As this is the final edition of Rye News for 2023, it seems fitting to update you on what has happened this year and our plans for the future. It's been a very busy year for Rye News and a new exciting phase in our development as we continue to grow.
Regrettably, many local publications have ceased trading this year but thankfully Rye News is here to stay and by adapting to change, listening to our readers and recruiting the right people we continue to produce a weekly paper which has a large and loyal following.
2023 has been a year of change for Rye News, a transitional phase in our development and the opportunity to take a good look at ourselves, see where we have got to, understand where we need to be and implement a workable plan to make sure we get there.
When I took over the role of editor in April this year a small group was formed to brainstorm a plan for our future and then roll it out. This involved a lot of planning, time and energy which has been driven by Rye News director and company secretary, Peter Connock with James Stewart (Ryecast), Natasha Robinson, Rye News director and social media guru, and me. Juliet Duff stepped up to the role of deputy editor and we have recently recruited two additional sub-editors, Christina Hurst and Lenka Medlik which enabled us to produce up to 25 stories and articles a week. We have also engaged Gibbons Mannington and Phipps to administer our accounts and Gemma Dilworth as bookkeeper.
Various new initiatives have been introduced to the paper including News in Brief which is proving to be very popular and M's author corner has brought forward new writing competition winners. James Stewart's Ryecast continues to grow in popularity, capturing important conversations with local people, for us all to keep and savour.
Rye News now has a permanent base, thanks to the generosity of a local benefactor, we have a very nice office and meeting facility above the cricket pavilion on the Salts which we share with another local recently formed charity, Friends Altogether in Rother (FAiR). We felt it was important to secure a professional working environment where we can meet, work, interview and enable our readers and supporters to come and see us and see how we operate.
We have an important role to fulfil and have supported various community projects this year and campaigns which include the community allotments, keeping the swimming pool open, highlighting social and economic issues including parking, playground equipment, water shortages, potholes and resurfacing issues and many, many more. But this is what we do, we report news, support local events and businesses, encourage debate and interaction and keep everyone informed as much as we are able.
We have talked about holding a public meeting with our sponsors, donors and supporters and now that we have a suitable venue, we are planning to hold this during February next year. It's important that you have the opportunity to meet the team, share your ideas and views with us and see what we are all about, 2024 will see further positive changes at Rye News as we continue to grow.
We have a great team of writers, photographers (thank you Kt Bruce), administrators, sub-editors and directors who all pull together to make Rye News happen each and every week, my personal thanks go out to every single one of them who give so much of their time and energy to making Rye News what it is today. Every member of our team plays a part in making the paper what it is, none of us are paid, we do it because we care but without the support of our readers, donors and subscribers we couldn't function.
From all of us to all of you may we take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support for Rye News and wish you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and very best wishes for the coming year ahead.
With kind regards,
Nick Forman
Editor, Rye News
