One of the finest things about the publication of the monthly Ongar News is that it is available both as a hard copy and online.
In recent years, local journalism has dwindled, with local papers now being expensive, thin on local news, and produced regionally with little engagement with our communities in my Brentwood and Ongar constituency.
By contrast, the Ongar News is filled with local news, information and advice and my thanks and admiration go to Karen Bush who does such a fine job in bringing it together for us all.
Having a hard copy available for all those who need it is very helpful, given the trouble many of you have told me you are having in accessing resilient and fast broadband speeds in Ongar, High Ongar, Moreton and the villages so you can read emails and online publications easily. I have recently written to all those who took part in my survey on broadband speeds in High Ongar to share the responses I received from the broadband providers and mobile phone companies, and am meeting with Openreach soon to emphasise the need for Fibre To The Premises (FTTP) to be installed in more rural locations.
My article about the High Ongar survey in the Ongar News sparked interest from people living in Moreton, who also suffer from slow broadband and poor mobile phone signals. I am very aware that few people in the village were in favour of the proposed 5G mast but that need be no bar on there being far better and faster broadband. Me and my team are in touch with people in the village and will report back next year.
For now, I realise this is the last Ongar News before Christmas, so my very best wishes to you all for the festive season.
