ABSOLUTELYFINALPLAN1stJune09 AW.pdf - Biddestone Village

Questionnaire Results: CommunicationThe questionnaire returns revealed that while only 33% of the parish had everattended a Parish Council meeting, over 40% would like more informationabout its role and activities.Communication about events relating to the parish comes by way of the fournotice boards placed around the villages; the Biddestone Broadsheet which isproduced and distributed to every household each month; distribution ofnotices and flyers and also by word of mouth. Many households alsosubscribe to the Honeycomb, a magazine produced by the By Brook Benefice.An all inclusive Biddestone and Slaughterford website is hoped for. Its aim is toprovide as much information as possible with news, events and official notices.It is understood that not everyone has access to the internet, but it is hopedthat the website will become an important channel of communication in thefuture. The website would also have links to local authority sites as well as tolocal businesses and services such as bed and breakfast facilities in thelocality.The Biddestone Village Hall and Recreation Committee actively seekssponsorship of local events which also helps to raise awareness of what ishappening. The 5K and 10K run in 2008 was sponsored by a local firm ofestate agents.There is a telephone box in both Biddestone and Slaughterford. These areparticularly important for the many walkers and other tourists who come to theparish as well as for people in the parish without a home phone. However theboxes no longer take cash and operate only with cards, a 999 service andreversing the charges.19% of local residents use the phone boxes. Mobile phone reception is poor inmuch of Biddestone and Slaughterford and many parishioners have difficultiesin obtaining successful Internet broadband connection.Biddestone & Slaughterford Parish Plan41