West Norfolk village’s signal to be boosted after new installation at church

A village church has become the first in its diocese to have a broadband transmitter installed, which hopes to deliver improved connectivity to the community.

It has taken two years to get to this point, having applied to the Church of England’s head office, but this week a new antenna has been installed on the tower of St Mary’s Church in Denver.

This means St Mary’s is the first church in the Diocese of Ely which has such a facility, according to church rector, Rev Judith Grundy.

David Newman, a member of the congregation, has been working on the project with support from Rev Grundy and the archdeacon, The Venerable Hugh McCurdy, for about two years.

David said: “The community of Denver will benefit from this facility, as the broadband signal is intermittent, good, poor, or just not available. However there are residents of Denver who do not suffer any problems.”

Not only will the addition prove beneficial for the community, but it will also be a positive for the church, which is a grade II* listed building, parts of which date back to the 13th century.

“The church will benefit from being forward-thinking and community-minded by offering this opportunity to the local community to obtain an improved broadband service,” David said.

It is also hoped the new transmitter will assist those who have a poor signal at home with their work.

“Hopefully having wifi available within the church will encourage young people into our church with their laptops and tablets etc, perhaps even to assist them when the need for a good signal helps them with homework, which may not be available at home,” David added.

The installation falls in the same week that Rev Grundy retires after 15 years as rector for Denver.

David said: “The installation of the antenna will, in part, be a small recognition of the ministry that Judith has provided to the local community of Denver and beyond.”