The ‘second highest village in Shropshire’ has a nice combination of a blog and a well executed traditional static site with the majority of content. I like the fact that it is the Parish Council running the site – a far more effective way of communicating about local issues than the traditional parish newsletter. The combined sites are a wonderful resource for parish with only 500-odd residents. There is an interesting contrast to draw with Sean Brady an individual Parish Councillor with a very good blog in Formby.
There is a really good debate running here about a new visitor centre for a local beauty spot. As you follow the thread you can see tensions with an equally good, but campaign driven neighbouring site for the Friends of the Wrekin. I don’t have a view on the merits of the argument, but it is great to see such a lively debate going on about an important issue on two hyperlocal websites – much better than a traditional council driven consultation or the argument happening behind the scenes or in meetings hardly anyone goes to. The post on deer poaching from last summer caught my eye – blogging is often wrongly seen as an urban activity.
