Subscription and Contact
The Polstead Road History Project (PRHP) is a local community project interested in the history and features of people and buildings on the street. Communities and groups are linked by contact and communication, and the website offers one way to communicate. Communication is a two-way process. The site communicates outwardly, but we must also receive and respond to inward communication. This page explains how we aim to engage all readers in a productive interaction. All reader input will be invaluable, because each reader will have their own viewpoint, information, and questions that will extend far beyond those of the small project group.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Humans are the pre-eminent social animals, communicating constantly through speech, behaviour, and the choices we make, such as what we wear. Much communication relies on language, and since we developed writing and reading, we have expanded our ability to communicate and, more importantly, enabled collective learning—sharing knowledge with others immediately and, most crucially, over centuries.
Electronic communication is a major advance because it makes retrieving stored information easier. Medical students and professionals previously had to go through vast amounts of material, each containing thousands of pages listing publications in the US-funded Index Medicus books. Now, anyone can search the entire index within minutes, often starting with the first issue of a journal, using PubMed.
Journals can now publish comments on published articles, often within 24 hours of receipt. Electronic conversations are also feasible on blogs and many other web-based channels.
We aim to increase local communication and engage people who, although not living here now, are interested in Polstead Road. They may have lived here once, or known someone who did, or read the Secret Commonwealth and wondered about Malcolm Polstead! Further, we welcome comments, feedback, corrections, and constructive criticism from everyone.
PRHP's communications
Our communications will range from informal newsletters to blog posts to pages. In addition, we will store some original data which you can review and use. We are not using any other social media, though we might if someone wants to take it on.
The type of communication we use is determined by several factors:
- Time.
Some items will remain relevant and current for months or years. The hard data and their interpretation will be relatively permanent. Alternative or better interpretations may emerge, and new relevant data may eventually appear, but these events are unpredictable. These items will usually be on a page. - Analysis.
Some material on the site will be basic original data, such as a spreadsheet listing who owned houses, the date each house was built and who built it, or the prices paid for houses over time. These data will be stored, indexed on a page, and often analysed to produce a page or blog post. - Activities.
Many people may be interested in the mechanics of the project: how it started, where we find information, and why individuals take on and enjoy the work. Some people working on the project may write about what they are doing, how they achieve their goal, or why they enjoy the activity. This material is often fascinating, although it is not historical. This will usually be placed in a blog post, - Intent.
Most pages are intended to interest and inform readers. Some pages will be written to stimulate discussion and debate, hopefully among a group of friends who read them or among the broader community of readers. Other pages will be written to attract more people to the site and encourage them to participate in the project.
Broadly speaking, our communication falls into three groups:
- Broadcasting information.
Much of the site delivers analysed information to the readers. Although people may comment, the communication is expected to be almost entirely one-way. This information will be on pages.
Separately, the site will accumulate and make available files of basic data such as mentions of the road in newspapers, copies of records or photographs, and public resources you may use. - Offering a point-of-view.
Most data can be interpreted in several ways. This will be determined by the author. For example, the author or group may place the data in the context of other streets in Oxford or of world events. Sometimes, an author might provide two or more interpretations of data. Occasionally, they might raise some interesting, even provocative questions.
Interpretations that are, or seem, non-controversial and straightforward will usually be on pages, but more personal or idiosyncratic opinions will usually be on blog posts. Posts, as opposed to pages, are much more personal.
- Engaging people.
We want people to read our material, learn from it, and become actively engaged in the project. The newsletter is specifically aimed at generating interest among a wider audience. It may cover new material, upcoming material trailers, requests for help, etc.
We would like local groups to use the material and contribute. For example, schools that educate children from the neighbourhood might use the material on the site when discussing history or civic duties and responsibilities.
We hope the project stimulates many conversations among diverse groups.
PRHP conversations.
Most conversations will be between people wherever they are. Some may occur at public or private events stimulated by items on the website. Only a minority will be conducted or started through the website.
People can start or join electronic conversations in several ways.
- Every post has a comment box at the end. Anyone may comment. All comments are posted, provided they are not disrespectful. They are found beneath the original post and any earlier comments. You may also comment on earlier comments.
- You may respond to something you have read in the Newsletter. This response will be posted under the relevant newsletter, and others may comment on your contribution.
- You cannot post a comment on a page, but the contact page allows you to make remarks or corrections. We will reply and, if appropriate, we will discuss the best way to publicise your concern, correction, addition, or whatever it is.
- If you wish to raise a new topic or publish something related to the project, we will welcome your contribution. You should start by contacting us with your suggestion.
Subscribing to content notifications and blog posts.
The project is likely to develop and expand. It is a community venture that depends on people interested in our local history. This website’s pages present our results, and the blog posts contain comments and ideas generated by readers and people working on the project.
The quantity and the quality of our output depend on people contributing ideas, memories, facts, and helping with the work. Our newsletter and blog are two ways to keep everyone informed. Currently, we are not on social media such as BlueSky.
You can join an email list to be notified about:
- Publication of a new page or blog post
- Publication of a newsletter
- Any major alteration in the content of a page or section. This will only occur when the change is substantial.
- Your email will not be used for any other purpose, and you may unsubscribe at any time.
- If you only want to be notified about new blog posts, you can subscribe to the automatic notification system provided by WordPress.
Newsletter and new content.
- Pages are added or significantly updated as people find time to identify and analyse new information. We will only notify subscribers about substantial alterations.
- The newsletter is published occasionally and will include information about project-related events.
- Your email will not be used for any other purpose, and you may unsubscribe at any time. The form is below.
Blog posts.
These are different. Each blogpost will concern a particular issue, such as someone’s reflection on what they have learned working on the project, or myths about the road that are untrue, or how national events affected our residents.
You may subscribe to be notified when a new blog post is published. This is separate from the newsletter and new content subscription and notification.
Project contact.
The form below should be completed and submitted. If you want to submit a file or files, you may upload them. However, we suggest using this primarily to elaborate on your question or comment. Material for the project is better sent directly, after making your initial contact.
Contact form
