Courier

[Bitter End]

Weel maybe EMDEE an agin maybe no --its spelt correctly on page 10 in even bigger Bolder print further doon the page Aye third time lucky , or its themsells thats thinking that thet wans mispelt

[jamiemcivor]

Thought you might be interested to know that I discovered last week that the editorial content of the Courier and the Argyllshire Advertiser is now completely distinct. This means there should be no more routine stories from Mid Argyll in the Courier though all the advertising still appears in both titles.

This is the complete opposite of the trend for local papers across the UK and whatever you may think of the content The Oban Times Group should be commended for doing this. Some titles in the Central Belt (owned by far bigger companies) recently merged a lot of their operations and don't even have full-time offices in the communities they are supposed to serve.

This is the first time the Courier has been distinct editorially since 1977, when it first became part of a larger group. In my day in the mid 90s, we normally had 8 pages of our own and the rest of the editorial pages were a joint effort with the Squeak. Filling the pages is a lot of work for Joanne and Ruth so I hope you'll appreciate why mistakes can sometimes happen.

Indeed nostalgia can be misleading. When the Courier was last "independent" from the Squeak it was normally made up of just 4 broadsheet pages. I always used to argue when I was there that there was more local content than there was in that so-called golden age even although I could well understand how some people felt about the Mid Argyll tales.

[jamiemcivor]

As some of you may (hopefully!) have realised, I was rather seriously misquoted in today's Courier. The quote which appeared to have me saying that Angus MacVicar came from Campbeltown was a complete invention. I was very annoyed about this partly out of respect to his memory, partly because inventing direct speech is a cardinal sin in reputable journalism and partly out of concern for my own professional reputation - a mistake like that could have made me a laughing stock locally.

The information was passed to the Courier from another person in the town who, I know, would be equally horrified by this.

I am quite sure that Joanne and Ruth would be very upset about this mistake too. Mistakes happen for various reasons - what happens is how they are dealt with. I've asked for a letter to be printed next week and as long as this happens I'll consider the matter closed. I still think Campbeltown is very lucky to still have its own local paper.

[jamiemcivor]

And as they've said sorry to me and will print my letter next week the matter's now closed...

Mistakes will always happen = the important thing is how they're dealt with.

[Mr Plod]

Look. The damn thing is getting thinner by the week. I tried to use last weeks "tome" to make paper scrunchies to light my log fire and I could only make about 6 tops. I can get 30 out of a daily record. Not good. 9 out of 10 cats say "The couriers nae use for lightin fires"

[Bexy]

Look. The damn thing is getting thinner by the week. I tried to use last weeks "tome" to make paper scrunchies to light my log fire and I could only make about 6 tops. I can get 30 out of a daily record. Not good. 9 out of 10 cats say "The couriers nae use for lightin fires"

Well if you don't understand why the Campbeltown Courier is a lot 'thinner' than the Dairy Record, then you clearly must only buy newspapers to make 'paper scrunchies'! This begs the question; why are you buying the Campbeltown Courier?! If you don't like it, don't buy it, but what's the point buying it to slag on here?!

[zeus]

Look. The damn thing is getting thinner by the week. I tried to use last weeks "tome" to make paper scrunchies to light my log fire and I could only make about 6 tops. I can get 30 out of a daily record. Not good. 9 out of 10 cats say "The couriers nae use for lightin fires"

I agree the content of the courier seems to be at an all time low, maybe its time for a change of editor

[Bexy]

I agree the content of the courier seems to be at an all time low, maybe its time for a change of editor

That's a bit harsh! Perhaps everyone on here who has such great ideas for the Courier should put some of them forward to the editor instead of writing threads on here about it, which they will probably never see. We are lucky in such a small town to have our own local newspaper, and I guarantee that most of the population in Campbeltown would miss it (and a lot of local issues) if it wasn't there!! I honestly can't see why so many people buy it and slag it. Why buy it if that's how you feel?! And isn't it funny how if you go in to the Co-op, Tesco, County, McKellars or Keith's Newagents, to name a few, practically every person at the checkout has a Courier in their hand on a Friday morning!

[zeus]

I agree the content of the courier seems to be at an all time low, maybe its time for a change of editor

That's a bit harsh! Perhaps everyone on here who has such great ideas for the Courier should put some of them forward to the editor instead of writing threads on here about it, which they will probably never see. We are lucky in such a small town to have our own local newspaper, and I guarantee that most of the population in Campbeltown would miss it (and a lot of local issues) if it wasn't there!! I honestly can't see why so many people buy it and slag it. Why buy it if that's how you feel?! And isn't it funny how if you go in to the Co-op, Tesco, County, McKellars or Keith's Newagents, to name a few, practically every person at the checkout has a Courier in their hand on a Friday morning!

So you are the voice of Campbeltown are you?
You can guarantee and speak for the majority of Campbeltown
Rather presumptuous to say that most of the population of Campbeltown woulds miss the courier, it might be better just giving your own opinion ...

[Bexy]

Well obviously I can't literally guarantee they would miss it. But seeing as people continue to buy it week in, week out, despite their issues with it, they obviously think they are going to miss something if they don't! Pretty much everything we all write on here is in our own opinions, I would have thought that was obvious though!

[Nomad]

But seeing as people continue to buy it week in, week out, despite their issues with it, they obviously think they are going to miss something if they don't!

it's Campbeltown, aka "the centre of the universe". of course they will miss something if they don;t buy it! (are you local by any chance? I am- i never miss an issue )

personally i think your comment of "everyone has a copy in their hand on a friday morning" adds nothing to the discussion. it's the day it comes out afterall! i have equally seen piles & piles of unsold copies on saturday, sunday, monday, tuesday, wednesday & thursday. i don;t see what you're getting at.

People who "do" buy the courier, buy for a number of reasons.

MY OPINION is....

1. some people buy it for the useful local information it contains (even when it's a week late)
2. some people buy it as they like to spot the spelling errors and story inaccuracies (very rare )
3. some people combine the first two and then attempt to light their fire with that week's copy (paper allowing). (see poster above)
4. some people like to read the hatches/ matches/ dispatches.

i fit into the category of the first 3. some other people in this thread fit into some of others.... but that's why "I" buy the courier.

i enjoy nothing more than getting my copy on a friday and reading from front to back in 5 mins or less and being fully up to date (a week ago) with the local news.

keep up the good work Courier!

[Mzz pasico]

I buy the Courier every week,......and every week i moan there's nothing in it! Still carry on purchasing it tho!

[Mr Plod]

Too late Bexy - I never buy it now, so telling me not to buy it if I don't like it is a bit late.

The wife buys it - and the Daily double glazing advert, sorry, the Daily Record.

I buy The Independent. It's 25p dearer and it's a good read. And I can light 4 log fires with it. and still have enough left over to roll up and make a half decent "Midgie-Whacker". Which is really good value for money.

Face it, the CampbeltownTarbertLochgilpheadArdrishaigIslay Courier has lost it's way. It's too thin, both on substance and on content. That is down to EDITORIAL and not readership input. It's up to the editor to make sure there is sufficient content to appeal to the readership. It's not my job to provide copy to the editor. I'm a reader. My job is to buy it, and, assuming I can actually read, devour the content.

There's tons of really interesting local stuff going on that is just not getting mentioned in the courier. It used to. But it's not now. Is this because people are not phoning in or writing in with stuff of interest? I doubt it.

My wife used to keep her Couriers as there were always stories involving people she knew. Not now. And this lack of content in this vein must be annoying to people overseas who rely on it for this type of content, to keep abreast of events.

And who says "people are still buying it"? Has there been a reliable indication that sales are static at the same level they were say 5 years ago. Cos 5 years ago I did buy it - but I'm not now. And I know more than a few people who no longer bother to read it let alone buy it.

I actually know more than one person who only buys it for the Births, deaths and marriages page "Och naebiddy we know this week big fella - here see if ye kin light the fire wi that - wan match, nae firelighters - an' ah'm timin ye!"

Worse than that, I was standing at the paper stand in tesco switherin as to whether to blow £4 on a motorbike rag or not, and a wee old man , perusing his intended Courier purchase at the Kiosk queue turned to his wife and went "Och - it's fu' o' bloody Dookers again" Which earned him a dunt in the ribs and a "Wheesht!" from his wife. But he was a Campbeltown Courier Stalwart. He bought it. Highly commendable

The solution is probably simple I suppose. Work out why it was so successful 10 years ago and go back to that editorial model.

[jdcarra]

I buy the Courier every week,......and every week i moan there's nothing in it! Still carry on purchasing it tho!

And like most of us who have been buying it for years .

Too late Bexy - I never buy it now, so telling me not to buy it if I don't like it is a bit late.

The wife buys it - and the Daily double glazing advert, sorry, the Daily Record.

I buy The Independent. It's 25p dearer and it's a good read. And I can light 4 log fires with it. and still have enough left over to roll up and make a half decent "Midgie-Whacker". Which is really good value for money.

Face it, the CampbeltownTarbertLochgilpheadArdrishaigIslay Courier has lost it's way. It's too thin, both on substance and on content. That is down to EDITORIAL and not readership input. It's up to the editor to make sure there is sufficient content to appeal to the readership. It's not my job to provide copy to the editor. I'm a reader. My job is to buy it, and, assuming I can actually read, devour the content.

There's tons of really interesting local stuff going on that is just not getting mentioned in the courier. It used to. But it's not now. Is this because people are not phoning in or writing in with stuff of interest? I doubt it.

My wife used to keep her Couriers as there were always stories involving people she knew. Not now. And this lack of content in this vein must be annoying to people overseas who rely on it for this type of content, to keep abreast of events.

And who says "people are still buying it"? Has there been a reliable indication that sales are static at the same level they were say 5 years ago. Cos 5 years ago I did buy it - but I'm not now. And I know more than a few people who no longer bother to read it let alone buy it.

I actually know more than one person who only buys it for the Births, deaths and marriages page "Och naebiddy we know this week big fella - here see if ye kin light the fire wi that - wan match, nae firelighters - an' ah'm timin ye!"

Worse than that, I was standing at the paper stand in tesco switherin as to whether to blow £4 on a motorbike rag or not, and a wee old man , perusing his intended Courier purchase at the Kiosk queue turned to his wife and went "Och - it's fu' o' bloody Dookers again" Which earned him a dunt in the ribs and a "Wheesht!" from his wife. But he was a Campbeltown Courier Stalwart. He bought it. Highly commendable

The solution is probably simple I suppose. Work out why it was so successful 10 years ago and go back to that editorial model.

An excellent post Mr Plod with your views and may be many others including myself.Yes,i still buy it,but as mentioned we have lost our paper that we had many years ago.I raised the issue with editorial years back as to why so much outwith Campbeltown was being printed,I am meaning Tarbert/Lochgiphead and Oban when they all have papers for their areas.

As mentioned already and it has happened to me submitting articles and not being printed/or printed but low key.
What gets my heckles up are a full page of an event in say Tarbert,well out with the Campbeltown area than something going on in Machrihanish or even Carradale. We need a boundery for our local paper and to make an effort to pass on any events/functions or news to the editorial staff local.This weeks District news was very poor.I see no Carradale mentioned yet there is ongoing events/news which they sometimes take (Courier) from my website The Carradale Goat and like many other local websites around the community.
I do not know who decides what goes were and what is printed but our two Campbeltown staff Joanne and Ruth should be left to do our Courier and the other company staff their areas covering the Squeak/Argyllshire Advertiser and the Oban Times.
Just my thoughts not to cause any riots.

[Mr Plod]

This is true JD. But I'm wondering if the problem is this?

Every single major commercial company in this country seems to be obsessed with one thing and one thing only - SALES GROWTH. They are not interested in sustaining customer base or maintaining quality of product. Just sales growth, which keeps shareholders happy as it increases their dividends.

So I'm wondering if some ambitious hotshot "Guided Missile" style manager up the road has decided "Hey - I know, if we include stuff from all over argyll, with photos and stories from those areas, people from there, and not just campbeltown will buy it too!! And that will increase sales. And if we half the number of pages and bump the price up to 75p that will cut overheads and increase profits at the same time" Because that's what it looks like to me. Cynic that I am.