Of the 42 review forms issued, 27 were returned (64% response rate), reflecting the views of 56% of our actual membership number. Compare the Survey of 2003.
Question 1: I am interested in:
Number
% 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
Number
% of response
Countryside habitats
15
58%
Photographic records
7
27%
Oral history
9
33%
Trad 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 (details passed to Norma)
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 (eg 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
Number
% of response
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?
Number
% of response
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 membship to all children at Lynsted and Norton School
Question 5: Charging for events
Number
% of response
Right level
24
92%
Not right level
1
4%
No response
1
4%
Question 6: Frequency of events
Number*
% of response
Monthly
1
4%
Six weekly
13
50%
Two monthly
11
42%
Quarterly
2
8%
No response
2
8%
Several people voted for more than one option
Question 7: Best days for events
Evening events
% of response
Daytime events
am
%
pm
%
Monday
6
23%
3
12%
5
19%
Tuesday
10
38%
5
19%
5
19%
Wed
15
58%
6
23%
6
23%
Thurs
14
54%
7
27%
9
35%
Friday
9
35%
5
19%
10
38%
Sat
6
23%
9
35%
12
46%
Sunday
5
19%
8
31%
9
35%
Question 8: Preferred start time:
Number
% of response
7.00pm
4
15%
7.30pm
9
35%
8.00pm
10
38%
8.30pm
0
0%
One suggestion of 7pm start in winter and 7.30 in summer
Question 9: Preferred venue
Number
% of response
Community room
20
77%
Belle Friday
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.
