Whats On Oswestry

Hard pressed

Newspapers are supposed to be in decline. Shrinking circulation, vanishing titles and journalism job cuts have been offered as proof that the industry is suffering a slow death.

Papers have followed their readers and advertisers online where they are competing with media that allow people to share information and quickly find news that is relevant to them.

Coupled with the impact of a fierce recession, it might seem like a bad time to launch a local newspaper.

But that is what has happened in two parts of Wales recently.

The first edition of the free Oswestry and Border Chronicle landed on doormats in Powys in March and the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Observer has recently launched in Pembrokeshire.

Two new titles might seem to buck the trend of a contracting industry.

The regional journalism website Hold The Front Page heralded the publication of the Oswestry and Border Chronicle as the start of a "newspaper war".

Its owners, Midland News Association, is distributing about 14,000 free copies and selling 1,000 more in and around Oswestry and Welshpool putting it in competition with the Powys County Times.

Associate editor Graham Breeze admitted: "It's unusual for any newspaper to launch at the moment in this climate.

"It's going extremely well. The reception we had from readers and advertisers has been unbelievable.

"It has created for advertisers a healthy situation because two organisations are vying for their business."

"I think the demand is very much there for absolutely local news," Mr Breeze said.

"It's the very local news that people still want and where newspapers have the advantage."

Prof Bob Franklin, of Cardiff University School of Journalism, said: "The broad philosophy is that in a local market the way to be successful is being local.

Oswestry not giving up on division three dream » Oswestry Chronicle

OSWESTRY have not given up on their promotion dreams in the Birmingham Cricket League division three – with skipper Mark Robinson challenging his side to go the rest of the season unbeaten.

With nine games left, the Morda Road men remain in touching distance of the top two after last Saturday’s impressive winning draw against high-flying Barnards Green.

That performance showed their credentials and left the border side 34 points adrift of the promotion places as they look to step up the pressure in the coming weeks.

“Last week’s result has proved we’re as good as anyone in the league when we play like that,” said Robinson

“We have let ourselves down in some of the games as we’ve probably been a bit complacent.

“We’ve already lost four games which is disappointing as we’d only expect to lose four games during the whole season.

“It was imperative we didn’t lose last Saturday and our aim now is to go the rest of the season unbeaten, which we’re more than capable of doing. We certainly believe we can still go up.”

However, Oswestry must do without skipper Robinson for Saturday’s home clash with Coleshill, and his vice captain Alex Huxley, who are both attending the wedding of a friend just down the road in the town.

“I can’t remember the last time I missed a game, but I hope to keep in touch with what’s going on,” said Robinson

Warrick Fynn, fresh from his superb unbeaten 156 last week, will lead the side, while the Morda Road men are boosted by the return of Nick Williams after work commitments.

Kevin Evans also steps back into the bowling attack while young slow left armer Charlie Morris makes his debut, replacing Jack Harris who is also unavailable.

On the back of a good run of two wins and a winning draw, Oswestry will look to maintain the momentum against a Coleshill side who, despite lying just one place below, are 56 points behind their hosts.

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