From the new Editor
As Parish News enters its 20th year, our old friend begins a new chapter
Happy New Year, and welcome to the new-look Parish News!
Back in 2003, Editor James Starkie evolved the Parish News into a booklet format, and a network of volunteers distributed it through every letterbox in the area. This continued until mid-2020, when the pandemic made digital distribution the new norm under John Parsons’ editorship. Last year, Lee Hunt did a brilliant job refreshing its design – many thanks to him for all his hard work.
Today, as Parish News embarks upon its 20th year, I begin as the new Editor and am overseeing a further leap in its evolution. My task is to make it easier to read on mobiles and tablets, where — like most news sources — it is now most commonly read.
Rest assured, some things won’t change. Once a month for two decades we’ve been lucky to get a one-stop digest of all the important local news and upcoming events. It is created through a unique partnership of the three parish councils, St Mary’s Church, two village halls, two primary schools and many local community groups. We are fortunate to have an authoritative local newsletter that cuts through the constant noise of social media; needless to say, its role is perhaps more important now than ever before.
But it is now far more common to read the news on an iPad or mobile than it is to get a printed copy. This costs less, reduces waste, and makes it quicker and easier to find information whenever and wherever you happen to need it.
We have seen this locally. I have managed the Roughlee village email list and website for six years, and am always amazed by the data showing very high levels of subscribers, readers and clickers. Similarly, a digital-first Parish News has a thriving future ahead in this new format.
Parish News editions will now be issued on the 1st of each month, 12 months a year. Subscribers will receive an email direct into their inbox with a short overview of the latest articles, with the full edition online at parishnews.org. There is also an archive of previous editions.
Within this new format, I hope you find the familiar, reassuring warmth that only two decades of Parish News traditions can provide. Moreover, I hope that it continues to fulfil its important role in strengthening our vibrant local communities across the Pendleside villages of Barley, Goldshaw Booth and Roughlee.
In that spirit, if you have anything to submit for future editions, please email me at editor@parishnews.org by the 25th of each month. All contributions are very welcome.
As we look forward to the future this New Year, here’s to the next 20 years of Parish News – a very warm welcome to its latest chapter.