onionbagblog

And so after a relatively short settling in period, I’m proud to be launching today the Wivenhoe Forum - hurrah!

Having made the Great Escape from South London some three months ago, the plan was always try and set up some form of online dialogue in Wivenhoe.

But where to start?

There is a need to be respectful to the existing informal network of local organisations and groups, as well as the wider great historical legacy of this town. My time in Wivenhoe to date is not even a tick on the wider timeline. But you need to start somewhere.

The excellent Wivenhoe Encyclopaedia serves the local community superbly. It has certainly been my online guiding tool as I find my feet in my new community.

Looking around at the many varied events, interests and businesses in Wivenhoe, and what I feel may benefit the community is an online space where conversation and cooperation can be shared. Hopefully this is a two way process. Experience has taught me that online / offline cooperation is crucial for genuine community benefits to emerge out of any online activity.

I’ve really no idea what to expect. The Wivenhoe Forum may prove to be a genuine source of local dialogue. It may also simply lay dormant until the domain name expires.

What I do know however is that personally, I am all about the hyperlocal. You need to work with the people around you if you want to genuinely make the place where you live a better environment for all. I’ve started a few threads already, talking to myself as per normal. It really would be lovely if you came along and joined the conversation.

I did ponder the idea of incorporating the forum as part of m’blog. But I work better as m’blog being totally independent where I can write my views about what I think. For the Wivenhoe Forum to work, it needs to be a place that can express all views within the community.

I don’t really want the forum to become a free source of advertising. I accept however that the local economy is crucial to the continued development of the town. Therefore I have set up a board especially for local business. If it gets too spammy, then I may have to moderate.

Ah yes - moderation…

The forum will be post-modded. This means that for now, anything can be posted up live, but will be subject to moderation. As the owner of the Forum, this makes me liable for any nasty legal nonsense that may result from a posting.

I really hope that the moderation will be of a light touch. This is a place to discuss and debate, but more importantly, a place for dialogue. I genuinely hope that conversations taking place will continue around the town offline.

The basic set up is shamelessly cloned around the wonderful East Dulwich Forum. My time in South London has shown me how this model has managed to engage this particular local community. If there are any Wivenhoe specific boards that you feel need to be set up, then please let me know.

Enough waffle. It’s rather quiet over there. Please do come and join the conversation…

Heads up @madebysplendid for help with the design.

•