About this website

www.BalcombeVillage.co.uk was created by Andrew Edmondson in November 2002. Coincidentally, www.balcombe.info was created by Malcom Kenward around the same time. We decided to amalgamate the websites; Malcolm managed the business side and I managed community matters. In 2007 I took over the business side, and now there is just one village website, www.BalcombeVillage.co.uk.

I have always intended that the website be an additional, free source of information for residents.

I firstly created a bulletin board (discussion forum) for residents to easily communicate with the entire village. This was initially met with enthusiasm but is currently underused. Apart from the local church-run Parish Magazine, there is no easy way for residents to communicate with the village. The bulletin board will nevertheless remain open; the software has been improved and now there is instant registration.

Gradually, web pages were created for the clubs and organisations in Balcombe. These are now complete and are updated annually with the help of Balcombe Stores.

In 2002, the Parish Council allowed the website to display minutes and other publications. The great advantage of storing documents on a website is that they can be quickly searched; there is a search engine on the Home page. Parish Council activities and announcements are placed in the Stop Press part of the Home page. Residents who are unable to reach the village noticeboards can easily access all Parish Council documents.

From the outset, www.BalcombeVillage.co.uk has been a free service. Since taking over the business website, all local businesses can now advertise for free. Residents and others can post announcements on the Home page and on the bulletin board for free. In 2007, I added a PayPal icon on the Home page for donations; these will help with the cost of maintaining the website (ISP, telephone calls, software).

The website receives well over 100 visits per week. A fair proportion of these are from outside the village, and I receive regular emails from potential visitors, people tracing their ancestors, local businesses, etc. Those considering moving to Balcombe use the website to find out more about the village, e.g. creche facilities.

There is an archive for local photos and videos, although I have provided most of the content so far. This is another underused resource that could eventually take off.

In November 2007, the website will have been running for 5 years. The structure of the website is complete, but there is a real need for more input from residents in order for it to become a vibrant reflection of the community.

Andrew Edmondson (webmaster)

June 2007

DISCLAIMER

It should be noted that the views expressed on the bulletin board are not necessarily those of the Parish Council, and that the Parish Council urges residents to contact them directly about matters raised there.