15 Feb 2021
Client: Ewanrigg Local Trust
Project: 'Maryport Matters' Magazine
Brief: To devise a practical and deliverable model for a community magazine.
Description: The project involved the development, management and production of a communtiy magazine for Maryport and the surrounding villages.
With a focus on well-being, the magazine:
The project included:
'Maryport Matters' (originally a working title of ‘Your Maryport’) is an A4 sized, 16 page, full colour, quarterly magazine with space for low cost advertising opportunities and editorial. The first edition, published in September 2016, had a run of 7,000 copies and was delivered door-to-door in Maryport, Dearham, Flimby, Crosby, Crosscanoby and Broughton Moor. Readers were given the opportunity to name the magazine in the first edition. Subsequent quarterly editions have been published and the project is ongoing. The magazine has expanded to 20 pages and now has a print run of 8,000. Special themed editions have been commissioned including a YOUTH TAKEOVER edition compiled from young people's contributions and celebrating young talent in the town and surrounding villages.
We have produced 29 editions to date.
Content for every edition is resident led - provided by the community for the community.
We have pulled together a collection of local columnists who provide content on a variety of themes in each edition. We aim to cover health, mental health, arts, nostalgia & history, cooking, nature and education.
In response to reader requests we produce a limited number of large print A3 copies that are available to those with sight difficulties and are distributed free of charge to local care homes.
We have also provided free advertising features to boost retail and commercial activity at particular times of the year (eg. Christmas, lockdown periods etc.)
When COVID-19 hit the local community we adapted the publishing schedule on two separate occasions to 'rush out' 2 emergency editions, with a focus on providing helpful resources for residents to find the right support during these difficult times. We regularly include features on looking after your mental health, and have experienced a huge surge in contributions from the community.
We are currently trialling a community distribution model with voluteers delivering up to 3,000 copies backed up by a professional distribution company delivering the rest.
For more information on the magazine please contact me on [email protected] or visit www.thecentrewestcumbria.com/maryport-matters
In order to fulfil the project brief I partner with Cumbrian-based design company DSG Design.
Reader comments: "I love receiving the magazine and reading about all that is happening around Maryport. I think it is the best place to live and the people are kind and caring as well as being the most friendly. I came to live here when I married a Maryport man 58 years ago and have never regretted it. I love Maryport!" Kathleen Willis