Jethart Callant leads the way for Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband

It was full pageantry for Digital Scotland on Friday as Jethart Callant, Gary Hogg, helped with welcoming the arrival of fibre broadband in Jedburgh.

Gary – who recently led his Cavalcade through Jedburgh during the Jethart Callant’s Festival - joined Councillor Stuart Bell, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development, local elected members, BT Scotland director Brendan Dick and members ofthe Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband team to unveil one of the new street cabinets that will serve part of the town.

Each July a festival is held in Jedburgh and a young man from the town chosen to lead the festivities – the Callant. His task is to lead the cavalcade of horse riders on a series of rideouts around outlying villages, reminiscent of the ancient riding of the town’s boundaries to ensure the lands were safe from encroachment.

Gary said: “It was a pleasure to join members from Digital Scotland and Scottish Borders Council in celebrating the arrival of superfast fibre broadband in Jedburgh.

“I think it is wonderful news that fibre broadband is now available to a number of residents in the area. This will prove a vital necessity for people carrying out research such as looking into the area’s rich history, customs and traditions, which are a massive aspect of Border life and who we are and where we come from.”

Councillor Bell said: “We are continuing to see the superfast fibre broadband rollout spread throughout the Scottish Borders and I am delighted that so many residents and businesses in Jedburgh can now get connected.

“We know how important access to high-speed internet technology is for our communities, which is why Scottish Borders Council chose to invest £8.4 million into the programme’s rollout. Superfast fibre broadband will provide many opportunities for homes and businesses, but it is important that they now take the next step and find out for themselves what it can do for them and sign up to a superfast broadband service.

“Through the Council’s Corporate Transformation programme we are committed to improving digital connectivity across the Scottish Borders and also ensuring that local people and businesses have the skills and confidence to go online and make the most of digital services, including improved interaction with the Council.”

Residents were also able to attend a special drop-in event on Market Square – and outside the Co-operative Store - where the Digital Scotland team was on hand to get people up to speed with the technology and provide advice on areas such as signing up with a service provider.

ENDS