Social & Community

•     Introduction
•     Survey Questions
•     Main findings
•     Issues
•     Priorities
•     Action Plan

Introduction

This section of the plan explores the attributes of the village and whether residents consider it a desirable place to live. It is concerned with the opportunities available within the village for social activity and the advantage taken of the activities that are available.

The village has a number of features that are attractive to residents. Prominent among these are its location, setting, good facilities, a flourishing village school and a thriving community spirit as indicated by the number of clubs and societies and the support they receive.

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Survey Questions

The most relevant surveys to this part of the plan are the household survey, the survey issued to clubs and organisations, the discussions with pupils on Heathlands School Council and the survey distributed to young people through the secondary schools that they attended. All had questions relating to these areas of interest and the response was sufficient to have statistical significance.

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Main findings from the surveys

a. Clubs and Organisations

Over 50% of the respondents to the household survey attend at least one club regularly and in 13% of the households three or more clubs are supported. The most popular organisations are the Women’s’ Institute and History Club followed by the Workers Educational Association, Gardeners’ Association, Friendship Club, Flower Club and Friends of Hillhouse Wood, to mention but a few.

The responses to the survey of the clubs themselves (30% of the 47 contacted) shows there is a good variety although more daytime clubs were suggested. Overall sports provision is deemed to be good although tennis coaching could be provided and more use made of the courts. It was suggested that clubs could do more to encourage young people to join them and the young people themselves would like to see them better advertised. Clubs would welcome the establishment of a permanent well run Youth Club.

Of the 42 responses to the young peoples’ survey 52% do attend at least one club or activity, the most popular being cricket and football (mainly male activities).

b. Provision for Social and Recreational interests

In the household survey 87% of respondents felt these needs are catered for. Of the remainder most expressed the need for a Youth Club while a variety of other activities such as swimming, dancing and bridge are suggested.

42 young people responded (20 girls, 22 boys) to their survey and their main conclusion is that there are insufficient clubs and activities available to them. 76% rated the sports facilities as good to satisfactory but more use of the Multi Use Games Area is requested. There is great dissatisfaction about the lack of provision of a Youth Club (64%). 46% are unhappy that there are no safe formal meeting places within the village.

c. What is valued about West Bergholt

202 of the household respondents put the highest value on being close to the countryside, followed by being close to the town. The love of village life and transport links were the next most highly rated attributes of the village.

In the young people survey 85% rated West Bergholt as a very good to satisfactory place to live.

In the discussions with Heathlands’ School Council, pupils commented on the peaceful setting, the areas of open space, the community feel and being close to friends and relatives and the variety of places to walk and play.

For 23% of respondents the Primary School was a factor influencing their decision to move to the village but for 41% it was not an applicable question.

d. Sources of Information

196 of the household respondents cited the Bulletin as their prime source of village information. This was followed by the local paper, word of mouth, leaflets and notice boards.

In their survey 51% of young people were dissatisfied with the availability of advice on well-being.

e. Living in the Village

The most popular comments were access to the shops and facilities, a good bus service and a pleasant, safe and sociable village environment with a sense of community. “The character of the village should be preserved”.

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Issues emerging from the surveys

a. Household Survey

1. The provision of a Youth Club and a meeting place for young people.
2. A further increase in the range of clubs including some that meets in the daytime.
3. Improvements in raising awareness of the facilities, clubs and groups that exist in the village including the village website and notice boards.
4. The conservation of the existing character of the village.

b. Survey of Clubs and Organisations

1. More daytime clubs, e.g. a daytime WI or Flower Club.
2. More use of the tennis courts with coaching provided.
3. A permanent well run Youth Club.

c. Survey of Young People

1. The lack of a Youth Club and a safe place to meet within the village.
2. Insufficient clubs and activities available to young people locally.
3. An increased use of the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA).

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Establishing Priorities

The top areas to take forward from this area of the plan were established through the survey of priorities held in spring 2008

•     The preservation of the character of the village;
•     The provision of a safe place for young people to meet;
•     The provision of a Youth Club;
•     The promotion of the village website and better use of notice boards to provide information;
•     Improved use of the MUGA and the provision of coaching in tennis;
•     Better advertising and access to existing clubs for young people;
•     The development of more daytime clubs.

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Action Plan

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Copyright © 2007 West Bergholt Parish Council
Last modified: 01-Dec-2008