Survey Results
regarding the needs and wishes in the general field of culture and heritage
The Committee surveyed the population of Potton in order to know their needs and wishes in the general field of culture and heritage. The survey took place during the summer 2011, during the Multicultural festival, Culture days and Autumnfest. The survey was also available at the Library and at Cinéma Potton. The 66 persons who responded represent 1.7% of the entire population, which in 2009 was 3 849 persons. Forty six persons were permanent residents of Potton, representing 2.6% of the total permanent resident population, which in 2006 was 1790 persons. If only those 15 years of age and older are counted, which in 2006 was 1600 persons, our respondents represent nearly 3% of the population. This percentage is representative.
| Language | Raw Frequency | Percentage |
| English speakers | 21 | 32 % |
| French speakers | 45 | 68 % |
| Total | 66 |
English language responses represent 32% of the total responses : an under-representation for this group that formed 50% of the total population in 2006. French language responses represent 68% of the total responses : an over-representation for this group that formed 41% of the total population in 2006
Compilation of overall reponses
Identification of respondents : 66 answers
| Residence | Raw Frequency |
| My primary residence is in Township of Potton | 46 |
| My second home is in the Township of Potton | 13 |
| I live outside of the Township of Potton | 7 |
Observation
At 70%, the proportion of respondents who are permanent residents is higher than the statistical average for that group which in 2006 and 2009 was 45%.
Family
| Number : | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 12 |
| Adults | 9 | 50 | 4 | 1 | 2 (Katimavik) |
| Childrens | 4 | 1 |
Observation
A large majority of respondents, 76%, count 2 adults in their family. The average per family in 2006 was 2,6% per dwelling. In this survey, there is an average of 2 persons per dwelling.
Age
| My age | Raw Frequency |
| 70 et + | 13 |
| 60-69 | 31 |
| 50-59 | 15 |
| 40-49 | 2 |
| 30-39 | 1 |
| 20-29 | 2 |
| 17 | 2 (Katimavik) |
| My spouse’s age | Raw Frequency |
| 70 ans+ | 13 |
| 60-69 ans | 21 |
| 50-59 ans | 13 |
| 40-49 ans | 2 |
| 30-39 ans | 1 |
| 20-29 ans | 1 |
| My child(ren)’s age(s) | Raw Frequency |
| 6 mois | 3 |
| 9 ans | 1 |
| 14 ans | 1 |
| 16 ans | 1 |
Observation
A large majority of respondents and their spouses, 67%, are over 60 years of age.
In 2006, 35% of the population was over 60. This grouping is therefore over-represented in our survey. It is of note however, that this group are the largest users of cultural and heritage services. The under 15 group, who in 2006, formed only 11% of the permanent population, are represented at 9% in the present survey.
Language
| My mother tongue | Raw Frequency |
| English | 23 |
| French | 45 |
| German | 1 |
Note : the total, 69 is more than the total number of respondents which was 66 -explained by the fact that two persons indicated English as first language at the same level as French first language and one, German, at the same level as English.
| My second language | Raw Frequency |
| English | 30 |
| French | 13 |
| German | 1 |
| Spanish | 1 |
| Polish | 1 |
Observation
The large majority of english mother tongue respondents (62%) give french as second language. The large majority of french mother tongue respondents (71%) give english as second language. According to the StatsCan survey of 2006, 57% of the population spoke English and French. Our survey respondents are more bilingual than most of the population of Potton. Note that german, spanish and polish language, is representative of the multi ethnic roots of our population.
Participation
| I take part in : | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| (66 answers) | YES | NO |
| Festival of Hearts | 17 | 49 |
| Multicultural Festival | 60 | 6 |
| Saterdays in Potton | 50 | 16 |
| Culture Days | 32 | 34 |
| Autumnfest | 38 | 28 |
| Oktoberfest | 39 | 27 |
| Tour des Arts | 37 | 29 |
| Cinema Potton | 37 | 29 |
| The Library | 46 | 20 |
| Potton Voice chorale | 11 | 55 |
Observation
These results correspond to observation of participation at the larger events. The
numbers confirm what we knew : the Multicultural festival, Saturdays in Potton and the Library are very well attended. The Festival of Hearts is not well known or little understood. The Potton Voices chorale should give a recital in order to become better known within the community.
| I am menber of : | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| ( 62 answers ) | YES | NO |
| Potton Heritage Association | 33 | 29 |
| Cinéma Potton : | 23 | 39 |
| Potton Voices chorale | 7 | 55 |
| Tour des Arts | 3 | 59 |
| The Library | 34 | 28 |
Observation
The Library and Potton Heritage Association attract the highest membership. Cinéma Potton, at only one year old, should soon obtain a similar result. There is room for recruitment of new members for all organisations. The near absence of members for the Potton Voices and the Tour des Arts is explained by the technical criteria required for membership in these groups.
Needs and wishes regarding culture and heritage
| Music | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| (63 answers) | YES | NO |
| Classical | 50 | 13 |
| Jazz | 42 | 21 |
| Rock | 24 | 39 |
| Popular | 28 | 35 |
Suggestions : More variety for Saturdays in Potton; multicultural music, Blues noted 3 times, Country, Western, Folk cited twice, Traditional.
Observation
Not surprisingly, given the average age of respondents, classical music was the most popular choice. Saturdays in Potton seem to respond to majority wishes in terms of music, except for those preferring classical music.
A concert of classical music would draw a good audience.
| Cinéma | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| 64 answers | YES | NO |
| Repertory : | 41 | 23 |
| Documentaries : | 55 | 9 |
| Science-fiction : | 16 | 48 |
| Drama | 39 | 25 |
| Action : | 27 | 37 |
| Adventure : | 35 | 29 |
| Comedy : | 50 | 14 |
| Horror: | 7 | 57 |
| Art House Films: | 38 | 26 |
| Romance: | 26 | 38 |
| Animation : | 22 | 42 |
| For children : | 9 | 55 |
Suggestions : Historic Film ( meaning films about history, presumably)
Commentaires
In order to draw the most viewers, Cinéma Potton should present documentaries, comedies, repertory theater and author’s films. Children’s films, science-fiction and horror movies are the least appealing.
| Theatre | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| (58 answers) | YES | NO |
| Comedy | 50 | 8 |
| Drama | 48 | 10 |
| For children | 14 | 44 |
| Improvisational | 26 | 32 |
Suggestions : Stand-up –Théâtre d’aujourd’hui, La Pastèque dorée (theatre piece)
Observation
A theatre presentation would be well appreciated. The choices, either comedy or drama.
| Conferences/Speakers | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| ( 60 answers) | YES | NO |
| Literature | 40 | 20 |
| History | 40 | 20 |
| Geography | 46 | 14 |
| Adventures | 38 | 22 |
Observation
Given the number of abstentions, nearly 40% of respondents do not want conferences. For the others, all subjects suggested have some appeal.
| Exhibitions | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| ( 62 answers) | YES | NO |
| Painting | 57 | 5 |
| Sculpture | 46 | 16 |
| Heritage | 53 | 9 |
| Photography | 50 | 12 |
Suggestions : Antiquities – old objects.
Observation
All exhibitions are well appreciated. All subjects, with the possible exception of sculpture, seem of strong interest.
Workshops
| Visuals Arts | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| ( 55 answers) | YES | NO |
| Painting | 21 | 34 |
| Pottery | 15 | 40 |
| Sculpture | 15 | 40 |
| Photography | 28 | 27 |
| Cinéma | 11 | 44 |
Suggestions : Computer — Yoga
Commentaires
Little interest for training sessions in visual arts; nonetheless, 28 persons are interested by training in photography, which is a substantial number.
| Literature | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| ( 47 answers) | YES | NO |
| Writing workshop | 19 | 28 |
| My first novel | 11 | 36 |
| Autobiography | 12 | 35 |
Observation
Taking into account the lack of reponses, there would seem to be little interest in such workshops; however, 19 is a sufficient number to form a writing workshop/group.
| Theatre Art | Raw Frequency | Raw Frequency |
| ( 45 anwers) | YES | NO |
| Actor’s role | 11 | 34 |
| Set design | 8 | 37 |
| Improvisational | 10 | 35 |
Commentaires
There is little interest in such workshops.
When suits you best?
| When would events correspond best to your availability? | Raw Frequency |
| (61 answers) | |
| Once a week | 27 |
| Once a month | 23 |
| 6 to 8 times a year | 5 |
| 4 times a year | 6 |
Suggestions : Summer –Christmas holidays – School holidays
| What times are best for you? | |||
| 60 respondents – multiples answers | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
| Monday | 15 | 15 | |
| Tuesday | 14 | 18 | |
| Wednesday | 13 | 20 | |
| Thursday | 14 | 28 | |
| Friday | 13 | 21 | |
| Saturday | 14 | 16 | 17 |
| Sunday | 12 | 14 | 11 |
Suggestions : any time – given 3 times – In the fall: given twice
How much are you willing to pay for a cultural or heritage activity?
59 respondents – multiples answers
| 0 $ | 3 $ | 5 $ | 10 $ | 20 $ | |
| Adults | 4 | 25 | 29 | 17 | |
| Child (6-13 ans) |
1 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
Suggestions : According to the activity: cited twice .
Observation
The preferences : events once a week, Thursday evenings with an admission fee of $10 for adults and $3 for children from 6 to 13 years of age. Cinéma Potton was quite right with its choice of Thursday nights.
Note that there seems an opportunity to increase the admission fee to Cinéma Potton : 77% of respondents are ready to pay $10 and more. Note as well however, that in 2006 the median annual revenues for Pottonites was only $ 18 406. Increasing the admission fee would limit accessibility.
General comments
- You are making a great effort. Keep it up.
- Keeping what is there already is necessary before going on to something else.
- Multiculturel Festival: skip the parade and make it more of a cultural event
- Develop – enhance use of Round Barn in Mansonville
- Need to better know what Potton has to offer (mail or e mail)
- Good work.
- Good idea to do a survey
The Committee for heritage and culture thanks all who responded to the survey. The results will be used to enrichen cultural and heritage events in Potton.
Production
Jean-Louis Bertrand, research and Frech text
Sandra Jewett, English text
Serge Normand, Web edition