Page 3 - link magazine

swindonlink.com • January 2009 3
30 years on - a model for the future of printed news

By Link magazine publisher Roger Ogle
How things change, and don’t change. When the first edition of the then un-named publication arrived
at the first 600 homes in West Swindon in December 1978, the Bank of England base rate stood at an eye-
watering 17 per cent; now it’s 2 per cent. Make money
There have been about four
economic downturns over the last with Usborne
30 years but The Link has come Enjoy building an exciting,
through them and continued suc- profitable business selling Usborne’s
cessfully. award-winning children’s books to
By comparison to today’s glossy parents, playgroups and schools
colourful magazine, The Link in the Start earning from day one
early days was a primitive cut and For details and to join today:
paste, stapled together, eight pager www.usborneonline.org/
produced by a group of volunteers Janes_books
bashing out stories on an old type- Tel: 0777 2873455
writer with a fading ribbon.
By January 1987, it was clear
that the newsletter could not be
sustained as it had grown to 16
pages with a print run of 8,000 every
six weeks. It did not appear often
enough to keep up with the news,
the volunteers were moving onto
other things and the small army of
distributors was dwindling away. Thamesdown Council ran a competition to name the new West Swindon leisure
The Link either had to disap- centre. The Link newsletter entered and was chosen to christen the Link Centre in Serving Swindon
pear or become more relevant to April 1984. The volunteers, pictured from left, Nick Jansen, Thamesdown Council
its readership. In April 1987, it leader Tony Mayer, Janice Oliver, Roger Ogle, who went on to publish the magazine for 90 years
was relaunched as a professionally and Eric Edwards. Sharon McColl, front, from Old Town also suggested the name Legal problems?
produced monthly, featuring the Link for the centre
opening of Greendown School by Charitable Trust and the goodwill of is a great deal of trust between the We have the answers
Princess Anne on the front page. local printers. But from mid-1979, magazine, its readership and its
Two features of The Link have Swindon business has sustained commercial supporters. It’s a key, Telephone 526601
remained the same. It has always The Link with advertising. Obvi- valued relationship which we work www.morrisonandmasters.co.uk
been free and it has contained a ously we’ve been doing something hard to enhance. Morrison & Masters Ltd
high editorial and visual content. So right for the advertisers and we
many people tell us they read The must give them a big thank you for
Debt Problems?
Link from ‘cover-to-cover’ because placing their business with us. Debt Problems? CYCLe rePAIrS
of the high quality news, views and But more importantly, even
Refused a Loan?
useful information. greater appreciation should go to Refused a Loan? Free collection
We can help you
The first editions relied on you, the readers, for responding to We can help you & delivery from
Thamesdown Council, Hambro Life the advertisements. It means there home or work
For FREE LOCAL no obligation
A name to keep people in touch advice and a solution that’s right ★ Servicing & repairs
• Geoff Richmond came up with the idea for a newsletter shortly after for you call Glyn in confidence at Over 25 yrs ★ New cycles
experience
★ Parts & accessories
Swindon Debt Helpline on:
moving to Toothill with his young family.
• The first edition in December 1978 ran a competition to name it and 0800 043 1982 Safety alert
twelve year old Malcolm Patrick from Toothill suggested the new publi- or Bikes bought on the internet
cation be called Toothill Link because it would connect people together Swindon (01793) 331319 or mail order must be checked
through the information it would carry. Free home visits available before being ridden. CALL NOW
• The name soon changed to The Link as West Swindon expanded. In fOr fAst, frieNdLy serviCe
1994 we started distribution in Haydon Wick, then Abbey Meads and later www.swindondebthelpline.co.uk
Priory Vale, to provide a quality publication with essential information as Licensed Debt Counsellor Phil Mitchell: 874873 day or eve.
soon as people moved into their new homes. OFT Licence No. 595229 or 07850 650956 (mobile)
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