The emerging Eynsham News Group ran a short survey in February, to test the continuing need for a printed newsletter - and asked what people might like to read about, while we were at it. Thanks to Eynsham Library, Medical Centre, Post Office and other venues for hosting forms and drop-boxes; and to Clare Wiles, Alex Thomas, Riddhi Patel, and Xueying Liu from Oxford Student Consultancy for the analysis.
The results have been illuminating ...
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The sheer number of responses (111 from a chilly 20 days that included a school holiday). In contrast, the Echo household survey in February 2010 attracted only 29 responses.
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No real divergence of views, whether people use the internet regularly or not.
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Strong opinions on content - given that contacts, current affairs and what's on would be included anyway.
The clear favourites were:
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Entertainment (exhibitions, films, concerts, dances, theatre) 19%
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‘Helping Hand’ (charities, support groups, volunteering opportunities) 18%
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Great Outdoors (allotments, gardening, open gardens, walks) 16-17%
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Local Heroes (profiles, fund-raisers, obituaries) 13-14%.
The Eynsham News will follow these guidelines carefully as it prepares for launch on 15 April. Local contributions are welcome, especially from community groups - so make it work for you!