The document can be found here http://raceonline2012.org/manifesto

A very interesting evening was had at Loftus Library this week hearing the story of the East Cleveland Image Archive and seeing some wonderful old pictures. For anyone who doesn’t know, the project began as Loftus Digital Village but grew so big that is seemed highly appropriate to rename it the East Cleveland Image Archive. You can see for your self the wealth of images by clicking here.

Many of us have seen these pictures but the story came alive in the hands of Librarian John Hannah. John described linkages between people and places, past and present in a way that was  fascinating.

Others with an interest in history and heritage such a the Skinningrove History Group and the Mulgrave Community Research Project were present and we discussed ways of knowledge and resource sharing. The community archives is here in it’s infancy – www.thedigitalvillages.com

The presentation from the evening is below and you can view the images along with their descriptions and comments here

Really well done, a great achievement.

Results are on your e-vision emails for anyone else who is expecting results.

In line with current national figures for use of ICTs, three quarters of the sample, will use computers and the internet in the home and around 25% of our interviewees will be non- or early ICT users. This will give us a rich picture of contemporary internet usage and the reasons why some people don’t currently have or want access to computers in the home.

We are also exploring the ways in which ICTs are integrated into our everyday lives and households, focusing in on the benefits of internet use, as well as on potential challenges, including, online security and changes in the way that we access services. Our interviews will additionally explore the usefulness of local community websites for supporting social and digital inclusion, asking questions, such as, ‘How can we use digital tools to share local information?’ and ‘In what ways can online social networking support community activity?’. As our interviewing continues, we would like to thank those who have already taken part, and we look forward to meeting new people to discuss their views.

The Toad Hall Arms was the first venue for the two planned “Digital postcard open evenings”.

With a running slide show featuring the homes, views, animals and interesting locations of Moorsholm it stimulated interest and conversation with the local residents.  It also encouraged some written comments to go with some of the images.

Amongst some of the visitors were two Lockwood Parish councillors Mike Jefferson and Vic Davison together with local resident and Redcar & Cleveland Borough Councillor Steve Kay. They were very impressed with the photography and this resulted in an invitation to do a similar project in Lingdale/Stanghow.

Overall it is fair to say that the evening was a success.

Enjoying a pint after viewing the "Digital Postcards" of Moorsholm ( Left to right Mike Jefferson, Steve Kay and Vic Davison)