Free Public WiFi Reaches 36 Village Halls in Cambridgeshire UK

The Connecting Cambridgeshire programme has announced that some 36 villages halls in rural parts of the county can now access their free public WiFi service, which is thanks to a new UK Government grant that was setup to support health and well-being.

The grant funding covers installation of a broadband connection to supply the service and any associated wireless access points (AP), which in turn provides for a “secure and filtered” WiFi connection to the internet, via the existing free CambWifi network. The new network is also being used to support participation in Parish Council meetings via Zoom, playgroups and childcare activities, virtual nights and more.

The latest deployment follows a similar rollout to several market towns in Huntingdonshire. On top of that CambWifi is now providing free public access WiFi to over 150 public buildings and open spaces across the county.

Councillor Steve Count said:

“Digital connectivity is vital to support healthy, thriving communities, and village halls play an important role in keeping everyone connected, helping to combat loneliness and supporting the local economy.”

I am delighted that the Connecting Cambridgeshire has been able to make good use of the limited grant funding available to cover the installation and running costs for public access Wifi for so many village halls in rural areas where connectivity can be challenging.”

Village halls with free CambWifi include:

Alconbury Memorial Hall, Aldreth Community Association, Arrington Assembly Rooms and Institute, Balsham Village Hall (Church Institute), Brinkley Memorial Hall, Benwick Village Hall, Burrough Green Reading Room, Bythorn Village Hall, Catworth Village Hall, Cheveley Community Room, Chippenham Village Hall, Christchurch Community Centre, Doddington Village Hall, Highgate Hall – Elton, Great Staughton Village Hall, Great Stukeley Village Hall, Helpston & Etton Community Association,Ickleton Village Hall, Landbeach Village Hall, Little Thetford Village Hall, Littleport Village Hall, Prickwillow Village Hall, Maxey Community Association, Meldreth Village Hall, Newton Village Hall, Old Weston Village Hall, Quy Village Hall, Shepreth Village Hall, Stilton Pavilion, Tydd St Giles Community Centre, West Wickham Village Hall, Whaddon Village Hall, Coates Public Hall in Whittlesey, Woodhurst Village Hall, Wicken (Mission) Village Hall, and Yelling Village Hall.