Soapbox Racing Online Thanks to Onlincolnshire

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News release

18th September 2012

Superfast soapbox cart racers wowed the crowds while a dedicated digital team kept people up to date with the action at the annual Belchford Downhill Challenge on Sunday (16th September).

Thousands of people who turned out for the soapbox derby, which saw 50 teams battle it out down a long stretch of hill in the village, were given a taste of how the latest online technology could work for them thanks to the Lincolnshire County Council onlincolnshire team.

A specially equipped multimedia marquee was set up in Belchford to carry out live blogging, send tweets and play back 2D and 3D video footage of the action.

Almost 30,000 Twitter users saw tweets about the event, with hundreds more joining in the discussion. YouTube users were also able to witness a driver-view of the 40mph speeds reached on the way down the hill after the team mounted cameras to the carts. People visiting the tent could also take advantage of iPads to stay on top of the action as it unfolded.

The marquee was also equipped with interactive leaderboards showing times and speeds reached for all teams.

“The Belchford Downhill Challenge was a fantastic opportunity to showcase exactly what people could be missing out on by not having fast and reliable access to the Internet,” said Angela Driver, Principal Development Officer at onlincolnshire.

“We wanted to use the latest digital and online technology to show how an event could be transformed. We’re very pleased with how many people wanted to find out more about the onlincolnshire project and what technologies we were using. The hope is that people who came to see us will understand the benefits of superfast broadband and support our campaign to improve the service across Lincolnshire.”

The project was part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund as part of the £57 million council-led onlincolnshire project which aims to provide broadband speeds of at least 24Mbps for 90% of homes and businesses in the county, and a guaranteed 2Mpbs for the remaining premises by 2015.

Spectator Joanne Carver, 32, from Horncastle, visited the show with husband Mark, 34, and four-year-old son Harry.  “My son wanted to see things from the drivers’ perspective and we heard about the media tent so went to have a look,” said Joanne. “It made it more thrilling to see the footage from the cameras and it was interesting to hear more about the broadband campaign in general.”

Staff from onlincolnshire were on hand to collect signatures in support of superfast broadband in Lincolnshire. If you would like to lend your support to the campaign visit www.onlincolnshire.org

Notes to Editors:

  • onlincolnshire is a £57 million Lincolnshire County Council project which aims to provide broadband speeds of at least 24Mbps for 90% of homes and businesses in the county, and a guaranteed 2Mpbs for the remaining premises by 2015.
  • Some Internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 7.6 Mbps, according to Ofcom.
  • The digital activity at the Belchford Downhill Challenge has been part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013 and is part of the £57 million council-led onlincolnshire project which aims to provide broadband speeds of at least 24 Megabits per second (Mbps) for 90% of homes and businesses in the county, and a guaranteed 2Mpbs for the remaining premises by 2015.
  • The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf

Superfast broadband - the benefits for residents

  • Download films, music and e-books and upload videos and photos
  • Consistent, reliable service regardless of how many people are online
  • Connect with family, friends or colleagues in high-definition video
  • Access TV and films on demand
  • Discover how interactive learning can open new doors
  • Work effectively from home
  • Consider setting up your own business from home

Superfast broadband - the benefits for business

  • New business opportunities thanks to faster upload and download speeds
  • Work smarter using cloud computing
  • Access your data from anywhere with a broadband connection
  • Revolutionise your communication with customers and colleagues
  • Save money on your telephony bills
  • Use Skype or Face Time to communicate using video
  • Hold meetings using teleconference or videoconference
  • Share information and work in real time from anyone, with anyone, anywhere
  • Make the most of online social media
  • Keep your e-commerce and other websites up to date with the latest content
  • Access your data remotely – at home or when you’re out of the office

Jez Ashberry
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
jez@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @jezashberry

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Quick facts

Fifty soapbox carts competed in the annual Belchford Downhill Challenge near Horncastle, Lincolnshire on Sunday
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The event was given a digital dimension by onlincolnshire, Lincolnshire County Council's campaign for better broadband in the county
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Quotes

The Belchford Downhill Challenge was a fantastic opportunity to showcase exactly what people could be missing out on by not having fast and reliable access to the Internet
Angela Driver, Principal Development Officer at onlincolnshire