We had 57 returned questionnaires, from 200+ issued. These included two which didn’t answer the questions. There were, therefore, effectively 55 replies and the responses broke down as follows:
Qu. 1 The overwhelming response was for an annual event (49 out of 55) with 5 favouring alternate years and one suggesting five-yearly.
Qu. 2 64% (35) favoured a Saturday, with 25% (14) a Friday and 11% (6) prepared to attend on either day.
Qu. 3 46% (25) were for a celebrity speaker with 47% (26) against. “Don’t knows” were 7% (4).
Qu. 4 Of the 25 in favour of a celebrity speaker 5 wanted a price no more than £30, 12 were prepared to pay £30-35 and 8 accepted £35+.
Qu. 5 As far as the venue was concerned there were five who felt we should still press for the School to host the dinner and this figure would certainly have been greater if we hadn’t ruled it out in the wording of our question. The total breakdown was:
| Aston Villa | 36 |
| School | 5 |
| Sutton area hotel | 4 |
| City centre hotel | 2 |
| Aston Wood Golf Club | 2 |
| Clubhouse | 2 |
| Country hotel | 1 |
| Don’t know | 3 |
| TOTAL | 55 |
Qu. 6 Twelve people said they could offer names of more attendees.
Qu. 7 Five offered to help (some stipulating “in a small way”).
Qu.8 Finally we had a number of general comments, listed in no particular order:
Invite wives and girlfriends.
Less emphasis on sport.
Try a day long event at a country pub.
Try an extended period event at Perry Common which is, after all, the AOE War Memorial.
More emphasis on AOE’s - outside members not interested in AOE and we waste our time trying to attract them. Recognise that this is an AOE event and not an AEA one.
Use School’s 6th Form leaving lists.
Choose a venue which recognises the lower numbers attending.