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Helmdon Talkabout

 

A new editor and publisher have been appointed.

 

Note from the new editor - 2nd April 2008

The former editor and publisher have developed a good system and set of guidelines, which include well rehearsed deadlines for advertisers and contributors; I think it not a good idea to make changes to the routines at this stage by trying to publish a May/June issue, and would therefore prefer to get ready for an Autumn 2008 issue with its 24th August/1st September deadlines.

History

The Helmdon Talkabout magazine is an established part of Helmdon village life serving the parish of Helmdon since April 1984. Envisioned, produced and financially guaranteed by the Parish Council the magazine provides the bi-annual "non-electronic" version of events in and around the parish of Helmdon.

From the beginning the magazine has aimed to inform villagers of coming events and encourage them to participate. The very first issue of the magazine had these words to say from a previous chairman of the parish council.
 

The first edition of Talkabout

Many have 'remembered' and in doing so provided the magazine today with over 36 groups and organizations in the Parish to cover and promote.

The magazine has a distribution of around 420 copies now and is published bi-annually. Just over 400 are delivered by a group of volunteers to all the houses in the Parish. The remaining copies are distributed to advertisers, local councillors, records office and a few for sale in our own village shop.

The core editorial goals of the magazine are :

  1. To Inform the parish of forthcoming events.
  2. To celebrates its achievements.
  3. To allow your organizations, groups & clubs to advertise itself and call for support.
  4. To provide parishioners with an opportunity to publish notices of Birth, Marriage and Death.
  5. To provide parishioners with the opportunity to write about topics that concern the parish or are of interest to the parish.
  6. To allow our elected representatives to communicate with the parish.
  7. To support charitable organizations in their goals to inform, educate and supply services to the parish.
  8. To provide a handy reference of contacts and timetables.

Many organizations can testify that in writing their articles for the magazine they have attracted new members to some or all of their events. It should be noted however that the writing of an article is not a "chore" that must be produced every issue deadline. It should be viewed as an opportunity to take advantage of a completely free village service (note the magazine is self funding through advertising) that allows you to get your message in front of just over 400 parish households every 6 months.

The editorial role here is to ensure that the goals are adhered to and updated where necessary. To ensure that comments made are fair and not vitriolic to other members of the parish and finally to create and distribute the finished publication.

The publisher's role is to manage the advertisers and find the best price / performance printing options for each issue. The management of advertisers includes finding them in the first place, convincing them to advertise, creating invoices, collecting money, managing the bank account and paying the printers.

Currently these positions are held by:

Editor : John Thorne, Lilac Barn, Wappenham Road, (01295) 760565
Publisher : Paul Stothard,  55 Wappenham Road, (01295) 760518

If you wish to learn more about the magazine or research its history (and back catalogue) please contact the editor.
 
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