Organiser Feedback

Every year, after the September event we gather comments from our organisers and post a representative selection on this page.

Organiser Feedback 2007

“Well we all went home exhausted but my goodness, it was all worthwhile. It was a very hectic weekend but there was a wonderful atmosphere of enthusiasm and camaraderie”
Sarah Summers, Town Clerk, Stratford-upon -Avon.

“We loved all activities, enjoyed being together and visiting other faith buildings – enhanced our understanding brought us closer – should be happening more often”
Balbir Singh, Dashmesh Sikh Temple, part of the Cheetham Festival which runs over HODs, Greater Manchester

“We learnt a lot about what improvements we could make next year in terms of planning, activities for the days, reporting processes and marketing. We will certainly try to apply much earlier in 2008 in order to have time to run the process more efficiently.” Penny Codd, Sts Thomas, PCC of Newport Parish Church, Isle of Wight

“Extremely positive and a lot of support for our project and goodwill for our bid to Heritage Lottery Fund. Many commented on the warm and friendly reception received.” Jeannie Clough, Project Officer, The Temple Centre Project, Nottinghamshire

“Positive – very appreciative. Many requests for repeat visits.” Paul Wildgoose, Thornbury & District Heritage Trust, South Gloucestershire

“All very interested in church buildings and history or the church. Some spent over 3 hours researching family history. Some travelled over 30 miles.” Peter Walker, Moravian Church, Lower Wyke, West Yorkshire

“We feel that our HODs were a great success. As you know it was our first attempt but the comments have been very gratifying. There was a great deal of interaction between our visitors and the members of our team. Many visitors were re-living old memories, some seeking information about families, and there was much general interest shown. Our organising group consisted of six people, three of whom have been coming to this church literally all their lives, and so have a great deal of local knowledge about Clifton and its families. They knew what they were talking about, it has been their life. We are all tired but happy!” Mr R. Harpin, Clifton Methodist Church, Towngate, Clifton, West Yorkshire

“Very good response this year. Several people said that it was a great taster and they would return to have a longer visit.” Simone Clark/Helen Arbon, Corinium Museum, Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire.

“We enjoy the newsletter, balloons are very useful for attracting attention – could we have more?” Mary Pryle, St Katherine’s Church, Blackrod, Lancashire/Greater Manchester (On the border!)

“The bright pink banner was very good displayed on the church railings, with balloons added on the day itself. Civic Trust very helpful when phoning for advice from the office” Gwen Knight, Bath Road Church, Swindon, Wiltshire

“The workshop was useful. The banner from 2006 proved to be a good thing as it caught the immediate attention of passers by who commented on it.” Eric Raymond Armbrister, St Mary the Virgin, Old Seaham, Durham

“You provided much helpful material and publicity. It is up to us to try and make more use of it in the future.” R. A. Leake, The Bosworth Society (The Forge, Market Bosworth and Heritage of Bosworth Walks), Leicestershire

“Logos on the website really useful, and visitors book pages.” Erica Wylie, Thomas Plume’s Library, Essex

“The nature and format of the printed posters was excellent and the ‘H’ entry posters were eye-catching. Balloons were much in evidence too.” Christopher Wheatley, East Grinstead Society, West Sussex

“It would be good to know a bit more about the other participating venues.”Jill Shonk, Gloucestershire Archives

“I think it should just be used by places that are not generally open to the public or have something extra to offer – otherwise too much in the mix.” Megan Doole, Hawkshead and Beatrix Potter Gallery (National Trust),

“We had a lot of comments that the website directory is not accessible to all and that people would welcome the return of a paper copy.” Gemma Stancey, Heritage Inspired, South Yorkshire

“Comments from visitors that it wasn’t easy to find out about all the events in the area if you weren’t able to visit the website.” Kathryn Kirk, Leeds Library and Information Service, West Yorkshire

“The Website was very slow to use. It took a long time to check each individual event and then go back to the main list. Not enough regional material for those not on the internet.” Beth Addis, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust (Saltburn Mortury), Tees Valley

“Visitor feedback opinion forms – far too many questions – few were interesting in completing.” Graham Bennett, Ventor Heritage Museum, Isle of Wight.

“The National Highlights leaflets were distributed around places of potential interest, e.g. hotels etc, and it was very interesting to watch people as they looked at it. From the cover there was an immediate initial reaction of interest, however, on opening, the interest waned and then the leaflet went into the bin. I think that the leaflet should be either regional or area focused; the numbers for printing could be obtained from the registration information. For cost, it might be easier to have a ‘one size fits all’ leaflet, but for the generation of potential awareness and interest it is too general and too remote.”
Myrna Lewis, St Mary’s Church, Old Basing and Lychpit, Hampshire

“Experienced difficulty at first with registering online, but managed at later date.” Sheila Dixon, The Bowes Museum, County Durham

The Heritage Open Days team would like to invite comments from organisers about Heritage Open Days in general, special projects they have set up as part of the event, and their experiences as organisers. Please email us hods[at]civictrust.org.uk your comments, ideas and experiences. A selection of your comments will be posted on this website to share with other organisers.