HOUSEHOLD REPORT

Population distribution by age and sex

The questionnaire was distributed in the villages of Appleton and Eaton in September 1994 and responses were collected from 196 households. 519 people lived in these households, representing 57% of the estimated 900 residents in the villages at that time. The results, therefore, give us a snapshot of the villages at that time.

The breakdown by age and sex of those who answered the questionnaire, is as follows:

* The Vale of White Horse figures shown are from the 1991 Census for comparison and have been adjusted to fit into the parameters of the Appraisal’s age distribution. The comparison clearly confirms one thing: that the Parish is home to the ‘Thirty something’ age group and, as you will see below, commuting managers. In fact, looking at the even more detailed analysis than that shown above, those in the age group 22-59 comprise more than half (51.8%) of the Appleton and Eaton respondents. This profile is not at all surprising given the high property values in the villages and confirms, should confirmation be necessary, why the Parish is so ‘highly favoured’ by estate agents. It is also interesting to note that percentages of those of both school age and pensionable age conform rather more with the overall figure for the Vale. The relatively high percentage of the Vale population falling within the 17-39 age group presumably reflects the high technology nature of the local businesses.

‘Lies, damned lies and statistics.’ Whilst statistics are important they do not comprise a community. Writing as a relative newcomer, who arrived on a Wednesday early in May 1989, 1 recall the immediate hospitality shown to my family and me and it confirmed that a community is more than the sum of its parts. One of the things that impressed us most was the support each sector of the community gave the others irrespective of age and activity. The geography of the villages helps, but, above all, there is the overriding feeling of a genuine community and this is to be applauded - and never taken for granted. Patrick Nutgens, an architect and town planner, concluded recently that a population of a thousand people comprises the ideal community: I believe that ours well and truly supports his conclusion.

John Woodford