The Accrington Observer

[Ken Moss]

How many of you buy this each week? It is widely recognised that most of the local politicians get the paper but what do people actually think of it?

Now I get on well with the Rishton reporter but there never seems to be an awful lot of news concerning Labour and Independent councillors and given that the editor of the paper is credited as a judge on the Freeman of the Borough awards it seems understandable that it isn't exactly the most neutral of publications. It is notable that the Conservative councillors who are up for election in June are suddenly appearing with increased regularity as well.

However, since being mentioned on AccyWeb I notice that the number of cheques that are photographed being handed out has dropped off considerably, with none at all this week. I also see an article regarding the Spring Street derelicts with quotes from Cllr Britcliffe distinctly at odds with the claims in their own public newpaper In Touch that state Cllr Horne has succeeded in securing demolition. The power of Accrington Web!

One question remains: just who is D Pratt of Plantation Street who gets a letter printed in every edition?

[flashy]

he/she is probably related to A.Pratt

[shillelagh]

i get it .. not every week .. but more often than not .. depends if i remember to buy it ...

[Less]

Don't buy it, do read it if it's in the pub .
Ignore the letters page.
If I guess who d Pratt is, as with lobby ludd, if I'm right do I get a prize?

Answer, look on mirror you chose to be a Councillor.

[cashman]

bought this weeks, cos i wanted to read the ayatollahs ramblings, just to remind me what a complete ****** he is. first i bought this year, used to be a regular buyer when it was a good local paper.

[accyman]

i found the ink left marks on my backside so i switched back to loo roll

[Less]

P.S. Ken, you seem just lately though very often to use phrases such as "How many of you", rather than, "how many of us".

[Ken Moss]

Originally Posted by Less

P.S. Ken, you seem just lately though very often to use phrases such as "How many of you", rather than, "how many of us".

True, but I know that I buy it so I chose in this instance not to ask myself.

Good point though, noted.

[garinda]

My thoughts haven't changed, since I posted this, last year...

Originally Posted by garinda

Every other month I send in details of the forthcoming Parkinson's disease support meet, in Accy Town Hall, and ask nicely if it could be included in the What's On section.

Book clubs, ladies groups, bring and buys, all seem fine, just not a charitable support group, which benefits many people in the area.

I think they've printed the details twice, in the last two years.

I won't be bothering in future. There are other ways we can publish the details of the meetings. Many with easier ways of reaching more people, than your dwindling circulation figures would allow us to.

I also won't bother buying it anymore. I might glance at a family member's copy, when it's given to me third hand. For old times sake.

Rest in peace Accrington Observer, a once great, and much loved local newspaper.

What we're left with in it's place, is quite frankly, and literally, rubbish.

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/f...all-55566.html

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

How many of you buy this each week? It is widely recognised that most of the local politicians get the paper but what do people actually think of it?

Now I get on well with the Rishton reporter but there never seems to be an awful lot of news concerning Labour and Independent councillors and given that the editor of the paper is credited as a judge on the Freeman of the Borough awards it seems understandable that it isn't exactly the most neutral of publications. It is notable that the Conservative councillors who are up for election in June are suddenly appearing with increased regularity as well.

However, since being mentioned on AccyWeb I notice that the number of cheques that are photographed being handed out has dropped off considerably, with none at all this week. I also see an article regarding the Spring Street derelicts with quotes from Cllr Britcliffe distinctly at odds with the claims in their own public newpaper In Touch that state Cllr Horne has succeeded in securing demolition. The power of Accrington Web!

One question remains: just who is D Pratt of Plantation Street who gets a letter printed in every edition?

Before your time, but it was once a truly great local newspaper. Especially when it was a broadsheet.

Today's feeble facsimile doesn't even compare to the old Midweek Accrington Observer.

Printed news has changed.

People want information instantaneously, and for free.

Sad, but not much can be done about it.

[lancsdave]

Originally Posted by garinda

Printed news has changed.

People want information instantaneously, and for free.

Sad, but not much can be done about it.

Sums it up for me. I bought the Observer yesterday for obvious reasons but don't normally buy it. Don't buy any paper unless there is something in I know about and need to buy it.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Ken Moss

I notice that the number of cheques that are photographed being handed out has dropped off considerably, with none at all this week.

I, along with fellow committee members, were photographed in the press last year, receiving a cheque on behalf of the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Parkinson's disease support group.

Truly, we were very grateful for the financial support we received from the council, and Peter Britcliffe. If it wasn't for him informing me that there might be funding available, I would never have thought of seeking funds this way.

Resulting from the photograph's publication we attracted some new members to the group, who needed help and support.

Nothing to do with politics, but this year I've decided not to apply again for a grant from H.B.C.

Cuts mean peoples' jobs are likely to be axed. We will find other ways to raise money. I am applying to Ribble Valley B.C., who have yet to cough up a penny.

Regardless of why we were awarded this money, we were genuinely grateful, and it did make a real difference to our members.

The first year we were given it, no publicity at all was sought.

Last year it was only at my suggestion, and no one elses, and we were grateful that the ensuing publicity resulted in us being able to offer support to more people affected by Parkinson's disease.

Fair's fair.

No politican used us to gain publicity.

That was purely down to me, wanting it for our group.

No politican forced, or even suggested the award should be publicised.

[accyman]

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Sums it up for me. I bought the Observer yesterday for obvious reasons but don't normally buy it. Don't buy any paper unless there is something in I know about and need to buy it.

quite sad that the only thing that increases sales of a paper is a story about toilet closures hand gifted to them from the public and not by anything of quality or interest done off their own back.I may take a look online to see if they mentioned how these toilet closures benefit the council leaders sons buisness yet inconvinence everyone else visiting accrington.

i notice comments on the site are closed for teh toilet story so i guess they dont want to hear what the people of accrington have to say about this nor their customers

[lancsdave]

Originally Posted by accyman

quite sad that the only thing that increases sales of a paper is a story about toilet closures hand gifted to them from the public and not by anything of quality or interest done off their own back.I may take a look online to see if they mentioned how these toilet closures benefit the council leaders sons buisness yet inconvinence everyone else visiting accrington

Don't waste your time, it's not online

[accyman]

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Don't waste your time, it's not online

its here but like i said the comments have been closed

Accrington latest Blog Archive Town toilets closure not ‘inconvenient’ – council leader

its what i got when i clicked on their website anyway