Jurassic Fibre saves the day for historic Exmouth Christmas tree

Award-winning Devon-based broadband company, Jurassic Fibre, has saved the day by stepping in to help light up Exmouth’s historic community tree, just in time for Christmas.

Exmouth’s community tree is at Exmouth’s Magnolia Centre in the pedestrian walkway, a popular shopping hotspot for tourists and locals alike. The tree is a traditional Norwegian spruce, measuring at over 40 ft tall, and has an 80-year history in the Magnolia Centre.

Grown at a plantation in Hemyock, and gifted to the town by King’s Garden Centre in Exmouth, the spruce has become a beloved landmark and permanent fixture in the coastal town. The Christmas lights are put up every year, in time for the festive period.

Ultra-fast broadband firm Jurassic Fibre stepped in at short notice to support Exmouth Rotary Club in placing the Christmas lights on the historic tree, after the club was let down by a previous contractor. Electricity to power the tree’s display was gifted by the Vodafone shop, in the Magnolia Centre

Two Service Delivery Engineers from the internet service provider, Tom Rigby and Lewis England, volunteered their time early on Monday morning (November 21) to install the tree’s hundreds of Christmas lights. They used two Jurassic Fibre vehicles and a hydraulic lift, to help them reach the top of the 40ft spruce.

Annabel McCabe Events and Sponsorship Manager, from Jurassic Fibre, said: “We were delighted to be able to support Exmouth Rotary Club and the people of Exmouth this year by helping put up the Christmas lights on the historic tree in the Magnolia Centre.

“As a local broadband company, we know how tough this last year has been for our communities, with the rising cost of living and economic challenges. We want to spread joy and help people, which is why we are committed to tackling digital deprivation and supporting people by providing affordable, ultra-fast, reliable broadband to keep communities connected, and are investing in our people and communities. We hope the people of Exmouth enjoy the festive tree lights this Christmas.”

Colin Rowland, member of Exmouth Rotary Club, said: “Due to issues with our previous contractor, we were concerned that we wouldn't be able to light up the tree for Christmas, as this requires specialist equipment to reach the top. This tree has a long-standing history in Exmouth, and has become a well-loved and popular feature of the town.

“We are so grateful for Jurassic Fibre, who stepped in during our time of need and provided us with their engineers and equipment to place the lights on the tree. Their engineers were very professional and efficient, and were in good spirits despite the bad weather on the day. Everyone from the local shops came out to see the lights going up, which was so nice to see.

“The past few years have been really tough for local people, so I know that now, more than ever, it was so important for the tree to be lit up for Christmas, to bring happiness and Christmas cheer to our community.”

As one of the fastest-growing alt nets in the country, Jurassic Fibre has already established a strong presence in Exmouth and the surrounding areas, having gone live in the town with a new ultra-fast network in June 2020. They have since connected over 12k premises in Exmouth, and recently celebrated surpassing 100,000 premises in the South West. The milestone is part of their pledge to deliver its full fibre-to-the-premises broadband to 500,000 homes and businesses across the region.

Having already connected homes and businesses in 30 towns and villages in Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and Dorset, including Bude, Exmouth, Sidmouth, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Teignmouth, Honiton and Crediton, the company is backed with £250m capital investment from Fern Trading, as advised by Octopus Investments.

For more information about Jurassic Fibre and to find out more about their rollout, please visit: https://jurassic-fibre.com