Surveys
2003 Survey of Community
31 questionnaires issued at a public meeting – 21 people responded (68%)
All wish the society to proceed; 10 saying they will help with events; 5 saying they will take part in the Steering Group
Areas of Interest
- More than 60% of votes went for: History of buildings; traditional crafts and skills; countryside habitats; tracing and recording place names; street and field names.
- Remainder: Local traditions; Archaeology; Oral records; photography; Genealogy; Setting up website
- New Areas Suggested: Open garden days; arranged walks; Maypole dancing; Hop pickers/fruit pickers event (Dance?); Harvest events; Events like Blossom Day; Event celebrating traditional rites; transport-industry
Annual Membership Fees
68% were happy with £5-10; 39% were happy with £10-15; 19% were happy with £15-20; 10% were happy with £20-25.
Discounts for events: Everyone thought discounts should be considered. Generally, the higher the annual fee agreed, the bigger the discounts were suggested for events (including "free events" if annual fee was £20-25).
Charges for events: 43% said £5; Only one vote for £7.50; three votes for a lower charge; some said "depends of the event"; 38% didn't comment.
Frequency of Steering Group Meetings
Fairly evenly spread between monthly - two monthly – quarterly. Suggestions made that meetings between 4-6 weeks while trying to build up awareness, new blood into organisation, and membership of the Society. Perhaps going to every two months after a while.
Timing of Society meetings: Monday or Wednesday strongly favoured. Saturday/Sunday strongly to be avoided. 8 o'clock start time strongly favoured (some are happy with 7.30).
Timing of events would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis – but evening events should be on Monday or Wednesday.
2005 Survey of Members
42 review forms issued - 27 were returned (64% response rate)
- this reflected the views of 56% of our actual membership -
| Question 1: Member interests | ||
| I am interested in | Number of responses | % of response |
| Attending events | 25 | 96% |
| Leading an event | 2 | 8% |
| Helping with research | 12 | 44% |
| Assisting with arrangements | 1 | 4% |
| Joining the Committee | 3 | 12% |
- There were some volunteers to lead and support research projects.
- Several volunteers identified themselves as willing to assist in event arrangements.
- There were additional members willing to join the Management Committee.
| Question 2: Areas of interest | ||
Topics |
Number of responses |
% of response |
| Countryside habitats | 15 | 58% |
| Photographic records | 7 | 27% |
| Oral history | 9 | 33% |
| Traditional skills and crafts | 12 | 46% |
| Recording place names | 6 | 23% |
| History of buildings | 16 | 62% |
| Archaeology | 10 | 38% |
| Local tradition etc | 8 | 31% |
| Genealogy | 5 | 19% |
| Street and field names | 15 | 58% |
Member Suggestions:-
- Historic walking tours of the Parish.
- Talk by Ray Harrison on ancient agricultural buildings.
- Footpaths (rights of way) their origins and why. Also their decline as paths other than for leisure purposes.
- A local footpath walk.
- Roman history of the area (and any other invaders).
- Overview of the evolution of the Kent Countryside (e.g. through the eyes of "History of the Countryside" by Oliver Rackham).
- Broader issues such as climate change, DEFRA, the environment, CPRE, Kent Development Planning etc.
| Question 3: Annual membership fee | ||
Right Level |
25 |
96% |
| Not Right Level | 2 | 7% |
Responses where it was felt that the membership fee was not at the correct level noted:
- that the fee should be higher with free entry to events for members, or
- changed so that the fees meet the running costs.
| Question 4: Should there be a discount policy | ||
Yes |
13 |
48% |
| No | 12 | 46% |
| No Response | 2 | 8% |
Of those who said there should be a discount policy:-
- 9 said for retired people
- 10 said for under 16s
- 10 said for family membership
- 1 said for unemployed students
- 1 suggested Honorary membership
- 1 suggested membership to all children at Lynsted and Norton School
| Question 5: Charging for events | ||
|
Number of Responses |
% of Responses |
| Right Level | 24 | 92% |
| Not Right Level | 1 | 4% |
| No Response | 1 | 4% |
| Question 6: Frequency of events | ||
|
Number of Responses |
% of Responses |
| Monthly | 1 | 4% |
| Six Weekly | 13 | 50% |
| Two monthly | 11 | 42% |
| Quarterly | 2 | 8% |
| No Response | ||
- Several people voted for more than one option
| Question 7: Best days for events | ||||||
|
Evening Events |
% of Events |
Daytime Events | |||
| a.m. | % | p.m. | % | |||
| Monday | 6 | 23% | 3 | 12% | 5 | 19% |
| Tuesday | 10 | 38% | 5 | 19% | 5 | 19% |
| Wednesday | 15 | 58% | 6 | 23% | 6 | 23% |
| Thursday | 14 | 54% | 7 | 27% | 9 | 35% |
| Friday | 9 | 35% | 5 | 19% | 10 | 38% |
| Saturday | 6 | 23% | 9 | 35% | 12 | 46% |
| Sunday | 5 | 19% | 8 | 31% | 9 | 35% |
| Question 8: Preferred start times | ||
|
Number of Responses |
% of Responses |
| 7.00 p.m. | 4 | 15% |
| 7.30 p.m. | 9 | 35% |
| 8.00 p.m. | 10 | 38% |
| 8.30 p.m. | 0 | 0% |
- One suggestion of 7pm start in winter and 7.30 in summer.
| Question 9: Preferred venue | ||
|
Number of Responses |
% of Responses |
| Lynsted Church Community Room | 20 | 77% |
| Belle Friday Centre | 4 | 15% |
| Norton Village Hall | 11 | 42% |
- One member suggested the Village School as an alternative.
[2007 Note: Greenstreet Methodist Hall has established itself as an accessible and popular venue for Society meetings and talks]
Question 9: Members comments
I think there are many interesting events that we have not attended purely because of lack of time. You are doing a grand job so please continue as you are. I'm afraid I cannot think of anything you are not doing already.
Thank you for all your hard work. John and I now feel that we are included in the Lynsted Community. How about an event to celebrate the harvest in the autumn?
Linkages to other organisation/societies in the area with similar interests.
Sorry that we have not attended many functions but we have been away or otherwise engaged.