Our latest newsletter - any comments?

[Squash64]

If anyone is interested, there is a copy of our latest newsletter at the bottom of this page -

http://www.growit.ik.com/p_homenew.ikml

I'd love to know what people think of it because I get very little feedback from plotholders.  They all get a copy, either by hand or posted to the ones who aren't coming to the site at the moment.

Constructive criticism welcomed.

[Squash64]

[glosterwomble]

I'm VERY impressed!! I love the website and I think the newsletter is brilliant! I think it's very important to keep in touch with plotholders and build a community, it must be a bit disheartening if you don't get much feedback about the newsletters but you are doing a FAB job and I'm sure they appreciate you!

[saddad]

Excellent as always Betty...  :)

[InfraDig]

That's brilliant! Well done!

[Unwashed]

Indeed, very impressive. Obviously a very active site with a lot of involved people.

[Sparkly]

Love your website Betty. We have a seasonal newsletter so ours is quite a bit longer than yours. We also put in an idea of what you should be doing (total basics) for newbies and the odd article written by members.

[caroline7758]

looks great to me- I wish I was on a bigger site with a bit more community spirit.

[JustGrowIt]

It's a really lovely newsletter, clear and straight to the point. I'm interested in the "BEES on the ALLOTMENTS" talk on SUNDAY 14th FEBRUARY at 11:00.

Can anybody come to the talk?  ;D

[Squash64]

Thank you all so much for your really kind comments about the newsletter.   :) 

Sparkly - that's a good idea about the info for newbies and also the article by a member.  Our newsletter is usually 2 sides of A4 but I only had a day to get this one together so it could be given out in time for everyone to know about the bee meeting.  I will use your ideas for the next one, thanks  :)
How do you distribute yours?  I've just given out about 60 by hand and will have to post the other 50.

JustGrowIt - Yes, anyone can come to the bee talk, hopefully we will get a good crowd.  Welcome to A4A by the way!

[grawrc]

Great newsletter Betty! Clear, informative and uncluttered. Wish mine were that good! ;D

[lavenderlux]

Betty - that's a great newsletter.  We issue a newsletter 4 times a year and where possible we email it, otherwise its hand delivered. 

[Trevor_D]

Looks good Betty.

We have four a year (double-sided A4) during the growing season which are e-mailed where possible (about two-thirds of the members), otherwise hand-delivered. Then a fifth one gets posted just after Christmas, together with the notice of the AGM (in early February) and the bill for the year.

[gwynnethmary]

Very good!  And I LOVE your website!   It looks like a very happy place to be.

[emmy1978]

Wow! Your website is fantastic and your newsletter is lovely and friendly and warm. Looks great too. Please may I come to the Cream Tea?   ;D  MacMillan is very close to my heart and I promise to come laden down with plants for you!!

[Squash64]

Thanks everyone for the very kind remarks about the newsletter and website.  :)

Wow! Your website is fantastic and your newsletter is lovely and friendly and warm. Looks great too. Please may I come to the Cream Tea?   ;D  MacMillan is very close to my heart and I promise to come laden down with plants for you!!

Emmy - of course you can come to the Cream Tea, it would be lovely to see you!  I'll put a reminder out nearer the time.  (thanks for the offer of plants, I appreciate it)

[Sparkly]

Thank you all so much for your really kind comments about the newsletter.   :) 

Sparkly - that's a good idea about the info for newbies and also the article by a member.  Our newsletter is usually 2 sides of A4 but I only had a day to get this one together so it could be given out in time for everyone to know about the bee meeting.  I will use your ideas for the next one, thanks  :)
How do you distribute yours?  I've just given out about 60 by hand and will have to post the other 50.

JustGrowIt - Yes, anyone can come to the bee talk, hopefully we will get a good crowd.  Welcome to A4A by the way!

Our newletter is delivered by hand, but we have a smaller site than you (60ish plots).

[Digeroo]

I think your website is very impressive.  I would like to have one for our site and this is a great inspiration.

[Squash64]

I think your website is very impressive.  I would like to have one for our site and this is a great inspiration.

Thank you  :)
I use a very easy website builder http://www.communitykit.co.uk which is free for community groups.

[Bill Door]

Well done for getting the newsletter out and being involved.

Just a thought, most of us like being told but occasionally we all like to feel we can have a say.

I wonder if a section asking for input from the plotholders about the site might not help with feedback.

If I look at the newsletter critically then I get the impression that everything has been well organised and I, as a reader, don't need to join in. 

You say with the bees the place they are going has been decided.  You may not be able to change it anyway but probably asking for suggestions might be a good idea.

I am not suggesting this for every section but just one to begin with.

Obviously this is based on one newsletter and you may have done this previously.


Best wishes with the newsletter and the web site, very neat.

regards Bill.

[Squash64]

Thank you for your comments Bill.

I can see how it must come across, that everything is already decided and all people have to do is join in or not.  (I love being the secretary but perhaps my naturally bossy nature takes over sometimes.  ::))

It's a good idea to ask for feedback, I will add a tear-off bit to the next newsletter.