This is a new experimental section of the forum prompted by discussions with several existing and potential sponsors of The Marple Website and one or two registered users, who have highlighted the commercial use that is sometimes made of this forum.
It's a new additional free feature for sponsors that already pay for banner advertising on the site and who are therefore currently contributing towards its running costs. Depending on the level of interest and use this section of the forum may be developed and extended, or it may be removed.
If you are an existing banner advertiser, then you are welcome to start your own thread on this board publicising your business and then, whenever you have something new to announce, please add a new post to the same thread. (Sponsors' will be made members of a special user group that will show on all their posts - posts by non-sponsors in this section will be removed).
Following the introduction of this section of the forum commercial posts, and posts with links to business web sites of non-sponsors will be edited or removed. I will use my judgement if there is a cross-over between commercial use and community interest, so if you are unsure, please ask.
If you would like to become a Marple Website Sponsor by taking out a banner advert on the main site, the forum and on the Virtual History Tour, then have a look here for more details:
http://www.marplewebsitedesign.co.uk/home/web-ads.htmlIf you are already a sponsor but do not have an account on the forum, then please register using your business name and once your account is set up and approved you can start posting.
Of course as sponsors are strictly limited to local businesses, then your contributions as a local person will also be welcome in all topics on the forum - but please stick to this board for commercial items.
The purpose of the banner adverts on the site is to generate income to cover its running costs. This has been quite successful in recent years and has allowed me to donate the surplus income to local causes. In 2011 £1,000 was donated to Friends of Marple Memorial Park for their Diamond Jubilee Project. In 2012 the web site was able to become the main sponsor of the Marple Christmas Cracker with a donation of £1,000 to Marple Business Forum. In 2013, so far £500 has been donated to Friends of Marple Memorial Park towards the Skate Park Project. This latter donation was made through localgiving.com and it has also been match-funded by Forever Manchester, effectively doubling our our money.
So local businesses - you can help support this web site, help yourselves and help the local community by taking out a banner advert on The Marple Website.
