Halsway Manor Development Proposals PUBLIC SURVEY

About this survey

Please read before completing the survey.

This survey invites responses from anyone wishing to comment on Halsway Manor's development proposals. If you are a member of the Halsway Manor Society, or a regular visitor, and have responded to the members and regular visitors survey, please also complete this survey which asks different questions.

ABOUT US

Halsway Manor is a charity that runs a national centre for the folk arts in a historic manor house in West Somerset. We are a creative organisation that runs a year-round programme of residential courses, classes, events and activities for people to learn about traditional folk dance, music, song, folklore/storytelling and related arts and crafts - particularly (but not exclusively) those found in England. We have a rich folk and cultural heritage and we help people learn about and celebrate it. We aim to be inclusive of all ages and abilities. For example, we recently launched a development programme for young people, schools and teachers.

You can find out more about us at www.halswaymanor.org.uk

OUR AIMS

Halsway Manor is a unique old manor house with 6 acres of grounds. After nearly 50 years of activity as a charity our facilities need improving. In October 2012, the Board of Trustees set out broad proposals to make improvements to the facilities to enable us to better meet our charitable aims and objectives in the future :

• To promote the traditional folk arts.
• To support the practice of traditional folk music song, dance and other traditional folk arts found in England.
• To preserve and share information and material on other folk arts and traditions.
• To conserve, maintain and develop the Halsway Manor estate.

We believe that it is important to preserve the unique atmosphere of Halsway Manor while improving the facilities for current and future users. To achieve this we propose a capital development plan to improve the facilities over the next few years.

Halsway Manor is Listed as Grade 2* by English Heritage and the Society has a statutory responsibility to the national heritage for its conservation and upkeep. Conservation and repair will, therefore, be a high priority within the development proposals.

WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU

The aim of our plan is to attract more people - of all ages and abilities - to participate in the folk arts. Please tell us about your interests and how you think we can best meet our aims.

If you have any queries or want to discuss any aspect of the proposals please contact me.

Many thanks,

Paul James
Chief Executive

Halsway Manor
Halsway Lane
near Crowcombe
Somerset TA4 4BD

01984 618274
office@halswaymanor.org.uk

Halsway Manor Society is a registered Charity No: 247230
Company limited by Guarantee No: 849615

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* 1. Please tell us something about yourself.

I participate in folk arts courses, classes, workshops, events, activities.

I attend folk concerts and exhibitions.

I am a folk arts practitioner (music, dance, song, storytelling, folklore, arts, crafts).

I am an arts practitioner (music, dance, song, theatre, arts, crafts, other) not mainly involved in the folk arts.

I am a teacher / work in a school or other place of learning or training.

I am a member of a club, group, society or organisation involved in folk arts.

I have visited Halsway Manor before.

I haven't visited Halsway Manor before.

Your name or name of organisation (optional)

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* 2. Do you have a particular interest in any of the following .

Traditional folk music and song.

Folk dance (for example, social dance, country dancing, ceilidhs, historical dance).

Ritual dance / performance (for example, morris, rapper, sword, clog, molly, broom dancing, mummers).

Folklore and storytelling.

Traditional arts and crafts.

Musical instrument making and repair.

Other.

Tell us more about your interests

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* 3. Do you already go to folk arts (music, song, dance, storytelling, other) learning/participatory courses, workshops, classes, activities ?

Yes, at least once a month.

Yes, several times a year.

Yes, at least once a year.

Yes, at least every two years.

Very rarely.

Never.

Where ?

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* 4. Why do you attend these events ?

Develop existing skills and interests.

Develop new skills and interests.

To develop social skills and confidence.

Meet like minded people.

Make friends.

Be physically and mentally active.

Challenge myself / try out new things.

What do you most enjoy about attending residential courses, classes, activities ..

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* 5. If you think that it is important that people can learn more about their folk and cultural traditions please say why.

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* 6. What folk arts activities (folk courses, workshops, classes, events, activities) would you like to see in the future at Halsway Manor – for yourself, people you know and for the next generation ?

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* 7. If you attend any sort of learning course, class, event or activity (not just folk arts events) - which of the following are more or less important to you ? If this doesn't apply to you, please skip to the next question.

	Most important	Important	Less important	Not important
The quality of the course leader / practitioners involved.	The quality of the course leader / practitioners involved. Most important	The quality of the course leader / practitioners involved. Important	The quality of the course leader / practitioners involved. Less important	The quality of the course leader / practitioners involved. Not important
The aims and content of the course.	The aims and content of the course. Most important	The aims and content of the course. Important	The aims and content of the course. Less important	The aims and content of the course. Not important
Price (value for money)	Price (value for money) Most important	Price (value for money) Important	Price (value for money) Less important	Price (value for money) Not important
Quality of the facilities and equipment at the venue.	Quality of the facilities and equipment at the venue. Most important	Quality of the facilities and equipment at the venue. Important	Quality of the facilities and equipment at the venue. Less important	Quality of the facilities and equipment at the venue. Not important
Geographical location / travel.	Geographical location / travel. Most important	Geographical location / travel. Important	Geographical location / travel. Less important	Geographical location / travel. Not important
Food (quality and choice).	Food (quality and choice). Most important	Food (quality and choice). Important	Food (quality and choice). Less important	Food (quality and choice). Not important

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* 8. We are planning to improve the learning and performance facilities at Halsway Manor. Which of the following are more or less important to you ? (Please note that physical access to all facilities, conservation and repair of the the Grade 2* Listed manor house and environmental responsibility are at the heart of our plans.)

	Most important	Important	Less important	Not important
A high quality venue for performances (dance, music, other).	A high quality venue for performances (dance, music, other). Most important	A high quality venue for performances (dance, music, other). Important	A high quality venue for performances (dance, music, other). Less important	A high quality venue for performances (dance, music, other). Not important
Workshops for arts and crafts courses.	Workshops for arts and crafts courses. Most important	Workshops for arts and crafts courses. Important	Workshops for arts and crafts courses. Less important	Workshops for arts and crafts courses. Not important
Dedicated spaces for teaching and learning.	Dedicated spaces for teaching and learning. Most important	Dedicated spaces for teaching and learning. Important	Dedicated spaces for teaching and learning. Less important	Dedicated spaces for teaching and learning. Not important
A Library and Learning Centre housing our folk library and archive.	A Library and Learning Centre housing our folk library and archive. Most important	A Library and Learning Centre housing our folk library and archive. Important	A Library and Learning Centre housing our folk library and archive. Less important	A Library and Learning Centre housing our folk library and archive. Not important
Improved access to the library and learning resources via the internet.	Improved access to the library and learning resources via the internet. Most important	Improved access to the library and learning resources via the internet. Important	Improved access to the library and learning resources via the internet. Less important	Improved access to the library and learning resources via the internet. Not important

Comment

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* 9. Overnight accommodation for courses, events and activities. Which of the following are more or less important to you?

	Most important	Important	Less important	Not important
A range of bedroom accommodation options and prices.	A range of bedroom accommodation options and prices. Most important	A range of bedroom accommodation options and prices. Important	A range of bedroom accommodation options and prices. Less important	A range of bedroom accommodation options and prices. Not important
Good quality single and double bedrooms with ensuite bathroom facilities.	Good quality single and double bedrooms with ensuite bathroom facilities. Most important	Good quality single and double bedrooms with ensuite bathroom facilities. Important	Good quality single and double bedrooms with ensuite bathroom facilities. Less important	Good quality single and double bedrooms with ensuite bathroom facilities. Not important
Bedrooms suitable for groups (for example, families or school groups).	Bedrooms suitable for groups (for example, families or school groups). Most important	Bedrooms suitable for groups (for example, families or school groups). Important	Bedrooms suitable for groups (for example, families or school groups). Less important	Bedrooms suitable for groups (for example, families or school groups). Not important
Camping in the grounds.	Camping in the grounds. Most important	Camping in the grounds. Important	Camping in the grounds. Less important	Camping in the grounds. Not important
Indoor camping in bad weather.	Indoor camping in bad weather. Most important	Indoor camping in bad weather. Important	Indoor camping in bad weather. Less important	Indoor camping in bad weather. Not important
Options for day visitors (non residential / not staying overnight)	Options for day visitors (non residential / not staying overnight) Most important	Options for day visitors (non residential / not staying overnight) Important	Options for day visitors (non residential / not staying overnight) Less important	Options for day visitors (non residential / not staying overnight) Not important

Comment

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* 10. Cost. Which of the following are more or less important to you?

	Most important	Important	Less important	Not important
A range of price options (for example, for different accommodation choices from single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms to camping in the grounds).	A range of price options (for example, for different accommodation choices from single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms to camping in the grounds). Most important	A range of price options (for example, for different accommodation choices from single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms to camping in the grounds). Important	A range of price options (for example, for different accommodation choices from single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms to camping in the grounds). Less important	A range of price options (for example, for different accommodation choices from single bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms to camping in the grounds). Not important
Discounts for attending more than one event in a year.	Discounts for attending more than one event in a year. Most important	Discounts for attending more than one event in a year. Important	Discounts for attending more than one event in a year. Less important	Discounts for attending more than one event in a year. Not important
Discounts for families and group bookings.	Discounts for families and group bookings. Most important	Discounts for families and group bookings. Important	Discounts for families and group bookings. Less important	Discounts for families and group bookings. Not important
Bursaries (free or subsidised places on courses) to improve access for young people.	Bursaries (free or subsidised places on courses) to improve access for young people. Most important	Bursaries (free or subsidised places on courses) to improve access for young people. Important	Bursaries (free or subsidised places on courses) to improve access for young people. Less important	Bursaries (free or subsidised places on courses) to improve access for young people. Not important

Comment

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* 11. Travel. Halsway Manor is in a rural location in West Somerset, 20 minutes from the M5 motorway. There is a good mainline train service from Taunton and a regular bus service from Taunton that stops 5 minutes walk from the manor. Tell us how you would choose to travel here.

I usually travel by car.

I use public transport where possible.

I would be prepared to car share to reduce costs and/or to help others.

If Halsway Manor had a car/lift share scheme I would join it.

I would support a request by Halsway Manor to the local authority and bus service to improve the lighting and pavement at the bus stop facilities nearest the Manor.

Comment

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* 12. Please give us your view about our role, who we should be working with and where we can add value to other organisations and projects.
Halsway Manor is one of a number of organisations promoting the folk arts in different ways. Our aim is to work collaboratively with these organisations wherever possible and particularly where we can all achieve more by doing so. Primarily we are a venue for folk arts courses, events and activities. We are also developing as a folk arts development organisation to provide outreach (for example, with schools locally), information, advice and guidance (for example, through our course leaders and practitioners who work with us regularly) and through our library collection and archive (for example, for research purposes).

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* 13. Any other comments or ideas ?

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* 14. Do you want us to keep you informed about progress with our development proposals ?

YES

Email address