Presingoll Farm
Mark Williams runs Presingoll Farm near Redruth with his family as well as working for the Learning and Skills Council as Head of Policy.
His dual role means he constantly has to keep several balls in the air and he has found broadband a godsend in helping him stay ahead.
The farming consideration extends to 245 acres. Much of the farm is rented out to various activities such as vegetable production, horses and even a football training pitch. Mark says "We also have a few cattle at present and we are looking at how we can develop the business by diversifying further."
"Broadband has been excellent" says Mark, who is connected to broadband through wireless technology. "I signed up to broadband mainly because I hoped it would help me access the Internet faster - and I can."
Mark needs to have access to various kinds of information on a daily basis. "I find being able to upload and download cattle movement records online especially useful. With a standard modem, I used to be here all day - now I can find what I need in seconds."
"I also find broadband useful when I need to access the Rural Payment Agency or check out all the legislation and current policy surrounding livestock movement and tracking. Because broadband is on all the time and I don’t need to dial up, it is so simple to just go to the Internet now and find out what I need almost instantaneously."
"Speed is the biggest advantage of broadband to me. I have such busy days that I don’t want to waste time on the computer. Now, I can catch up with everything online - from my email to my diary and current farming debate - over a cup of tea at breakfast and it is easy and simple to fit in with everything else that’s going on. Before I had broadband, downloading documents was like pulling teeth."
In addition to the time savings he makes with broadband, Mark values the cost benefits. "With broadband I am able to use the telephone and Internet simultaneously over the same line. There is quite a considerable cost saving."
"I am a complete convert to broadband and the Internet. In the future, I may now consider setting up a next generation website."
