Hexham is a nice day out. When we go there we always make our way to our favourite cafe at the Abbey, not for religious reasons but rather to worship their cheese scones. Sometimes it’s full and we have to go elsewhere. It’s a nice walk from the cafe through the park and back into town and , if you are ever there, I would highly recommend it.
The last time we were there we were drinking our coffees when another couple sat down at a table next to us. There was nothing unusual in that yet after a while I noticed that they had a bag with a familiar logo. Having worked for many years leading the Digital Durham programme I realised that that was what it was. A programme and a logo that I had been deeply involved in for a good chunk of my life but we’re talking at least seven years ago since I left it behind.
When we finally got up to go and being a shy and retiring type, I couldn’t help myself and leant over to engage the couple in conversation. Starting with ‘I’m sorry to bother you’, I found out that it was indeed a Digital Durham bag and that they had picked it up at a technical conference somewhere in the county a few years ago.
I explained who I was and what my role had been, not in too much detail though. They seemed genuinely interested and were effusive in their praise for what the programme had done for broadband in Durham and beyond.
Digital Durham was a huge team effort. I guess it still is as I catch the odd social media post from them from time to time. It gave me a warm feeling, however, to know that our vision and efforts had made a difference, at least to one couple but hopefully many more.
I don’t know what the score is now but at the time Durham had the highest number of ‘superfast’ broadband connections in the country (and yes, that includes London). Those were trying yet successful and happy days. A chance encounter with a bag took me right back.
Thoughts from a Guerrilla Worker 