STILTON VILLAGE APPRAISAL 1999

PART 2: VILLAGE APPRAISAL
4. FACILITIES AND LEISURE

Purpose: to find out what existing facilities and services are used by villagers, what facilities might be used if provided, what hinders the use of facilities.
Issues: provision of facilities and services in rural areas, future needs of the village

KEY FINDINGS
Most people use village shops on a regular basis.
There is strong interest in Sports & Keep Fit classes, computing classes, badminton, tennis, gardening, rambling and crafts.
62% of respondents do not partake in leisure activities because they don't want to.
Facilities for the 11-24 year age group are regarded by a majority of respondents as 'Poor'.
The church is regarded as an important historic building by 69% of respondents.
92% of respondents believe that Stilton needs a new community building.
4.1 Virtually everyone - 74% - uses the local shops on a regular basis (Q36), whilst only 2% of respondents never use them. The Post Office is used by the majority of respondents (76%), but not as frequently as the shops, and only 9% [91] never use it. Of those who use the Post Office, the majority - 93% [754] - use it for postal services, with 25% [207] using it for pensions and/or allowances. The Garden Centre is supported by 64% [666] of respondents on a less regular basis. The remaining shops and services are less well supported.

Stilton : shops and services - frequency of use

4.2 There were three notable clubs/activities which respondents would attend if provided (Q44) : gardening 32% [127], rambling 31%  [126] and crafts 30% [120]. Drama and bingo were each chosen by 16% [65] of respondents and 10% [39] or fewer selected the remaining clubs/activities. Of the 14% [57] of respondents who noted interest in other clubs/activities, the most popular was keep fit.

Stilton : Clubs, Activities and Sports

4.3 When it comes to sports (Q40), given the opportunity, 49% [226] of respondents would attend a badminton club, 33% [155] tennis, with around 20% [95] showing interest in outdoor bowls, squash and yoga. Netball, hockey, volleyball, judo and skittles all received some interest. Of the 20% [95] of respondents who would choose other sports activities, gymnastics were the most popular choice - 30% - with swimming, basketball, keep fit and dancing all named as other options.
4.4 Respondents to (Q27) were clearly interested in the possibility of taking up adult education classes in sports and keep fit - 59% [318], computing 45% [246], arts and crafts 38% [207] and languages 26% [141]. Only 7% [38] showed interest in the sciences. The 10% [53] of respondents who indicated that they would be interested in other activities listed music, cookery, yoga, dancing and alternative health therapies.
4.5 Suprisingly low numbers of respondents use local sports and leisure facilities. Only 10% [98] (Q38) use Sawtry Leisure Centre on a weekly basis. All other facilities are used less frequently, whilst large numbers of respondents never use these facilities. The majority of those who responded to (Q39) -62% [356] - said that they did not take part in any leisure activities because the did not want to.

4.6 Up to age 11 the majority of those with an opinion felt that social facilities were good or reasonable (Q46). A significant number of respondents felt that social facilities for those aged 11-24 were poor. People are generally more satisfied that facilities are good or reasonable for those aged 25 and over.

Stilton : Facility assessment by age band

4.7 Significant numbers of respondents felt that the village church is important to them (Q57) with 69% [538] valuing the church as an historic building and 30-50% using the church for various religious services.

Stilton : St.Michael's Church
4.8 A staggering 92% of respondents said that Stilton needs a new community building (Q48).

Click HERE to return to the Menu / Contents Page

/Fac/index.html  Last updated 10-8-2004