6 replies to this topic

[Matt]

I'm considering killing the forums that are badly used - notably Ilkley, Other areas, and Otley - possibly replacing them with a 'general chat' forum?

What to you think?

[Kingfisher]

Matt, I am sure you meant hardly rather than badly used, Wharfedale, even locally, covers many communities, some not so large, perhaps the smaller ones may feel they don't have a voice here. Can some channel be left open so these smaller communities can still be encouraged to take part in general discussion without having to be from Otley, Burley, Ilkley, Addingham or Menston? Yes I agree that some of these are not as well used as they could be. General chat sounds good but without a sense of identity and belonging, something I think is important, will anyone bother if they aren't from one of the larger towns. I probably wouldn't. If I lived in Weston or Askwith for instance I would have to feel pretty strongly about an issue before I posted to a general "chat" area if I felt I didn't belong to it.

[Matt]

A good point kingfisher.

How about keeping 'other areas' and listing the other Wharfedale communities in the forum description. If any then really take off, we can promote them to a seperare forum?

Matt

[Sebastian-Smythe]

As a new member to your site I can understand, in part, your wish to remove other forums.
But surely networking leads to a greater understanding ofthe area.

Perhaps if said forums were pushed a bit more or integrated - reciprocal debates -
with other sites in the valley they would be more use than ornament.

Just a thought.

[catbazza]

How about just one forum which would be open to all & called the Wharfedale Forum.

Also close the for sale & Wanted section as this is well covered by the Ilkley & Otley Freecycle groups.

[weirdmusic]

I don't think that any of the forums should be closed down, its only in the past 6 months that all the Wharfedale Forums have been fully functioning. It took me the best part of 3 months to be able to join.

The recruitment of new members from right across the area is vital, otherwise the whole thing becomes a joke. The current membership of just 237, is quite pathetic anyway.

All the forums need promoting / publicising - posters in libraries, post offices, on noticeboards, in shop windows, tell your friends, relations etc. Add a line to all your emails / letters etc.

Every member should try and recruit at least one new member by the end of each month.

Only close forums down when all avenues of advertising & promotion of them have been exhausted.

[Sebastian-Smythe]

I've just added your site to my On Line Communities on one of my blogs.
I hope it helps to bring more to your pages.
You'll find it here http://purpleilkley.blogspot.com/