Tally
counters were in
use at the
three entrances between noon and 5pm. However most
stewards were
patrolling rather than being at an entrance, and only at one entrance
did the stewards reliably count the visitors. They counted 1167
entries. Last year 784 came that way. So we estimate this year's
attendance at 3000, last year's being 2000. Visitor feedback forms
were available from information points or enclosed in the programme.
They were mainly filled in by prompting from an interviewer, but many
were 'unsolicited'. 62 forms (64 in 2005) were returned, representing
180 people, 6% of the total attendance. Totals do not sum to 3000
because of rounding errors. It is unlikely that the figures are
reliable beyond the first significant digit, if that.
Sex
year
sample
male
female
2005
212
840
(42%)
1200
(58%)
2006
180
1100
(38%)
1800
(62%)
There
was no change from
last year. We
still attract a larger proportion of women.
Age
year
sample
0
-5
6
-15
16
-19
20
– 39
40
-64
65+
2005
212
170
(9%)
430
(22%)
160
(8%)
880
(44%)
310
(16%)
50
(2%)
2006
179
270
(9%)
370
(12%)
50
(2%)
1300
(43%)
920
(31%)
100
(3%)
Compared
to last year,
there were
proportionately fewer school age children and teenagers, made up by
the larger percentage of the middle aged. 32% (56% in 2005) of forms
were from groups with children, averaging 4.5 adults and 1.9 children
per group. The number of adults in these groups doubled. Those
without children averaged 2.1 adults.
Ethnicity
year
sample
British
other
white
black
S
Asian
E
Asian
mixed
other
2005
197
1600 (81%)
90
(5%)
50 (3%)
70
(4%)
90 (5%)
80
(4%)
0
(0%)
2006
171
2000
(67%)
470 (16%)
35
(1%)
170 (6%)
50
(2%)
170 (6%)
50 (2%)
The
only striking
difference from last
year was the large proportion of 'other white', mainly Europeans,
compared to 'British'. The 'mixed' category were 90% white/S Asian
this year. There were fewer 'black' people despite having 3
Afro-Caribbean participants.
Paganism
18%
of
respondents
considered themselves pagan, about 550 people, not significantly
different from 2005 in absolute terms. Most pagans in the area
probably came last year.
Disability
10
(6 in 2005)
respondents
considered themselves disabled, extrapolating to 165 disabled
visitors, about double the percentage of 2005. These included
non-obvious disabilities. Except for the Motte, the park is compact
and relatively flat.
year
sample
pagan
disabled
2005
212
600
(29%)
60
(3%)
2006
180
550
(18%)
170
(6%)
Employment
year
sample
full
time
part
time
self
emp
home
children
other
2005
191
700
(35%)
230
(12%)
90
(5%)
90
(5%)
600
(30%)
280
(13%)
2006
170
1200
(41%)
250
(8%)
160
(5%)
120
(4%)
630
(21%)
620
(21%)
The
'other' category
covers students
over 15, unemployed, retired, and permanently sick / disabled. These
increased while the fraction of school age children and part time
workers decreased.
Likes
and dislikes
We
asked visitors what
they liked,
disliked, and what they wanted to see in the future.
The
commonest like was
'everything',
followed by the music and the handfasting (pagan wedding). The venue
and atmosphere were praised. The various dancers, the sacred space,
kids' stuff, Vikings and alternative therapists were also
appreciated, especially the free attractions. The magickal market and
beer stall were well liked.
There
were few dislikes,
the
overwhelming response being 'nothing'. The lack of choice in and
queues for food, the price of alcohol, and the paucity of toilets
(there were 3, adequate last year) were commonly mentioned. Some
people did not like the Viking fights. The local park alcoholics
spoiled the atmosphere for a few.
In
the 'future' section
the commonest
response was 'nothing' or 'more of the same'. Toilets and food were
emphasised in this section too. Last year, some people couldn't get
up the Motte, and some missed events and requested repeating them
during the day. We did that this year, putting some workshops in the
park as well as on the Motte and putting on 5 extra attractions and
more stalls. We still had requests for more at ground level, though
these workshops were sparsely attended. There were again complaints
about the lack of publicity. Other suggestions included street
theatre, a bouncy castle for adults, and a bonfire.
A
sample form and some
feedback forms
from visitors and emails from participants are enclosed.
How
did you hear about
us? [59 forms]
year
word
of
mouth
leaflet
walking
by
Press
&
radio
web
posters
on
park gates
Tourist
info,
Events guide
2005
1020
(51%)
200
(10%)
280
(14%)
220
(11%)
60
(3%)
220
(11%)
2006
1500
(49%)
400
(14%)
250
(8%)
300
(10%)
300
(10%)
250
(8%)
100 (3%)
Not
much change from last
year. Our
flyers, especially those on the park gates, may have been more
effectively placed. Internet referrals seem to have gone up, while we
may have missed the effect of publicity in the Museums' event guide
(we were independent of the Museums this year).
Again,
many of the
'walking by'
people had obviously stayed to explore the festival judging from the
wide range of attractions mentioned by them. As you might expect, the
number of 'walking by' was about the same as last year in absolute
terms.
