Do any of you live in places with websites?

We are looking at commisioning a website for our village.  Primarily it will be a way of circulating news and information to residents but with the added benefit of giving 'tourist' information to visitors.  It will be supported by the Parish Council and they will use it for planning information, consultation papers, contact details and other county and local initiatives.

My questions are:
Do you use sites like this when looking to visit somewhere new?  As a potential visitor what counts as useful information for you?
Does your town/village have a website and do you use it? If you do have a website what do you like best about it and what do you wish it had?

Just a bit of feedback would be of great help.  I'm keen to ensure we haven't missed anything really important!  Many thanks

Mine village web site is

http://haddenham.net/

It starts out rather dull with the village notice board but if you look at the section "about Haddenham" it is more interesting.

You can check out :-  www.orsettvillage.co.uk

and also :- http://www.mersea-island.com

Although the second one would appear to be better, the forums are nearly dead - whilst the former has really busy forums!

Yes!   And its riveting.

> Yes!   And its riveting.

Oh!

Do you think it would be too rude of me to suggest some (naming no names CW) could be used as examples of what not to do?! 

I thought the photo's might be nice but...                Lawks a mercy!

PS I've been showing the Parish Council some very nice dog breeders site.  This generates some very odd sideways looks :)

Our website is here.  I use it to see what's on in the town if I fancy a night out.

The what's on is up-to-date, but a lot of the other links are broken.  It's also good for current awareness about local issues.

I do use a lot of these kinds of sites when I'm travelling, and many of them are rather more in the way of being promotional sites.  I like this one, but then I love this area!

Polly, under news about rubbish collection on the first page there is mention of the village handyman; do you know if that is a parish paid role?  We're looking at other options as alternatives to volunteer litter pickers and it's useful to know how other parishes manage.

Vanhalla, the Glossop one is interesting, partly as we have friends who used to live there but also because it's designed/hosted by a company that has been recommended to me.  It's a bit busy though isn't it and not so easy to navigate.  The Nidderdale one you like though is a really good one - it positively invites you to visit.  The Oldest Sweetshop looks great :)

> Do you think it would be too rude of me to suggest some (naming no names CW) could be used as examples of what not to do?! 
>

I suppose they will need to see both sides of the coin!!!!

http://www.woodcote-online.co.uk/

Is our village website.
Yes have used it to find out what's going on etc.
Useful info centre :)

http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/stanton

This is my village

Polly, under news about rubbish collection on the first page there is mention of the village handyman; do you know if that is a parish paid role?  We're looking at other options as alternatives to volunteer litter pickers and it's useful to know how other parishes manage.

I used to be a paid handywoman in my parents' village. I did it part time when my children were young and was employed by the parish council and was paid by them - can't remember how much now as it was a fair few years ago but it was more than minimum wage. I used to cut back hedges that were obscuring road signs, views from side turnings etc, keep the ditches clear and ensure the free flow of water through them, pick up litter, wash the bollards at the roadside and any other job that needed doing in order to keep the village neat and tidy. I really enjoyed the job but it no longer exists as H&S considerations couldn't be met within the limited budget of the parish council.

Can't say I have bothered to look at my local website - don't think it is up to much.  However I have used websites of places that I have been looking at for family history research -and sometimes just trying to find out about an area.  I found one of my great uncles on the website because they had included the soldiers from the war memorial.  I contacted the website because the information was incorrect. 

> I used to be a paid handywoman in my parents' village. I did it part time when my children were young and was employed by the parish council and was paid by them - can't remember how much now as it was a fair few years ago but it was more than minimum wage. I used to cut back hedges that were obscuring road signs, views from side turnings etc, keep the ditches clear and ensure the free flow of water through them, pick up litter, wash the bollards at the roadside and any other job that needed doing in order to keep the village neat and tidy. I really enjoyed the job but it no longer exists as H&S considerations couldn't be met within the limited budget of the parish council.

This is much the same as our village handyman does, plus he mows the grass verges and mows the pathways around the village wildlife set aside area. He is paid but I don't know how much. I would suspect it is well above minimum wage.

Ah that is where you live Boxacrazy.. Did keep my eyes peeled for Boxers being walked when i was up your way and visited your little shop too!!

> the village handyman

Ours is known as the parish lengthsman and he cuts back hedges obscuring footpaths and signs , paints bus stops and many more jobs . I believe it is a part time job , and i know he is paid a wage .

Thanks to all of you for the information.  It's really useful to see lots of alternative websites.  Much of the core content is the same but it's good to see the different styles and and there are some helpful ideas with each of the sites I've seen so far.

Please keep them coming - it's invaluable research.  Many thanks

This is the one for my village - I have a nosey occasionally to see what is happening!

Here is one from my local village
http://www.poynings.net/

Im a Parish Clerk and have been a Town Clerk my three parishs were/are Hedge End Town Council, Colden Common Parish and Twyford Parish Council all three have websites. In Twyford Im the only paid employee and we are a tiny parish.  We decided to employ a village gardener and advertised for one 1 day a month.

That way we do not have to employ full time ie on the books as it were but use Karl monthly for a set cost that he bills monthly. We out source our grounds maint. The bigger TC had a staff of 12+ by the time I left in 2001.

The web site we have now I like I can get minutes on it any info from the Borough & County Council, viullage organistaions, groups ect.. Anyone can post they just send it (A, a Cllr) and he vet's it. Plus we have strated a village information email system that the Clerk monitors and we send stuff of interest direct to residenrts who enrolled, and can remove their names as well. 

Reminder make sure you have your Data Protection registration up to date.

Lengthsmen/women were often employed but now due to H&S working adjacent to the Highway is a no no with out risk assesments, insurance and the correct PPC.

Best of luck with your web site.  I retire from my tiny PC in April so Im down to a full time job only!!