About the Web Site
Q. Why are we doing it?
A. Because we have grown up in this
village and consider it to be our
'home'. We have both married local
people and have lived in the village. We
have loved ones buried in the
churchyard. We both believe that such a
website is our way of helping to keep
the community informed. When families
leave the area it is surprising how
often they return to see friends or to
rekindle memories of previous years,
something that can now be done via the
internet - and we are playing a small
part in seeing that happen.
Q. What do we make out of it?
A. Nothing in monetary terms! This is
something that has been asked of late -
sadly a reflection of modern times in
that it is assumed that everything must
be done for profit. The expenses
normally involved in running a website
are often met by various means -
advertising being the usual method!
(Though not in our case!). The only
thing we get out of this website is the
satisfaction of knowing that other
people are getting as much pleasure in
reading about the village and its
history as we are in compiling and
updating the information.
For those unaware on what's involved
here is brief synopsis on the procedure:
First, choose a domain name - i.e.
"weekstmaryvillage"
Second, choose a type of domain - i.e.
".co.uk" or ".com" or one of the many
others available.
Third, register your chosen name with a
'hosting provider' after having chosen a
'plan' (various plans allow a variety of
functions and larger amounts of web
storage space - but naturally, the price
goes up!)
We currently have to pay approx. £80 per
year to our hosting company which
includes their handling of our domain
name (they have to look after it even if
we have no storage space!). In addition
we have to pay Nominet (the web domain
name governing body) about £6 every 2
years by way of a Registration Fee. We
share these expenses in addition to the
untold number of hours spent
researching, discussing, chatting,
drinking tea and coffee, etc. and, more
importantly, actually creating and
maintaining the web pages which some of
you may notice is usually updated every
day or so and has been since we
started in December 2005. The
only major expense that we have shared
is that of the 2 webcams purchased -
quite expensive items!
To get back to advertising, we are more
than happy to advertise the various
village bodies, clubs, organisations and
businesses from in and around the
village with no thought of financial
reward. If, however, we are asked about
payment for any advertisement we always
say "There is no charge!", then add,
"But, if you wish to donate anything
then £1 per year will help to offset our
expenses. If you pay £5 then we will not
bother you again for as long as we are
in control of the website."
Q. What do we want people to do to help
us?
A. The existence of the website relies
heavily on being able to update the
appropriate pages, particularly the
Calendar of Events, to reflect an
accurate picture of life in the village.
We do not want people to forsake other
forms of advertising for their
functions, etc., but to remember that
there are those for whom a computer is,
or is becoming, part of the family scene
and would like to read about the
information on screen. (In fact some
have far more than one computer in the
house. Do you remember when only some
families had a car, now nearly everyone
has at least one vehicle with many
having two or more - computers are
following that pattern.)
The magazine is one example of two
technologies co-existing. The printed
version is perfect for many, whilst the
electronic version (on our website) is
perfect for those living away from the
village or for past reference when the
magazine has been mislaid or disposed
of. If residents have something that
would be of interest to those around
them, such as old photographs of bygone
days, or historical documents, then that
is the ideal type of content that could
be made available to all our 'readers'.
We must preserve our history and the
internet helps us to promote that
interest. So let's all pull in the same
direction.
Q. What is the future of the website?
A. Currently, our plan is to continue to
build up the historical sections as a
means of reference and education for
those in and around the village; for new
arrivals to the village; to enable those
departing the village to continue to
keep in contact with the local news and
events. We sincerely hope that other
sections of the website will also
continue to grow. In this digital age we
hope that a variety of photographs will
continue to give pleasure to all. Sadly,
there may be some who do not want
pictures of themselves shown on the
website under any circumstances -
perhaps they feel it is an intrusion of
privacy and we do respect that feeling.
We do not intentionally or purposely
identify any individual if to do so
would cause undue embarrassment or
invasion of privacy. We ask that you
respect our integrity in choosing such
pictures. We do feel that people make a
village and therefore a website without
people would be a very austere
representation of Week St. Mary!
As long as we are able (physically and
mentally) to continue to maintain this
website, we will do so. It is our small
way of giving something back to the
village that is, and has been, our
'home'. By the time we are unable to
keep up this work it would be hoped that
suitable new owners would have been
found. |
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