(NB: Many of the questions asked called for more than one response, from each member of a household; hence some figures in the Report are greater than the number of respondents).

Only 19 of the 279 cars and 13 motor cycles used by the 169 households were normally parked on the roads.

Some 85% of people heard about happenings in Plymtree from the ‘Parish News’.

But 70% got to know by word of mouth.

And the notice boards in and opposite the Shop and notices on telegraph poles each worked for between 30 & 40%.

The FoPS newsletter alerted 25%.

But the notice boards at the School and Hall were much less used by people wanting to find out what’s on (13% & 4% respectively).

And 7 people (2%) said they "never hear anything".

Other suggestions:

The ‘Parish News’ was clearly the most effective means of letting villagers know about activities and events in Plymtree. But some respondents had suggestions for improving it (including a letters page, and more small ads), and others criticised its ‘over-emphasis’ on the Church. [This is, of course, a matter for those villagers who devote a great deal of their time to producing our ‘Parish News’].

The most popular outdoor activity was cycling, enjoyed by 136 (56%) of the 244 respondents to this section.

Next was tennis (74 or 30%), and then cricket (56 or 23%) and football (53 or 22%).

There was a wide variety of other sports listed, but none was ticked by 10% of respondents.

65 people (27%) named walking, running, golf, swimming or horse riding as their preferred outdoor sports. (None of these was specifically listed in the questionnaire).

While cricket and football are well provided for at the Recreation Ground, there was a clear demand for tennis facilities in the village.

The Millennium Group is investigating the availability of funding for a hard court, with facilities for tennis and other sports, on land behind the Parish Hall, being purchased by the Parish Hall and Recreation Ground Committee.

More active were the 62 people (25%) who play skittles, and the 50 (20%) who attend aerobics / keep-fit sessions.

Games requiring special equipment were popular, but can only be played within the village - and in limited form - at the Youth Club. 49 people (20%) play pool, another 35 (14%) play snooker, and a further 7 (3%) billiards. Table tennis is played by 36 (15%).

Badminton was the preferred sport of 40 people (16%).

A wide variety of other activities were mentioned, including darts, fencing, folk club, gymnastics of various kinds, tae-kwondo and judo, line-dancing, short-mat bowls, squash, theatricals, volleyball, yoga, and the existing village groups such as Brownies, W.I., gardening club, etc., but each was listed by less than 10 respondents.

This question was inserted

1. to ascertain interest in two possible new facilities for the village;
2. to stimulate interest in the Youth Club;
3. to seek fresh ideas for activities in the parish.

106 people responded, 69 of whom (65%) said they would want to use a Community Internet Facility at the School.

But only 32 (30%) would welcome a Drop-in Centre for young villagers. (That may actually be a good result, as there were only 55 young respondents in the 11-16 age group).

It is hoped that the 39 (37%) who would want to use the (existing) Youth Club will carry through their expressed intention.

There was a smattering of other suggestions, including aerobics, evening classes, a ‘book swap’, a ‘Community Club’, First Aid training, a judo club, a PC games club, table tennis club, and a swimming club.

In order to see if the service could be improved, it was asked if villagers would make more use of the Library if it were to visit on a different day, or at a different time, from the present ones [every other Friday, at 11am].

111 people responded positively to this question, but there was no concurrence as to a preferred day or time.

Some comments:

85 of 367 respondents (23%) would support such a Scheme (by which people would undertake work for other members for ‘credits’ with which they could ‘pay’ others for something they want doing), but 151 would definitely not be interested. 131 respondents were "Don’t knows".

Recommendation: Those villagers interested in setting up a LETS Scheme may be encouraged (by the 131 "Don’t knows") to get together to publicise the details of how such Schemes operate, as a possible first step to organising a LETS Scheme in Plymtree.

The questionnaire asked whether villagers would like to see some bench seats placed around the parish and, if so, where. 56% (202) of the 361 respondents were keen on this idea.

The most popular location for seats was the central area around the shop, pub and telephone exchange (26), followed by the Recreation Ground and Normans Green Cross (both 23).

There was also support for bench seats to be placed at viewpoints and high ground in the parish, the top of the Ridgeway (opposite Dixey Tancock’s bungalow) being specifically mentioned.

Other popular sites were the Churchyard, the foot of Green End Lane near the footpath, the Parish Hall, and Clyst William Cross.

Where the best views are, eg half way to Middle Clyst.

Recommendation: Given the enthusiastic response to this question, it is suggested that the Parish Council examine (in consultation with farmers, and perhaps the highways authority) the prospect of siting bench seats in various locations in the parish. Also to investigate methods of funding the purchase of bench seats.

268 respondents out of 374 (a massive 72%) answered in the affirmative to the question "Would you like to see attractive signs at the entrances to Plymtree?"

Some comments:

Recommendations: This response demands action and, given the artistic ability of many people in the parish (including the children), a competition to design an appropriate sign is likely to result in some stunning designs. A small group could set this up and perhaps have the results displayed and voted upon by villagers. The various means (and cost) of producing the signs will also need to be investigated - carved wood, cast metal or plastic, etc.

The Gardening Club may care to consider the idea of creating and maintaining a flower display of some kind beside some of the signs.

Of the 370 respondents to this section, 94 (25%) thought they were ‘Good’ while a further 193 (52%) found the facilities to be ‘Reasonable’, 13%, had no opinion.

Sadly 35 (10%) found them ‘Poor’ but it is possible that these respondents were unaware of the huge community effort which created the Recreation Ground only ten years ago. [The Hall & Recreation Ground Committee would like to invite all those dissatisfied with the facilities to attend Committee Meetings, as advertised in the Parish Magazine, when their constructive suggestions will be welcomed].

Answers to the question, "How could the Recreation Ground be improved?" were extremely varied: there were suggestions from 105 people, but only 11 were agreed on a single idea ("Ban dogs"). Some sort of shelter (from sudden showers) would be welcomed, as would tarmacing of the car park, perhaps with extra facilities for skate-boarding. The state of the steps down to the field caused some concern.

A power supply to the Pavilion, leading to the installation of showers, was on the wish-list of some, while others wanted a patio or verandah (which might provide the wanted shelter).

Waste and dog-poo bins would also be welcomed.

Recommendations: The Parish Hall and Recreation Ground Committee should consider all of the suggestions put forward, see which of them are practically possible, and take steps to implement any improvements so identified.

Facilities at the Play Area

Anyone visiting the Recreation Ground will see how well-used the Play Area is, and this was reflected in the fact that 364 people responded to this section. 44% (159) thought the facilities were ‘Reasonable’, and 29% (105) ‘Good’, while 7% (26) believed them to be ‘Poor’.

Again there were many suggestions for improving this Area. As to equipment, the slide (which was removed in 1998 because the wood surface had become dangerously splintered) was greatly missed. [it is being repaired, and will be back on site shortly]. The general comments asking for "more" or "better" equipment, although supportive, were not sufficiently detailed to act upon, but other respondents made specific suggestions. Some wants were a roundabout, bigger climbing equipment, monkey bars, a see-saw and "springy things".

There were a number of comments about the lack of maintenance of the Area, including the amount of rubbish there and the grass not being cut often enough. Some would like a shelter, others a picnic table, and three would like the area enlarged. The banning of dogs, and self-closing gates to keep them out, and the provision of facilities to remove and dispose of dog mess, was also proposed.

Some comments:

Improve maintenance rather than letting it fall into disrepair.