A total of 31 people replied and returned the recent questionnaire sent to Reepham Society members. This has given the society food for thought and some good suggestions for a future programme.
The most popular subject for talks was “local history”, followed by “sustainable development” and “conservation”; ten other subjects were put forward as suggestions.
Fourteen members were happy with the reduced number of five talks a year, with nine suggesting there should be 6-12 a year.
The most popular thing that people would like that is currently not done by the Reepham Society is a guided visit around the town. This could be held at weekends and aimed at local people, visitors and people from like-minded societies, as has happened in the past.
Most members were happy with the continued use of St Michael’s as a venue for talks, with others preferring a return to the Town Hall.
Various suggestions were made as to how the society could engage with young people, such as liaising with local schools, inviting a young friend to talks and finding out from students what topics they would like covered.
Five members said they may possibly like to be involved in committee work.
An annual or quarterly newsletter to inform members, particularly those who are housebound, about the work of the society was suggested by several people. One member noted that the society used to produce a business directory and that its absence was a loss to the community.
Some people thought the Reepham Society had “lost its way” or “run its course” and suggested a major review of its aims and objectives and how it involved members would improve the society.
Other members spoke of how in the past the society had been more involved with local issues and how to deal with them in a positive way, while some raised concerns about the lack of leadership and direction.
As members will already be aware from a letter noting recent resignations from the committee, a debate about the future of the society is already happening.
It is obvious from the response to the questionnaire that members care about the society and what happens to it. Hopefully, at the society’s Annual General Meeting on 9 April, a new committee will be formed to take forward some of these positive suggestions for the future.
Denise Treissman, Committee member