FOREWORD

In the early 1990s a “Village Appraisal” questionnaire was circulated around the villages of Appleton and Eaton. The Appraisal sought opinions and facts on a number of issues and 196 households, representing over half the population of the two villages responded. For a number of reasons the Appraisal Committee did not complete the task of the analysis until 1998.

The Appleton-with-Eaton Village Appraisal included 76 questions under the following headings: -

• Household Report
  • People
  • Housing
  • General Household matters
• Education and Further Education
• Employment
• Local Countryside and Environment and other services
• Health and Social Services
• Retail Services and other facilities
• Sport, Social and Entertainment
• Transport and Highways
• Information and Communications
• Religion

We are very grateful to the following, without whom this document would not have been produced: -

• A generous donation from Brian White of Whites of Appleton Bell hangers, which enabled the purchase of the computer software required to process and analyse the answers.
• Mr Graham Rose and a very willing team of volunteers, and Mrs Iris Graham and Miss Margaret Reading, who took note of all the individual comments made by respondents.
• A tremendous number of hours put in by the late Mrs Wendy Smith who processed information into her computer and then printed and assembled the copies.
• Encouragement from Miss Critchley-Salmonson of ORCC who urged us on at a time when our enthusiasm was beginning to flag.

This appraisal sought to highlight our assets at that time and give us a springboard for discussing improvements and action in the areas where weaknesses have been revealed and which need to be addressed. We acknowledge that some aspects have changed over the period since the questionnaire was answered. But it does give us a footprint of information about the villages and opinions that were held then and some opinions, which are still held because the root of the opinion has not changed.

The detail in this document is a good source of information about the villages and we will give copies to those who move into the village as a welcome into the community.

We trust that you will find this document interesting and informative. We appreciate that it is not all embracing, but it does give a flavour of our special villages and forms a basis upon which we can try to make changes that you support.

The Parish Council would like to thank all those who have contributed articles and information for this Parish Appraisal.

In July 2002 the village was delighted to learn of the award made by the NFU to Margaret Reading of “Country Person of the Year 2002”. In her citation references were made to Margaret’s many activities in the parish – including Parish Council Chairman, involvement with the Community Shop and her work with the elderly and those in hospital.

As changes occur and new events happen, the Parish Appraisal will be updated