Wadhurst Questionnaire
Results
In November 2002, the
Wadhurst Partnership sent out a series of questionnaires in order :
to collect facts
& figures to contribute to the "Healthcheck" we have to prepare on
Wadhurst and its immediate area;
to help find out
the strengths and weaknesses of Wadhurst in the eyes of the community,
as a first step for the Partnership to arrive at an Action Plan, setting
realistic priorities for the town, to enable it to bid for funding for
projects aimed at maintaining the vitality of Wadhurst.
Four sets of self-completion
questionnaires were distributed and we received a generally good level
of response:
Voluntary organisations
and clubs - 68 questionnaires sent out 36 returned completed (53% response rate)
Businesses and retailers
- 200 questionnaires sent out 61 returned completed (31% response rate)
Resident households
- 1800 questionnaires sent out 386 returned completed (20%+ response rate)
Young people - distributed
to all Uplands students + Year 6 in Primary schools (around 1100 questionnaires) approximately 670 responses included (61%)
All
the completed questionnaires are currently being fully "data-based" with
help from Uplands so that the necessary facts and figures can be included
in the "Healthcheck", but this document summarises some of the findings,
especially those relating to respondents" attitudes to Wadhurst - its
positives and negatives, and developments which would be welcomed or not
welcomed.
Key Research Findings
1.
Voluntary organisations and clubs
The respondents:
- A broad range
of organisations responded, encompassing among others - charities,
fundraisers & trusts; church groups; sports, music & hobbies
clubs; and organisations aimed at both young and old.
- Two thirds are
based only in Wadhurst, the remainder having regional, national or
international affiliations.
- In total, those
organisations have over 1600 members in Wadhurst - an average of some
48 members per club/ organisation.
- Two thirds are
funded by membership or subscription, but many of these also rely
on other funding sources such as donations, grants or fund-raising
exercises.
- Only 3 of the
36 responding organisations employed any staff - some 11 part-time
workers between them.
- Two out of three
are open to anyone in the community who is interested. Twice as many
clubs cater for the young as for the old, but many find that their
membership is weighted to retired individuals.
- On average, the
organisations responding have been operating in Wadhurst for some
82 years.
Benefits of Wadhurst
Asked how their organisation/
club benefits from being based in Wadhurst:
The highest proportion,
a third, comment on the good meeting or sports facilities they enjoy,
noted as being varied, accessible and reasonably priced;
Almost a quarter
feel they benefit from good support in Wadhurst both from the community
and through generating close links with other local organisations, businesses
and the Parish Council;
14% believe Wadhurst
is "a good size" of community, large enough to provide a good mix of members.
8% comment positively
on the "village atmosphere" or "community spirit" of Wadhurst which helps
them to thrive;
Another 8% quote
Wadhurst"s rural environment and location, which provides appropriate
facilities for their organisation to flourish.
Problems of Wadhurst
In terms of the drawbacks
of the town from their organisation"s viewpoint:
12 organisations
said being located in Wadhurst held no drawbacks for their organisation;
The most cited single
problem was that of recruiting new or younger members, or apathy - 6 respondents
(17%) mentioned this, ranging across all types of organisations;
5 organisations (14%)
found meeting rooms inadequate in Wadhurst for their needs, as either
too small, too expensive, or lacking in amenities and/ or storage;
4 organisations (11%)
found parking a problem which impinged on their activities, especially
in terms of enabling elderly or disabled individuals to participate;
Other problems quoted
by 2 or 3 organisations include limited sports facilities (football, swimming),
the weather, public transport, vandalism/ theft, poor publicity for events.
Suggested improvements/ developments
The suggestions put
forward fall into six main areas:
More involvement/
participation by Wadhurst residents, especially younger "recruits" or
volunteers (7 organisations);
Better provision of information within Wadhurst, or improved communication
and co-ordination between groups (7 organisations) , including:
-
a local contact
list - individuals in the area who can supply interesting or useful
skills
- a
central "What"s On" notice board
-
a community
newsletter (funded by local businesses)
-
improved meeting rooms with better facilities for their needs
- bar, kitchen, storage space (6)
-
improvements in outdoor/ sports facilities (4)
-
improved public parking or "setting down area" in High Street
(3)
-
safer roads, pavements, street lighting and litter bins (2)
Interest in Wadhurst initiatives
Respondents were asked which of five possible developments in Wadhurst
their organisation could become involved in or contribute to:
A joint fundraising event |
16 |
44% |
A published events calendar for Wadhurst |
13 |
36% |
Attracting visitors to Wadhurst |
11 |
31% |
A town trail or map |
10 |
28% |
Support for local business/ local purchasing |
8 |
22% |
Approaching half of the responding
organisations favour a joint fund-raising event in Wadhurst.
Second most popular, with a third
of organisations is a published events calendar, suggesting not all are
fully conversant or satisfied with the existing arrangements for publicising
events.
A similar proportion (around
30%) support the aims of attracting visitors to Wadhurst and creating
a town trail or map.
2. Businesses and retailers
The respondents
A wide range of businesses responded,
including schools and health services, building services, vehicle sales
& servicing, pubs & accommodation providers, retailers, manufacturers,
solicitors, accountancy & book keeping, architecture, road haulage,
publishing, agriculture & horticulture.
Two thirds of the businesses responding
are based only in Wadhurst - the remainder are split evenly between local,
regional and national/ international groups.
On average, these businesses had
been operating in Wadhurst for some 23 years, with the majority (over
60%) established for 11+ years.
The majority (66%) draw most of
their customers from Wadhurst or within 20 miles of the town, although
a quarter said most customers come from outside Kent & Sussex.
Overall, 488 workers are employed
by the 61 businesses - just over 8 per business. 23% of the sample are
individuals working alone, and only 5 businesses employ over 20 people.
Of the 488 workers:
-
50% work full time
-
64% are female
-
50% live in Wadhurst
Benefits
of Wadhurst
In assessing the benefits
of Wadhurst as a business base:
The highest proportion, 39%, comment
on the strength of community spirit, the eagerness to use local suppliers
and the benefits that come from being an established name in the town;
20% refer to Wadhurst"s "thriving"
High Street and good local services (banks, PO etc) which encourage visitors
to the town and provide services for their own business to survive;
15% cite Wadhurst"s location within
the South East and accessibility to London & Europe;
11% comment on the affluent nature
of the "catchment area" in which Wadhurst is situated;
8% quote Wadhurst"s pleasant environment,
making it a nice place to live and work;
A further 8% remark on the potential
for relatively inexpensive business premises in Wadhurst compared to other
locations.
Problems
of Wadhurst
With regard to the
town's drawbacks from the point of view of their business and/ or their
workers:
18% said being located in Wadhurst
held no drawbacks for their business;
23% referred to parking problems
either affecting their customers or their staff - a problem mentioned
in relation to the High Street, Durgates and Sparrows Green
20% mentioned traffic and congestion
as a problem - either by reducing access for customers or increasing their
own journey times;
16% made reference to the cost
implications of being located in Wadhurst - either the general "cost of
living" in this part of the country, high house prices making staff recruitment/
retention problematic, or high business rates;
10% comment on shortfalls in local
services or support in the immediate area;
7% feel the lack of police presence
is an issue resulting in vandalism etc
A further 7% are conscious Wadhurst
offers only a limited market for their services.
Suggested improvements/ developments
Some improvements suggested
follow directly from drawbacks, others are more pro-active:
Only 14 businesses
had noted "parking" as a problem to their business, but twice as many
believe improved parking in Wadhurst would help their business.
In contrast, while
12 businesses had mentioned traffic as a problem, just 7 felt there could
be improvements to the traffic situation in Wadhurst - better traffic
control etc;
As many respondents,
7 businesses (11%), see affordable housing as a development which could
ultimately help their business or improve conditions for their workers;
10% (6 businesses)
would like to see improved services in the town - including a café
for lunches, longer shop opening hours etc;
7% (4 businesses)
want to encourage more joint initiatives within the town, such as Christmas
lights, local purchasing initiatives etc;
Another 7% would
welcome greater availability of "information" within Wadhurst - such as
a central information point for residents, better tourist information,
a job seekers board.
Concern about future development
The main focus among
those expressing concern is of over-development of Wadhurst with its perceived
accompanying problems of traffic congestion, pressure on parking, environmental
damage. Over a quarter of respondents register such concerns - and are
anxious to preserve the "character", "rurality", "village atmosphere"
and sense of "community" that Wadhurst has.
Interest in Wadhurst initiatives
All respondents were
prompted with a list of 8 possible initiatives for Wadhurst, and asked
which their business might be interested in being involved in or contributing
to:
| Affordable housing |
23 |
38% |
A published events calendar for Wadhurst |
18 |
30% |
A town trail or map |
14 |
23% |
Improving the range of local services |
14 |
23% |
Attracting visitors/ tourists to Wadhurst |
11 |
18% |
Buying locally/ forming local buying group |
7 |
11% |
A joint fundraising event |
7 |
11% |
Training local people in particular skills |
6 |
10% |
Well over a third of responding
businesses claim to be interested in initiatives aimed at developing affordable
housing, ranging across all types of businesses;
30% favour the publication of
an events calendar for Wadhurst;
Third most popular is the production
of a town trail or map supported by a quarter;
An equal proportion
support the idea of improving the range of local services - including
a huge range from:
- - availability of Broadband
- - the addition of a weekly market
- - a comprehensive listing of local businesses
- - a healthy eating initiative for young people
3. Summary of groups" responses - voluntary organisations
and businesses
4. Wadhurst and area residents
The detailed statistics of household composition and activity are still
being compiled, but responses to the key questions relating to residents"
views on Wadhurst are summarised here, giving an idea of relative priorities
within the community:
Good things about Wadhurst
Virtually every respondent
has something positive to say about Wadhurst, falling into four main groups
- the shops/ services; the leisure/ activities; the location/ environment;
and the atmosphere/ ethos:
Over half, 55%, make
some general reference to the excellence of the shops and services within
Wadhurst - with a further 15% extolling the range of services, and 5%
complimenting the friendliness and helpfulness of the shops and services.
-
Virtually every shop in Wadhurst is mentioned by at least
one respondent, with the medical facilities noted by 10%, the Churches
by 6%, the Post Office by 5%, and banks by 4%.
-
Public transport is also regarded as good by a proportion
- 14% say the train service is good and 6% the buses.
19% of residents comment on the number and range of leisure activities
and clubs in which one can participate in Wadhurst.
-
Specifically mentioned are sports facilities and the gym
(5%), the number of organisations offering help and support (4%), the
availability of free parking (3%), and the library (3%).
Also highly treasured is the location of Wadhurst:
-
27% of residents cite the countryside as the good thing
about living here, 10% quote the clean and pleasant environment, 7% praise
its beauty, and 6% the peacefulness.
-
In terms of general location, 10% value its proximity to
London, 7% its nearness to Tunbridge Wells, 4% the accessibility to the
coast.
Equally well-regarded is the "village atmosphere":
-
22% comment on the friendly atmosphere, 20% refer to the
community spirit, and 10% to the helpful and caring Wadhurst people
-
For many residents, 14%, Wadhurst represents the "right
size" of community - large enough to have a range of services but not
so large as to lose its character. 6% see Wadhurst as a thriving and active
community.
-
8% feel it is a "safe" environment, with little crime.
Bad things about Wadhurst
The vast majority of respondents named problems
or difficulties with living in Wadhurst from their point of view. These
divide in to a number of aspects detailed below:
32 respondents (8%) said they found no drawbacks with regard to living
in Wadhurst;
The largest single proportion commented on parking difficulties
-
43% in general feel that parking provision in Wadhurst
represents a problem
-
3% commented in addition on the lack of parking at the
station
-
a further 3% referred to parking problems in Durgates,
Sparrows Green and around the Primary School
However, at least as many residents in total mentioned traffic and
congestion as an issue:
-
42% conscious of problems with the volume of traffic and
congestion in general in Wadhurst
-
14% unhappy in particular with the speed of traffic on
Wadhurst roads
-
9% comment specifically on the lack of pedestrian crossing
places in the High Street and at Durgates
-
3% believe heavy and noisy traffic is an issue in Wadhurst
-
1% complain about the lack of pavements or poor repair
of pavements, which make walking to and from the town (especially from
Cousley Wood) or to and from the station a problem.
The next most mentioned single aspect is public transport - 12%
of residents feel that public transport provision in Wadhurst is not adequate.
Another area of perceived problems is in policing and "nuisance" issues
-
10% of residents are unhappy with the level of police presence
in Wadhurst
-
2% feel vandalism is an issue
-
1% refer to the pub / club noise and disturbance they experience
The cost of living in Wadhurst is an area of concern voiced here as
well
-
7% in particular find house prices in Wadhurst a major
drawback to living here
-
A further 2% refer in general to the expensive cost of
living in Wadhurst
Aspects of the environment are raised by a minority of residents
-
5% comment on the prevalence of litter
-
3% mention poor road maintenance
-
3% are unhappy with the amount of dog fouling
-
2% raise the issue of street lighting
Another range of drawbacks raised relate to the shortfall in facilities
and services available
-
5% comment here on the lack of a covered swimming pool
-
4% mention the lack of a grocer or food store on the High
Street
-
3% feel there is a shortfall in recycling provision or
collection
-
2% refer to the lack of an adequate football field or astroturf
-
2% believe that the children"s play provision is inadequate
-
a further 2% feel that the town lacks a suitable teenage
meeting place
Finally, a tiny minority of those responding believe that one difficulty
in Wadhurst is apathy or poor community spirit, especially among "outsiders"
who don"t contribute to the life of the town.
Suggested
improvements or changes to Wadhurst within the next few years
When asked about improvements
they would like to see in Wadhurst, a number of key strands emerge
Parking is the top
priority residents wish to see addressed within the next few years - over
half of all respondents (51%), mention parking in answer to this question.
The highest proportion simply ask for better parking provision (22%),
but some would like to see parking restrictions to improve the situation
(17%), and some look for Uplands to provide more parking to relieve the
pressure on the town"s car parks (10%).
Resolving the traffic
problems is the second most popular area for improvement - some 45% refer
to traffic related issues, with equal numbers suggesting traffic calming
and pedestrian crossings (15%), and others looking for traffic restriction
in the village (7%) or better public transport (7%).
Certain facilities
feature strongly on the Wadhurst "wish list" - the main two items being
an indoor swimming pool (14%) and a food store on the High Street (8%).
A wide range of other facilities or services are each mentioned by a minority
of respondents, including for example, finishing the Sparrows Green facilities,
a better library, a restaurant or café, and more youth facilities
or activities.
11% of residents
suggest affordable housing should be a priority in the next few years.
A further 11% would
like to see an increased police presence in Wadhurst.
Overall, some 16%
of residents ask for improvements to the Wadhurst "environment" - including
the largest number hoping for a tidier or cleaner town (9%), but also
minorities hoping for improved pavements and roads, better street lighting,
and more floral displays or trees.
Finally, better recycling
provision or collection is requested by 6% of Wadhurst residents.
Preferred new building or facility
in Wadhurst
When asked to nominate
just one new building or facility they would like to see in Wadhurst:
By far the largest
proportion, over a third (36%), request a covered/ indoor swimming pool;
10% would like to
see a food store on the High Street.
Third most popular
is the addition of a restaurant or café, nominated by 6%.
Car parking is reiterated
here by 5% of residents.
Another 5% would
like to see a youth meeting place.
4% suggest a library.
Preferred
new service or activity in Wadhurst
In terms of a new service
for the town:
The most often mentioned
service is better policing (7%).
Swimming is mentioned
again by 6%.
An improved bus service
is requested by 5%.
4% mention each of
better recycling, teenage activities and a restaurant/ café.
5. Young people
Good things
about Wadhurst
When asked to give
the "good things" about Wadhurst from their point of view, the 670 student
respondents echo the answers of residents in general (shops, friendliness,
facilities), albeit at a reduced level, as some 20% can find no "good
things" to contribute (including both those who say "none" or nothing"
and those who simply leave this section blank or say that they live elsewhere
so don"t feel able to comment):
36% of the young
respondents say the shops are the good things about Wadhurst - most mention
either Dillons or Newingtons (or "sweet shops" in general), others name
the Bakery, the Book shop, and the Fishing Shop specifically.
In second place,
less than half this proportion (16%) name "friends" or friendliness as
one of the good things about Wadhurst.
14% refer to the
sports facilities as a benefit of Wadhurst.
13% say that school
or Uplands is a good thing about the town.
12% praise the fact
that Wadhurst is small, quiet, safe and child-friendly in their view.
6% like the countryside,
the scenery, the space, the walks and the cleanness of the environment
in and around Wadhurst.
4% make particular
reference to the recreation ground at Sparrows Green as a benefit.
4% talk in general
terms about the facilities or activities available in Wadhurst, with a
further 2% mentioning the Youth Club and 1% the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.
3% feel that the
public transport to and from Wadhurst is good, and 1% say it is easy to
get to places from Wadhurst.
2% comment on the
community spirit or village feel of Wadhurst.
Bad things about Wadhurst
Overall there are less
"bad things" noted by the young respondents than "good things" about Wadhurst:
By far the greatest
criticism is the traffic and congestion, which some 34% of students remarked
on. A further 3% said simply that Wadhurst is too busy or crowded.
Half as many (18%)
claim that there is "nothing to do" or that Wadhurst is boring, and another
2% say there is "nowhere for them to go" to meet or "hang out".
6% complain that
there are not enough shops, 4% that they are the "wrong" sort of shops
in Wadhurst.
6% comment that Wadhurst
is "dirty" or there is too much litter.
Another 6% criticise
the public transport provision as inadequate and/ or expensive. In addition,
2% find the train station is too far from the centre to allow easy access.
4% feel there are
too many "old people" in Wadhurst.
3% comment that there
is not sufficient parking available.
3% are intimidated
by the perceived prevalence of crime, drugs and smoking in Wadhurst.
2% think Wadhurst
is too small.
Suggested improvements or changes
When asked what improvements
or changes they would personally like to see in Wadhurst within the next
few years, most addressed the "bad things" they had raised in the earlier
question:
21% wished to see
the issue of traffic and congestion in Wadhurst resolved, with a further
2% mentioning traffic calming measures in particular.
16% would welcome
more and better shops in Wadhurst, with a further 4% specifically interested
in clothes shops, and 1% each asking for more sweet shops and toy or gift
shops.
12% would like more
activities or "more to do" in Wadhurst in general, with further specific
requests for:
-
a cinema 7%
-
a skate park
/ club / lessons 7%
-
a covered swimming
pool 5%
-
young people"s
meeting place 5%
-
a café or take
away 4%
-
improvements
to Rec. 4%
-
more sports
facilities 4%
9% thought there
should be pedestrian crossings in the High Street or at Durgates.
6% felt that the
parking situation should be improved with more parking provision in Wadhurst.
4% requested improvements
to public transport provision, especially buses to Tunbridge Wells, Mayfield,
Mark Cross etc. A further 1% would like easier access to the station.
3% would like to
see Wadhurst cleaned up, with less litter, chewing gum and dog fouling
in evidence.
Most students did not
give very precise or useful answers to the question of what changes they
did not want to see occur in Wadhurst in the future.
Preferred new building / facility / service / activity in
Wadhurst
Many students did not
readily differentiate between the one building/ facility or service/ activity
they would like to see in Wadhurst often repeating the same response,
or only answering one of the two questions, so responses to the two questions
have been amalgamated, and requests only counted once per respondent.
As a result, there were 874 responses in total on which the percentages
below are based:
13% wanted a
cinema
12% a covered
swimming pool
7% opted for
more or better shops in Wadhurst
An equal proportion,
7%, would like a skate park / club / lessons
A further 7%
would like a clothes shop specifically
5% ask for an
improved bus service
5% would like
a longer opening youth centre or place to "chill"
4% request an
athletics/ sports/ gym centre
3% would like
a fast food/ burger or take away
Another 3% would
like a restaurant/ café
A huge array
of other suggestions are put forward - some 29 getting four or more mentions,
including a teenage night club / disco, a hospital, a music shop, ice
skating rink, horse riding centre, bike park or tracks, music venue or
tuition, karting and paintball, dance classes, pool or snooker, and more
girls sports teams.
6. Summary of individuals' responses - residents and
young people
7. Brief summary and implications of findings
There is general
agreement on the benefits or good things about Wadhurst:
-
It offers an
excellent range and quality of local services and facilities but within
a small town or "village" environment;
-
There is a good
community spirit, with friendly and supportive people;
-
Wadhurst is
sited in a pleasant rural environment, peaceful and safe with lovely scenery
and the opportunity for rural recreation.
There is very widespread
agreement on the drawbacks or bad things about Wadhurst across the different
groups questioned, namely traffic and parking.
In a sense, Wadhurst
is seen as "a victim of its own success", with the excellence of the shops,
schools and health services among others attracting more visitors than
can be accommodated in terms of parking and hence compromising traffic
flow through the town.
There is an acute
awareness of the fine balance which must be maintained within Wadhurst
|
Keep
Wadhurst thriving:
|
|
Retain
Wadhurst's character
|
|
Retain
shops & services
|
|
Reduce
congestion
|
|
Maintain
good facilities
|
BUT
|
Avoid
over development
|
|
Provide
enough parking
|
|
Maintain
rural feel
|
|
Mix
of housing
|
|
Ensure
"locals" can stay
|
The "wish list" priorities
are therefore dominated by the related issues of parking and traffic -
and this is true across both young and old age groups and businesses,
as these issues are currently seen to threaten Wadhurst's attractiveness.
è The
highest priority must be to consider the parking and traffic issues
è And
it is important that all other developments and initiatives consider both
the parking and traffic repercussions that might result.
After parking and
traffic, affordable housing, more visible policing and an
improved bus service feature strongly in terms of general improvements
that would be welcomed.
In terms of
one building or facility, an improved swimming pool is top overall,
with a cinema and skate park popular options among the young
people, a food store and a restaurant or café among
residents in general.
|
