Neil

BalsallCom.Com – serving Balsall Common and Berkswell

In November 2003, three Balsall Common residents got together to discuss how to go about tackling the lack of a decent web presence with an emphasis on community news and information. It was born from a perceived lack of a central information base where people could easily find out what’s going on in the immediate area. So deciding they should figure out a solution they sat down in a circle on the floor at Neil’s house to think how to do something about it.

This magic circle (or to be more accurate, small gathering of 3 people sitting in a circle) – made up of Craig, Burgess, Neil Cooke and Paul Tasker – decided they would have to create something more than other community sites offered at the time. 6 months later, the planning and design was more or less done and the team launched BalsallCom.Com giving Balsall Common it’s first sole dedicated news website where visitors could submit links, contribute stories and discuss local issues, all stuff we take for granted today. Back then it was ahead of its’ time.

BalsallCom.Com – established 2004

The official launch date for BalsallCom.Com was 1st May 2004. It was the beginning of a journey learning what people want from a website serving the area.

BalsallCom.Com 2010 – re-imagined and re-engineered

From June-August 2010 work began regenerating the site into the incarnation you see today. This followed 2 years work exploring what a community website should be today and how it could fit with the advancements in mobile and social technology, particularly the emergence of smart phones and changes in the way people were using social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

The site now enjoys up to 20,000 page reads per month and has many regular active visitors.

We are committed to having a real community focus behind what we do and welcome feedback and ideas on how we can deliver on this commitment. If you have any suggestions send us an email to
admin@balsallcom.com

The aims of BalsallCom.Com:

 

• Raise awareness of what’s going on in and around the villages of Balsall Common, Berkswell and outlying areas.
• Offer residents a place they can make friends and enjoy friendly discussion. This includes a Balsall Common Facebook page for Facebook fans at: https://www.facebook.com/balsall.common
• Boost community activity and encourage people to get involved with local clubs, societies, sports and events.
• Provide news and information that’s relevant to the people of Balsall Common and Berkswell.
• Help promote local businesses
• Make the site accessible from different media (e.g. PCs; laptops, mobile phones).
• Foster a healthy sense of humour.

Facebook fans are invited to share their suggestions on our dedicated page at: https://www.facebook.com/balsall.common

Anybody wanting to correspond with us more privately can email us at
admin@balsallcom.com

See BalsallCom as it was ..

a twinkle in the eye (2003) …. almost there.. (2004) … up and running (2004) … events (2005) … forums (2007) … video (2008) … TBC

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