The village of Shepley has become the unlikely focus for an exciting new digital project.
The semi-rural community is to take part in a case study looking into the opportunities and benefits of the EU’s digital single market for local businesses, community groups and residents.
Called ‘DigiChampz’, the initiative aims to develop a plan for so-called ‘Smart Villages’ that can be applied across the European Union.
Smart Villages would be digitally connected and innovative at doing business and local community work online.
And one of the first priorities is improving the village’s sluggish broadband connection.
Will Roebuck, Shepley resident and boss of E RADAR – a chamber of commerce for online firms, is one of the key players behind the project.
Will said he was attending an internet conference in London in a bid to network for help.
And he said hoped to get funding from well known companies, such as Google or Microsoft.
“We need to sort the internet out in this area,” he said.
“It’s been going on too long and everyone’s getting a bit annoyed about it.
“Kirklees Council are not doing anything and it doesn’t look like they’re going to.
“It’s a big issue for Shepley, Denby Dale and even Penistone.
“So we’re looking at the business case for doing it ourselves, to get broadband off the ground.”
Along with traditional underground cables, Will is investigating a range of solutions including satellite broadband and 4G mobile broadband.
And he hopes once a decent connection is up and running the DigiChampz project can help village traders set up digital hubs to offer their goods online.
“It’s in the interest of Microsoft and Google to help us,” he said.
“Inevitably once people get online they will use their sites and see their ads.
“I’m really keen to get the village economies online.
“I’m looking at digital hubs, which will help the declining fortunes on our high streets.”
The EU backed DigiChampz project was announced locally at Shepley First School during a parents evening on family internet safety.
It is hoped eventually to connect officials in Brussels and London directly with local people to see the impact of policies on children, young adults, women, farmers, health professionals and those delivering citizen-based services.
Dr John Riley, from the Digital Policy Alliance, which is leading the initiative said: “The project aims to identify local have a go heroes – digital champions who can help local businesses and community groups get the most out of the Internet economy.
“We’re looking at the local rural economy as a case study to inform Brussels decision-makers on what’s going well, what’s not, and how we can plug the gaps.”
Meanwhile the children and staff at Shepley First School have been invited to visit the House of Lords by digital champion the Earl of Erroll, Chairman of the Digital Policy Alliance and President of E RADAR.
