Background history
The first issue was in the summer of 1981 – typed on wax stencils and printed on a Gestetner. Its aim was and is to give information to parishioners about the parish and get people communicating. Originally, Kay Hind co-edited with Freda Basley, still the editor today. Later Margaret Green and then Sandra Homewood had spells as assistant editors.
We’ve had three artists; Mark Dey, Hanka Watt and now Jean Peterken, although others have done the occasional illustration and, of course, we use appropriate logos and badges. The format being an A5 booklet, we find that 250-300 words fit on one page, 600 for two pages (this allows for an eye-catching bit of artwork). We try not to have a piece that spreads over the two page limit.
Present day
We need and welcome more input of all kinds: controversy can stir things up. But we must have the contributor’s name and telephone number, even if the piece is printed as ‘anonymous’ or ‘name supplied’. We will respect confidentiality.
If someone else’s printed work is quoted, we must have the author’s permission before we print it – copyright rules.
Advertisements from local traders help with finances.
The N & V format has changed over the years, particularly the parish Who’s Who, which is now a pull-out centre page. This is the parish’s directory, benefiting from the fact that it is up-dated every quarter. To help identify the four quarterly issues, the colour code for covers and pull-outs are: New Year – yellow/gold Spring – blue Summer – pink Autumn – green
In the early years we had a good in-put from young people, and would like more, particularly from teen-agers. The colouring page is a regular feature, reminding us that the very young are also parishioners.
Editor: Mrs Freda Basley, 020 8302 9644
CONTRIBUTIONS TO ‘NEWS AND VIEWS’ MAY BE HANDED IN TO THE PRESBYTERY
