Godstone Village
Association
[gva]
“ A
new team for a new look”
The GVA,
under the direction of its new Chairman- Felicity Gresser, is being restructured
to improve its effectiveness and flexibility in meeting its prime objective of
responding to the current and future needs of the people of Godstone.
The Committee remains responsible for policy and strategy, consultation and
liaison with local authorities, and other organisations. In addition it will
oversee the work of 5 new Sub Committees which are currently being
formed.
These Sub Committees will be responsible for;
·
Planning
·
Traffic
& Parking
·
Communications,
Publicity, and Liaison
·
Events
·
Fund
raising and membership
and
comprise members of the local community who have a keen interest, and
often expertise in the specific subject
The GVA are recruiting members for these Sub Committees and welcome any local
residents who would like to join one of our new teams and make their
contribution tell. To know more please contact;
info@godstone.net
Background
- Started under the name of Godstone Village Appraisal
Project [GVAP]
- Started in July 2001 with a village wide meeting
- There followed a series of open meetings throughout the autumn of
2001
- January 2002 saw the beginnings of a questionnaire
- In March 2002 the questionnaire was tested on willing volunteers
- April 7th–21st 2002 nearly 1200 households
were visited twice or sometimes three or even more times
- By early summer it was clear that a splendid 72% return had been
achieved.
- This was the largest democratic act held in Godstone and our
feelings then, as now, are that villager’s views should not be dismissed
lightly.
Action Plan
- September 24th 2002 was the launch night for Appraisal
results.
- Each area was discussed and recommendations made
- Project Groups formed to work on six different aspects of village
life and they determined the questions to be asked.
- Crime and Neighbourhood Watch
- Traffic and Parking
- Health and other services
- Communication
- Environment
- Consultation with South Godstone
and Blindley Heath
- Copies of the report were distributed to every household by willing
volunteers. This document was an honest reflection of village views and a
statistical success for those with that kind of mind. It was well received
by residents, councils and all those that took the time to read it.
- Awareness/fundraising events were held to finance the Project. All
have been fun, all have been financially successful and all have been jolly
hard work for those organising.
- A mailing list of over 100 names has been established – of these
some 65% receive regular information by e-mail.
- Success is difficult to gauge when GVAP is working with so many
statutory bodies that cannot give a straight answer to a straight question.
- A second mini questionnaire was distributed in June 2003 to
establish more information about specific traffic, parking and health issues
- As time marched on with no apparent “big hit” interest waned
towards the autumn of 2003.
- A new booklet entitled “One Year On” was published in September
2003. In addition to sharing progress with residents this booklet provided
relevant information about a raft of village organisations. Each group
reported on activities for the previous year – some had made great
progress while others had been held back by outside forces or had faltered
through lack of support.
- Following the Forum in November 2003 it was decided to abandon
separate Project groups and concentrate efforts through the Steering Group
made up of the willing Project Leaders.
- Communication is the key to any project such as this and to this end
the Steering Group has decided to report to the village at each Forum
meeting and hold at least four awareness events each year.