Godolphin Cross hub now offers free ultrafast Wi-Fi to anyone

Walk into The Old Chapel for the Post Office, a playgroup or the monthly farmers’ market, and there is now something else on offer. Free ultrafast broadband, for everyone who comes through the door.

A village venue becomes a digital hub

The Old Chapel in Godolphin Cross has become Cornwall’s latest digital hub after free ultrafast broadband arrived from Wildanet.

The venue sits at the heart of community life in the West Cornwall village. It hosts a weekly Post Office, playgroups, community groups, the monthly farmers’ market and even a pop-up pub.

The new service runs at 500Mbps symmetrical. That means visitors can access fast, reliable connectivity throughout the venue, market traders can take card payments without the connection dropping, and local groups can make greater use of digital services and online resources.

Free for three years

Wildanet delivered the connection as part of its rollout under the UK Government’s Project Gigabit programme. It will be free of charge to the community association for an initial period of three years.

The installation was formally marked during the Godolphin Cross Community Farmers’ Market, where a commemorative plaque was presented to the Godolphin Cross Community Association.

Part of a wider rollout

The connection forms part of Wildanet’s wider Project Gigabit work in the area. That rollout has already reached around 1,400 homes and businesses across Godolphin Cross and surrounding communities, including Breage, Tresowes Green, Praa Sands, Lower Kenneggy, Perran Downs and Relubbus, giving them access to gigabit-capable full fibre broadband.

Simon Hughes, Wildanet Chief Commercial Officer, said the venue showed the role community spaces play in rural Cornwall. “The Old Chapel is a fantastic example of the important role community venues play in rural Cornwall. It’s a place where people come together, access local services, take part in activities and support one another and it is clear from the range of events and groups based here just how valued it is by local people.”

Simon added: “As Cornwall’s broadband company, we’re proud to support communities in this way and help ensure places like The Old Chapel continue to thrive as important local hubs.”

What it means for a small village

Joe Godwin, Chair of the Godolphin Cross Community Association, said the space welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds, from young families at playgroups to older residents at community lunches.

“For a small rural community like Godolphin Cross, having a well-connected, welcoming space like this matters enormously. Almost every aspect of life today depends on being able to get online, and not everyone has that at home.”

Joe said being able to offer free Wi-Fi to anyone who walks in is something the association is proud of.

The 15th venue on the list

Godolphin Cross is the 15th community venue to benefit from connectivity upgrades delivered by Wildanet through its full fibre network and Project Gigabit.

Previous installations include St Keverne Parish Hall, St Constantine Church near Falmouth, Wadebridge Sports Centre, Mullion Village Hall, Probus Village Hall, Liskerrett Community and Arts Centre in Liskeard and Callington Town Hall. More community sites are set to follow as the rollout continues.

📷Simon Hughes, Wildanet Chief Commercial Officer; Richard McKie, Treasurer, Godolphin Cross Community Association; Joe Godwin, Chair, Godolphin Cross Community Association, with Jago the whippet; and Anna Fradley, Wildanet Head of Customer Experience, at The Old Chapel, Godolphin Cross