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The Valley News is the parish magazine that has served the parishes of Lower Heyford, Rousham, Somerton and Upper Heyford for many years. In May-July 2000 its future was under threat, as after a public meeting to discuss its future production, it was felt that perhaps it was past its time and no longer served the community or was, in fact, wanted by the community. Fortunately, after the Valley News production team conducted its own research, it was found that there was a fervent support and demand for it. Residents of the parishes felt that it would be keenly missed, because it delivers local snippets of information and advertisements for local suppliers to their door. And, it should be noted that the production of the magazine, up until 2002, was entirely funded by its advertisers who chose to place their adverts in it. In 2002, parish households were requested to submit an extremely modest contribution towards the production of the magazine, but even this was not mandatory. So Valley News is delivered virtually free to every household in the parishes, which is a great achievement in this day and age. The Valley News lives on, and perhaps, because of the threat of its demise, it has brought a new group of supporters, supplying copy and assistance, for which the production team are VERY grateful. The following article was written by one of the founders of the Valley News, when he heard about its threatened closure. I am sad the Valley News, which has served the local community for so many years looks as though its days are numbered. A lot of hard work and time went into the publication of the magazine in those early days, with the burden of tasks falling on the shoulders of just a few willing people in the area. It would be shame to see all their good efforts wasted. It all began at the end of November 1978 when the Diocese ceased its publication of the 'Ploughly 20'. A public meeting was held in Somerton village hall for residents from our four parishes in the Cherwell Valley, a working team of five intrepid workers formed and a programme laid down with the aim of publishing our own local magazine. Wynne M was the main driving force (it being impossible to say "no" to Wynne) and she quickly found volunteers to type articles of general interest, aided by the efforts of Anne S. Bob C was our treasurer - although we had no money in the kitty - and it was left in the amateur hands of Ian L-S and myself to attempt to put something together. Early on Christmas morning 1978, after Santa had been, I went armed with drawing paper and felt-tipped pen to all four churches in the valley, sketching a design for the cover, under strict instructions that the turkey would be on the table at 1pm. We managed to persuade ten local businesses to advertise, but this was not sufficient to guarantee covering the costs of printing for more than the first issue. Thanks to donations from the churches, local groups and the generosity of individual residents we were able to plan three or four publications. Having received sheaves of typed copy, Ian and I, armed with scissors and gluepot, set about trying to make the articles fit into some semblance of order, bearing in mind that front page (1) and the back page (8) were 'pasted up' side by side - with hopefully just the right amount of copy to fit in the pages between. The completed artwork was then taken by Ian to Prestoprint in Oxford and duly returned for the following Saturday morning's working party at Jack & Gay T's house in Somerton. Here, seven or eight of us folded and stapled between 1,500 and 4,000 sheets to produce 500 finished magazines. Our village representatives, the same stalwarts from the first issue, look after distribution, posting a copy through every letterbox in the valley and being available to pass on to the editor snippets of news and gossip.
Later, with increased advertising revenue, we were able to afford professional made-up booklets, thus saving the arduous task of folding and stapling - though I did miss that glass of wine when we had finished. I left the village after producing 84 issues, the scissor job and paste-up then being taken over by Bob & Jo L. They in turn left Lower Heyford, having passed over the work to Dianne S a few years previously, but still assisting her with copy and advice. Now we are into computerised publishing - still a lot of work involved, but at least the copy is square with the page, the lines are straight and there ’s no glue left on the fingertips. I hope the magazine continues for a long time yet. I don’t want to see it vanish - even though I no longer live in the village, I enjoy reading every two months what has been happening in the valley, but it is up to you. You don’t have to be a Shakespeare to write an article of interest. A few little anecdotes from the past - like Miss Dew's whistling hearing aid being switched off during the sermon - ladies could give us their favourite seasonable recipes - tales about trade on the canal or when Somerton had a railway station - gardening gems - the fete on the wettest day of the year. Advertising is essential to maintain production, but there is sufficient income now to double the size of the articles in the magazine, but only YOU can make that happen. B
Scott-Smith Footnote: After this article was written, Dianne S ceased to produce the magazine at the beginning of 2001 having done it for over seven years., Her once trusty computer unfortunately erupted in a show of indoor fireworks that would have done credit to Vesuvius, which meant she could no longer continue. Molly James, the then rector's wife, oversaw the production for a further eight editions, before Ian L-S took over the helm, producing the magazine in a new A4 format, and ensuring the continuing production of this valued and needed vehicle of local news and information. | TOP | |
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THE
VALLEY NEWS
The
first magazine came out in February 1979. My copy was signed by the
original editorial team and it is interesting to note in the leading
article written by Clifford Rhodes, similar problems to those facing
residents under the Amin regime in Uganda in 1979 are being repeated
today in Zimbabwe.