A PRIMARY school has had its B4RN gigabit broadband officially ‘switched on’ by MP Tim Farron.

Local volunteers, who were vital to getting the site connected, were at Storth CE Primary School alongside B4RN - Broadband for the Rural North - staff.

The rain held off for the outdoor occasion on Friday, July 1. The school provided cake and hot drinks with pupils from class three treating everybody with their singing.

Then under the fanfare of bio-degradable confetti cannon, Mr. Farron pushed a B4RN plunger to officially switch on the school’s broadband.

Greg Tagney, who chairs the local B4RN volunteer group, addressed the children: “This is a free service for the community.

“None of this would be possible without our volunteers. We’ve dug many, many kilometres of trenches around the village and connected many villagers.”

Pupils from Class 3 treated those present to a song.

B4RN CEO Michael Lee said: “At B4RN we talk a lot about communities connected. Sometimes people think that just means to the internet. For me, it means a bit more than that. We’re talking about the people in those communities connecting with each other. 

"The B4RN network only exists because people have come together to work to make their community better. We’re thankful people give up their precious time to make this happen. Absolutely fantastic.”

South Lakes MP Tim Farron also spoke to pupils: “It’s a really important thing to celebrate because not everybody has this. Definitely not everybody has it the way you got it- provided by the community, a team effort.

"We appreciate it a bit more if we know that local people literally rolled their sleeves up and dug the trenches so that you can watch the telly, do teams, do research, and people who need healthcare can get it over the internet.”

The school – like all small primaries on the B4RN network – receives free symmetrical gigabit full-fibre broadband.

Friday’s celebration also marked the achievement of the local volunteer group in connecting three other Storth community assets: the old Village Hall; the village Church; and Heron Hall.