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    #1

    Neighbourhood Whats App groups

    I belong to our local Facebook group for the village. This is a big village more like a small town.
    The group can be useful and informative but also has some idiots posting. I think they need better Admin!

    I was thinking of starting a more local Whats App group just for our street. With the 2 small cul de sacs which are part of the street it is around a hundred houses in total. Many people won't want or be able to join so it would be a manageable number for a group.

    I think Daisy belongs to a similar group?
    Does anyone else, how do you find the experience of belonging to one, approximately how many people belong to the group???
    So many questions!

    “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown
    Tags: None
    #2
    As far as i know,we haven't got a local Whats App group for our area or street.
    Sometimes I forget to like posts,but that doesn't mean I don't like them.

    Comment

      #3
      I’m not sure we have either.
      Im not fat just 6ft too small

      Comment

        #4
        You're right, Gem. In fact we started with one WA group, but now a couple of new ones have opened on the back of that to make it more manageable.

        Our original group comprised our road (over 100 houses) and several smaller roads off it or close by. We made the mistake of using a name which gave our location, and being a holiday area we were inundated with people looking for things like holiday accommodation, the best pub, etc. So we changed it to a non-specific name. Then came the fibre optic saga, which related specifically to our part of the village, so we opened a new one to discuss that. We've just started another temporary one to discuss the current hot topic of a planning application to close a public footpath, also very local to our part of the village.

        There is also a little WA group just for our cul de sac - 10 houses. Not used a lot, but can be useful.

        If you're going to do it I'm sure it will be a really useful facility, but if your village is quite large you might want to restrict it to a local area. You can always expand the scope if there's a need. Have several admins, otherwise it can become very time consuming and set your boundaries about what can be discussed and a reminder to 'play nicely'.

        We've had very few instances of inappropriate behaviour - rudeness, sarcasm, finger pointing, etc.

        It's a really useful community, helping with security, lost pets, road works/closures, people offering items of furniture for free or modest prices, tickets for events which the owner can't attend, minor building needs, recommendation for trades people, and much more.

        Let me know if I can help in any way.
        "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

        (Marianne Williamson)
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          #5
          Daisy I just want it to be for our road, so approximately 100 houses .

          I will look into this after my holiday ( and yours) and thank you I will definitely appreciate your help!
          “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown
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            #6
            Gem, yes, about 100 houses is manageable, and our group mostly manages itself. Not everyone has joined, and not everyone uses WA but members often post on behalf of neighbours, especially for lost cats! I'd be pleased to help if I can.
            "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

            (Marianne Williamson)
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              #7
              I talked to DD3 today as she set up a WA group for their street during Lockdown.
              They have since moved away so don't use that any more .
              The main thing I was puzzled about was how to enable people to join, when I will be inviting them via a note through the door. I have no problem with compiling the notes or posting them through letterboxes, it was how to join them which stumped me as I don't want to put my mobile number on the letters.
              DD said she put an email for interested people to mail her their phone numbers to be added to the group that way.

              A good idea and one I will use. I have a Gmail address I almost never use, so can give that one out. Or I could make a new email address specifically for this.

              “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown

              Comment

                #8
                Gem, it would probably be best to have a totally separate email address, for both security and convenience. I can't remember how to add people to our group (although I'm an Admin because I was one of the first to join). I'll check and let you know.

                "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

                (Marianne Williamson)
                • Likes 1

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                  #9
                  I am finally doing this!

                  I have created the group, which has at present four members. Myself, OH and the couple next door.
                  I have created an email address specifically for this, which is what I have put on the letters to go through doors.

                  I have compiled the letter explaining about the group and inviting people to join. I will have another look at it today then print and deliver these.
                  “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown
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                    #10
                    I have finalised the letters and printed them today.

                    I will post them through letterboxes during the week.
                    I have complied a Welcome email to send in response to people wanting to join, including the basic rules.

                    It is several weeks until we go on holiday so I will be around to set it up and iron out any initial problems.
                    “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown
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                      #11
                      Gem, I'm sure it's something your neighbours will find really useful.

                      Our village WhaatsApp groups have now come together as a community. There are about 7 separate groups under the village umbrella, covering recommendations for tradespeople/services, a borrow/lend or give away group, one for volunteering opportunities, one about the issues of flooding in parts of the village, protecting local footpaths and other local issues. You can belong to any or all of them and can leave at any time, and together it seems to be helping to get things done in the village. We've kept our local road one separate. It's all working really well and is very useful.

                      Good luck with yours - I do hope as many as possible join because that makes it so worthwhile.
                      "Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognise how good things really are. "

                      (Marianne Williamson)
                      • Likes 1

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                        #12
                        Well done Gemini. We have a wonderful street group and as our street is relatively long -122 houses, some of which are now two flats - there are lots of members. It’s a truly supportive and helpful group and has never become contentious. The obvious issues are discussed, parking, bins of course, local events, free stuff given away, local news and campaigns.

                        But as well as that we organise street parties, our next one is VE Day when the central part of the street will be closed and everyone takes part. The oldest residents, Iris 96 and June 92 will judge the fancy dress competition and we’re all baking and planning like
                        mad.

                        We have regular quiz nights at the local church hall at the end of the street as well as Yoga groups, Cubs and Brownies and we’re fortunate to have some very talented musicians who live here who organise concerts at the church as well. And we collect for the Food Bank.

                        The once neglected church grounds are now a most wonderful Garden of Reflection which won Greenwich community garden of the year. Under the direction of three talented gardeners we all helped with clearing, planting and tending, a real community effort.

                        And, there is a an amazing family, one of whom is an artist, who every year at Christmas and Easter dress as Santa and elves complete with a reindeer, or as two Easter Bunnies and on Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday they bring gifts to every child on the street. The excitement is extraordinary.

                        In many ways it’s like a village in itself, but everyone knows that London is just lots of villages that happen to have joined up. We have fourteen different nationalities living here and they have brought so many gifts and talents to the street community.

                        So good luck, I’m sure it will be successful and valued and bring the community together.
                        Last edited by Sum1Ls; 22-04-2025, 06:26 AM.
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                          #13
                          Sum1, thank you for that.
                          Your street group sounds wonderful

                          It has occurred to me that I can also use the group to promote library news and events! It is on the other side of the village and not everyone over here is aware.

                          Your street group would make a good story!
                          “A grandchild fills a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.” – Unknown
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                            #14
                            Originally posted by Gemini View Post
                            Sum1, thank you for that.
                            Your street group sounds wonderful

                            It has occurred to me that I can also use the group to promote library news and events! It is on the other side of the village and not everyone over here is aware.

                            Your street group would make a good story!
                            It would! Yes, book groups flourish too so library news would be of interest to many. And, I imagine things like plant swaps, list of trusted traders and warnings of scams as, all of which we do as well.
                            • Likes 2

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                              #15
                              I. Live in a very well supported village and a very active village hall with very good managers. I can’t say our road is very active, they keep themselves to themselves. Your neighbours sound amazing Sum1Ls
                              What is life if full of care we have no time to stand and stare

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