David and Emma Dallimore, who live in the village steeped in history and dating back to the 13th century (Image: EE)
Rich in heritage and tracing its origins to the 13th century, the picturesque village is the birthplace of the bishop who translated the Bible into Welsh. Similar to many of its nearby towns and villages, its population expanded significantly during the slate quarrying era, which eventually ceased in the 1960s.
Located in Conwy in north Wales, the village of Penmachno with its thriving farming community is encircled by stunning countryside yet remains relatively remote — but as to mobile phone coverage it was genuinely “cut-off”.
The settlement of around 600 people was among the “forgotten” four per cent across the UK lacking a dependable mobile signal from any provider. Residents were forced to venture to neighbouring villages to make calls, faced difficulties arranging home deliveries of groceries and medicines and experienced limited access to secure online banking and other digital platforms.
One holiday cottage owner revealed this resulted in some “negative reviews” owing to the absent mobile service. However, that situation has now been transformed, reports WalesOnline.
The upland village of Penmachno in Conwy county (Image: Allatseanow/CC BY-SA 4.0)
EE, working alongside Bro Machno Community Council, has carefully installed a new mobile mast at the forest’s edge on the slopes of the Machno Valley, delivering swift and dependable 4G connectivity to the village, alongside crucial signal for the emergency services as part of the Home Office’s Emergency Services Network.
“We’ve always been 100% behind the mast and that has helped our journey to where we are today, with a mast in the forest and signal for everybody,” said Daniel Tomos, clerk of Bro Machno community council.
Its location in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park means Penmachno draws numerous tourists, including walkers and mountain bikers. Local residents David and Emma Dallimore, who frequently use Penmachno’s mountain bike trails, believe the enhanced safety provided by dependable mobile coverage will entice more visitors to the region.
Penmachno’s location in the heart of Snowdonia means it draws numerous tourists (Image: Steve Bateman via Getty Images)
They said: “Safety was quite a concern for people coming into the area because there was no mobile reception. If people were injured, particularly if they were out riding on their own, there was no way of getting hold of anyone to help. The fact it is now safer is a very good thing for all of us.”
They are also thrilled about how the fresh mobile connectivity will allow them to utilise more environmentally-friendly technology, including a smart meter and EV charging point.
“There are people that we know in the village that have got mobile reception for the very first time and are chuffed to bits. It’s important for mobile operators to come to places like this and offer what the rest of the country has, as it enables us to contribute and live and work in the way people in more urban areas can.”
Paul Huckstep co-owns Benar Cottages, a local holiday rental enterprise providing lavish accommodation in 16th century properties with stunning valley views. The enhanced mobile coverage is delivering significant benefits for his clientele, many of whom visit to discover Penmachno’s woodland and riverside trails alongside its breathtaking natural landscape.
He explained: “Now that we’ve got the mobile mast it will make running our business easier. In the past we have had guests leave us negative reviews because of the lack of mobile phone service but now all that has gone away. Guests can arrive, open their phones when they get here, find out where they are staying on-site, and keep in contact with everyone they need to.”
‘Safety was quite a concern for people coming into the area because there was no mobile reception’ (Image: Alex Manders via Getty Images)
The fresh mast in Penmachno forms part of EE’s continuing efforts to bridge the UK’s digital gap, enabling rural areas to flourish in today’s world and draw future generations to reside and work in countryside locations.
Owen Davis, a father of four who has called Penmachno home for over 25 years, said: “Having a mobile network here in the village is making an immediate difference to everyone who lives here, helping them feel that they have the same opportunities as other places. When I think of my family and particularly my younger children, it’s reassuring to be able to track them using tools like Find my iPhone and just know where they are, as we don’t want to restrict them when we live in such a lovely area.”
Daniel Tomos, clerk of Bro Machno community council (Image: EE)
Owen also serves as a coordinator for Penmachno’s fresh community hub – the village’s former memorial hall which has been transformed into a dynamic and contemporary community centre hosting events, fitness sessions, and educational workshops for residents of all ages.
He reckons the enhanced connectivity will also bolster the local economy whilst drawing the close-knit community even tighter together.
He explained: “One of the opportunities we’re exploring with the community hub is starting a monthly local producer’s market, for people to sell their eggs and fresh vegetables. The opportunity to be able to use the mobile signal to take online card payments will be a benefit to us.”
Paul Huckstep is co-owner of Benar Cottages, a local holiday-let business offering luxurious stays in 16th century cottages overlooking the surrounding valley (Image: EE)
Analysis from experts at Farrpoint investigating the influence of mobile connectivity in Trawsfynydd, located a 30-minute drive from Penmachno, reveals that 4G coverage from a single EE mast can generate up to £383,000 in economic benefits to rural Welsh communities throughout its operational lifespan.
EE’s investment has enabled it to broaden and enhance its network across more than 1,800 rural sites throughout the UK over the past five years, including some of the most isolated and challenging-to-reach communities – pushing its mobile coverage in Wales to unprecedented heights, with dependable signal now reaching more than 90% of the nation’s landmass. Greg McCall, chief security and networks officer at BT Group, said: “As part of our work to connect the unconnected, we’re going further and faster than anyone else to ensure every rural community in the UK has the reliable connectivity they need.
“There is more to do to completely eradicate the UK’s digital divide but our collaboration with the local residents of Penmachno is a shining example of what can be achieved when mobile operators and communities work together to tackle the issue head on.”