James Gibson Fleming, founder of Wessex Internet, has been awarded the honour of MBE for four decades of dedicated service to charity, community and business in the King's 2025 Birthday Honours List.
Wed, 3/01/2024 - 11:12
Chairman and founder of the Abthorpe Broadband Association, Eric Malcomson, has been awarded an MBE in the 2024 Kings honours.
He said he is humbled by the recognition of the community and the King for his part in delivering superfast and gigabit fibre broadband services to the Tove Valley businesses and residents.
The Abthorpe Broadband Association has been championing local broadband in the upper Tove Valley since 2003. In 2019, it embarked upon a grant-aided project to deliver FTTP to residents and businesses.
By the end of 2023, from over 700, the association has nearly 500 members connected directly to 1000Mbps capable symmetrical fibre-optic broadband.
These connections cover the villages of Abthorpe, Astwell, Bradden, Lois Weedon, Weston, Wappenham, Slapton and Woodend.
In 2024, it will connect the hamlet of Plumpton to fibre with volunteers managing this work, using local contractors where possible.
