The holiday break provided a good opportunity to look back over the Star’s five years as your community newspaper – and forward into the future. Looking back; Issue Number One, I have to admit, wasn’t all that good. But we were mighty pleased with it at the time.
The first issue was sponsored by a mere fifteen advertisers, however, somewhat to the David and my relief, more soon joined and we began to break even. So it’s a huge thank you to all advertisers and especially those initial businesses – who have continued to support the Star. It’s pretty simple: no advertisers, no paper.
Issue Six brought the first obvious improvement with the introduction of a brighter heading. This thanks to Jasmin Stevens who, as layout artist, has been the key member of the team. The second ‘leap forward’ was at the beginning of the second year’s production with the move to a better quality paper resulting in both improved photo reproduction and a brighter over all appearance.
To date the issue causing the most excitement has probably been February 2008’s which covered the opening of the new Medical Centre and presented details of the Le Cordon Bleu International Cuisine School planned to be sited on the outskirts of Martinborough. The latter over eight pages with site photo, plans, details, and comments – 90% of which were in favour.
The May issue carried the headline ‘The worst possible news’ which announced that UCOL had decided to pull out of the project.
A special thanks goes to Mate Higginson who has been providing his historic pieces from very early on – an astonishing 45 episodes so far. I can assure Mate that feedback shows that this sharing of his knowledge is greatly appreciated.
Last year family and work commitments forced Jasmin to relinquish her all important position in the team – on behalf of Martinborough, a huge and well deserved thanks Jasmin!
Thankfully catastrophe was averted by the fortuitist arrival of Lindie and Mike who volunteered to take over Jasmin’s work – whew! Not only taking over the layout but giving the Star a fresh new look.
Right from the beginning local clubs, groups and organisations showed a gratifying enthusiasm for the Star, allowing the paper to cover a wide range of community interests.
My wish for 2013 is for a continuing local input to the Star. Recently a local was bemoaning the falling numbers in his club. My thought was that probably most people was not even aware of its existence. Items on his club’s activities would almost certainly result in resurgence of interest.
Excellent examples of great club publicity are Kevin Campbell’s monthly Golf Club reports or Noelene White’s regular items on the Friendship Club and Womens Institute.
I realise that most club secretaries already have enough on their plate, so why not nominate somebody as the club’s publicity person?
Finally our roving reporter, Gay Reed, is moving to Lake Ferry. While this will result in more news from the coast it rather leaves a gap in our local volunteer base. We need somebody with a reasonable grasp of written English and can compose a good photo to join the team. Usually involving a couple of times a month. If you are interested or would like more detail please contact me: beckett36@gmail.com
Mike Beckett
