded our second contract under Project Gigabit. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and their strong track record of rolling out gigabit-capable connectivity to even the hardest to reach countryside communities.”

Project Gigabit is the UK government’s flagship £5 billion programme designed to enable hard-to-reach communities access to lightning-fast gigabitcapable broadband. With gigabit-capable broadband, households will no longer have to struggle with limited bandwidth, while businesses will be able to improve their productivity, and public services will become more accessible to people in remote areas.

Forestry England’s local spokesperson said: “We very much look forward to supporting Wessex Internet’s delivery of ultrafast full fibre broadband on sensitive land managed by Forestry England over the next few years and hope this will have a positive impact on many residents across the New Forest.”

Salisbury man jailed for rape and controlling behaviour

A SALISBURY man has been jailed for 12 years for multiple counts of rape and coercive and controlling behaviour.

Terry Newman, of Cherry Orchard Lane, was arrested after police were called to an unrelated incident in 2020.

During the incident, the victim disclosed historic sexual assaults and controlling and coercive behaviour by 52-yearold Newman.

The allegations include one occasion when Newman raped a woman while forcing her head down into a pillow.

On another, Newman assaulted the victim and controlled where she could and could not go, as well as controlling her finances.

Det Con Ryan Churchley, of Wiltshire Police, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victim for the bravery she has shown in contacting police in relation to her ordeal.

“Not only that, but I’d like to commend her for the bravery she showed in the court room during the trial. After Newman pleaded not guilty, his victim was forced to relive her ordeal in a court room while being cross examined.

“I hope this sentence will provide her with some closure, however, I understand that no sentence will ever compensate for what he did to her. Newman would often consume alcohol before being violent and manipulative – nobody should ever experience what this woman has been through.

“I hope this case encourages anyone else in a similar position to come forward and report it to us. You will be fully supported by our officers and we will also be able to direct you to support agencies who can provide further, long-term support.”

To report any sexual offence, no matter how much time has passed, contact Wiltshire Police on 101.

Salisbury homeowner enjoys independence and security of over 55s community

A Salisbury homeowner loves the freedom and security she experiences within an over 55s independent-living community.

Gwen Brocksom moved to Platinum Skies’ Chapters community, based off Wilton Road, following the death of her husband after 67 years of marriage. Gwen couldn’t face returning to the home that she shared with her husband, so she looked for an alternative option. She wanted to keep the freedom of living in her own home with sociable neighbours and onsite activities.

Gwen said: “My husband and I downsized from a three-storey Victorian house to a modern house to make it easier for me after he had a stroke, and we lived there for 10 years before I came here after he died. It was just too big, and I rattled around in it.”

Chapters has two dedicated Community Managers who organise fun activities. These can include wine-tasting workshops, yoga, coffee mornings, quizzes, and crafts, as well as the Community Managers providing practical and emotional support to the homeowners. Chapters boasts a range of exclusive onsite facilities including a bistro, bar, homeowners’ lounge, treatment room, and activity room.

Gwen added: “We have a super community at Chapters. I have a single-bedroom apartment and it was surprising to find all my needs met in one place, and to know I could cope with it by myself. I’ve got a key and my own front door, and I’ve kept my independence. I know that I can go downstairs, where I am sure to see somebody to talk to, as I’m a bit of a chatterbox. I’m not isolated here.

“Another benefit is that when you’re getting ready for bed here, you know that you are safe. Whereas in that other house, I wouldn’t have felt safe at night because anybody could have walked along the road and through the gate, but here you don’t have that feeling and instead you feel safe.

“I can also ask the Community Manager for assistance with something, and I know somebody will come and help as soon as possible. That’s worth having as it means that I don’t have to worry my family.”

The Salisbury-based Chapters community comprises of a choice of apartments, houses and cottages which start from £135,000 with the Platinum Skies flexible shared ownership option.

To book an appointment to view a home in Chapters, go to Platinumskies.co.uk or call the Platinum Skies team on 01722 626 373.