Society Website

Following discussion at the Society's 2013 Annual General Meeting development of a Society Website was considered further by the Antiquaries' Committee. A subgroup comprising Ros McMeekin, Don Martin, Ivan Ruddock and David Graham was established to explore design options and to advise on content. Initial advice was sought from John Williamson, who has experience of setting up and maintaining websites.

During the early summer months of 2013 the subgroup met with John to learn about the 'pros and cons' of the various options and associated costs before presenting the information to the Society's committee for approval. After due consideration, the committee decided to retain John's expertise and to develop the website with the following features:

1. A website based on a blog as available free from providers such as Google and WordPress rather than purchasing a domain name and developing a conventional independent website for which the Society would be completely responsible for design and maintenance. By opting for Google's blog-based platform, the Society could capitalise on the expertise and security systems of Google's Content Management System thereby obviating the need for regular input from an IT consultant.


2. A simple and pleasing design that would help advertise the Society and its programme of talks and outings, recruit new members by promoting its aims and objectives, and facilitate communication between the members. After 'surfing' the internet it was decided that the website of other local history societies had many of the features being sought by the subgroup in terms of editable layout, style and colour.


3. Public' pages freely visible to all on the internet. The 'public' pages will include a home page with some photographs of historic sites and Society outings; information 'about us'; information on how to become a member; the season's programme of meetings and their venues; details of how to contact the Society; and possibly links to related associations/societies and organisations such as other historical societies in East Dunbartonshire and further afield; details and reports of previous talks; and information on how to obtain the Society's publications. It is hoped that these pages will be populated by contributions from the members (bearing in mind Data Protection and Copyright). 


4. 'Private' pages restricted to the Society's members, each of whom would have access by means of a password. The 'private' pages are likely to contain information about the names and addresses of the Society's officers, and papers such as the Constitution, minutes of the Annual General Meeting and committee and the Annual Financial Statement.

Matters are well advanced and it is planned that the website will be 'live' during the month of December 2013. Members who do not have access to the internet will continue to receive information about the Society by Royal Mail. Finally, the website subgroup would wish to encourage you to keep in touch through the website and to contribute to its content. Comments and contributions (text or photographs) about the past or future of the Society will be welcomed.