KITT Hill in Sherborne is finally, totally, re-open!

One of my key pledges in 2019 was to spearhead the sweeping changes we needed to see in digital connectivity – getting better broadband and phone signal. For the latter, the Government launched the Shared Rural Network (SRN) to overhaul the mobile phone network in West Dorset, bringing total coverage for at least one provider to 99% and from all four main providers to 90%. I met the Government and the providers rolling out the SRN to ensure the focus was properly directed at the areas in West Dorset needing it the most.

The Government is also supporting Gigabit and full fibre broadband with community fibre partnerships and voucher schemes through Project Gigabit. As part of this, I am in regular contact with providers and customers, and with the Government, to support schemes in West Dorset. I was very pleased to see from Jurassic Fibre that the latest number of premises in the Sherborne area alone now connected to full fibre stands at about 2,200. This is making great progress but, as ever, if you are struggling with your provider to get the broadband service you need, please feel free to get in touch directly with me.

One of the very topical and subjective debates we are having locally concerns St John’s Almshouse next to the Abbey. An institution established in 1437 to help the poorest of local people with a home. I first became aware of this situation from family members of residents some months ago and within a week I went to meet the Board of Trustees, otherwise known as the ‘Brethren’. The Almshouse has been losing money for several years – clearly something that is not sustainable. But the real frustration and concern of local people – particularly those who have lived in or around Sherborne for a long time, has been the lack of a direction forward and having an idea of the future given that there have been significant redundancies and number of residents leaving.

Charitable status means the trust is self-governing and is not accountable to government or Parliament as such, although the Charities Commission has an important role to play. If you have questions or strong feelings about this, can I encourage you to share those with the trustees and copy to me by email at hello@chrisloder.co.uk We cannot lose this institution from Sherborne. It is a shame the issue was not addressed earlier given the situation now, but I would like to reassure you I shall be looking to scrutinise fully the decisions of the trustees concerning the future of this institution and can I ask that if you have expertise in this field, that you get in touch.

I’m meeting the managing director of South Western Railway again on Friday to find out about the latest disaster to affect the railway because the wrong type of fuel has been put in all the engines! We can expect longer journey times for at least two to three weeks, along with changes at both Salisbury and Basingstoke. Until it’s fixed, I recommend going from Castle Cary or Dorchester to get to London.