Alkham Church of St Anthony
In the previous month’s issue, the newsletter touched upon the inevitable march of time and how it alters the way communities share their stories. Today, that change will hit home for Alkham villagers.
With the rise of social media, the vast majority of village news, events, and updates have migrated to Facebook and similar digital platforms. Alkham is not alone in this shift; parishes across the region have seen their traditional print editions succumb to the digital age. Consequently, this current edition marks the final regular monthly printed Alkham Newsletter.
While the monthly print routine is coming to an end, the publication isn’t vanishing entirely. The editor, Brian Wimsett, intends to print special editions when absolutely necessary and transition to an email version whenever possible. To keep the project alive, residents are encouraged to continue sending in their community news.
A Legacy of Community Spirit
The history of the Alkham Newsletter is rooted in remarkable local dedication:
- September 1993: The newsletter was launched by the late, splendid Tony Ingall. Tony famously won a computer in a competition by pledging to create a monthly newsletter, delivered completely free to every property in the parish by a network of volunteers.
- 1997: When Tony left the village, Brian Wimsett took the reins. Brian expanded the format to two pages, introducing small advertisements to cover the costs of photocopying, and eventually took over the physical printing process himself.
- The Mission: For over three decades, the core mission has never wavered: remaining strictly not-for-profit. Low-cost local advertising successfully covered the expense of paper and ink, allowing the production of 300 copies every single month.
Gratitude to Volunteers and Next Steps
The editor extends an enormous, heartfelt thank you to the 13 dedicated deliverers who have walked the parish lanes. Their reliability and community spirit over the years have been terrific. They are incredibly appreciated, and their willingness to continue—had the print edition survived—speaks volumes about their dedication.
To adapt to changing times and keep the village connected, the newsletter is moving to digital inboxes.
How to Stay Connected: To receive the new email version of the newsletter, or to submit news items and notices, residents can reach out via:
- Email: brianwimsett@hotmail.com
- Phone: 01304 824969
The Alkham Newsletter thanks the entire parish for welcoming the printed edition into their homes for over thirty years, as the community prepares for this next digital chapter.