TheCambrian Newsis a weeklynewspaperdistributed inWales.It was founded in 1860 and is based in Cefn Llan Science Park,Aberystwyth.Cambrian News Ltd was bought by media entrepreneurSir Ray Tindlein 1998.[2]
 | |
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Tabloid |
| Owner(s) | Tindle Newspaper Group |
| Editor | Mick O'Reilly |
| Founded | 1860 |
| Political alignment | centrist |
| Language | predominantlyEnglishandWelsh |
| Headquarters | Aberystwyth |
| Circulation | 5,685 (as of 2023)[1] |
| Website | cambrian-news |
History
editThe paper was first published inBalain October 1860, as a four-page supplement,The Merioneth Herald,inThe Oswestry Advertiser.Having subsequently become a distinct paper printed inOswestry,England, in 1864 it became theMerionethshire Standard and Mid-Wales Herald[3]and, in 1869, was renamedThe Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard.[3][4]In 1870 it was bought by SirJohn Gibson,who moved the headquarters to Aberystwyth in 1873, but kept printing in Oswestry[5][4]under themastheadofThe Cambrian News, Merionethshire Standard, and Aberystwyth Times.[6]
Politically, it was aLiberal-leaning newspaper, and supported the election of the first Liberal M.P. forMerionethshirein 1868.[4]
Move to Aberystwyth
editIn May 1880, the company integrated editorial and printing in a formermalthousein Mill Street, Aberystwyth. The paper was then namedThe Cambrian News, Merionethshire Standard, and Welsh Farmers' Gazette.[7]Later Gibson built a printing office and stationer's shop in Terrace Road where the paper was printed for over 60 years—well into the 20th century—before moving to Queen Street and Grays Inn Road by 1980.[4]
In 1915 the business was sold to a new company chaired by A. E. Harrison ofCardiffas managing director andLord Rhonddaas one of its directors. In 1916 Robert Read, from theSouth Wales Echowas hired as managing editor. The same year it produced a uniqueEisteddfod Reviewsouvenir of theWelsh National Eisteddfodthat was held in Aberystwyth. In 1917 the paper opened a successful London office which was followed by the appointment of representatives in Liverpool, Manchester and Cardiff.[8]
In 1926, Henry Read, Robert's father, bought the paper and became managing director. In the 1930s, Robert Read became the major shareholder, managing director and managing editor. Robert was succeeded, after his death in 1946, by his son—another Henry Read—as managing director and as managing editor by D. C. Wright.[8]
It was under his direction that, after 113 years, printing was contracted out. This enabled the move of editorial staff to the new open-plan offices on the Science Park at Llanbadarn Fawr. On the death of Henry Read, the paper was purchased by SirRay Tindle,whoseTindle Newspaper Groupowns more than 200 weekly newspapers in Britain[5]as of 2015[update].
After 146 years as abroadsheet,the paper transformed to atabloidformat in 2006.[5]
Today
editAs of January 2010[update],theCambrian Newswas the second largest newspaper in Wales, claiming a circulation of 24,000 copies in six regional editorial versions, and 60,000 weekly readers. The circulation area of mid, west and north Wales covered 3,000 square miles (7,800 km2).[5]
The paper publishes editions inBala,Criccieth,Dolgellau,Machynlleth,Porthmadog,Pwllheli,Tywyn,the entirety ofCeredigionand parts of northCarmarthenshireandPembrokeshire.It maintains offices inAberystwythandPorthmadog,having closed itsLampeteroffice in October 2008. The Aberystwyth head office was originally based in Bridge Street, before moving to Terrace Road, and Grays Inn Road. It is now produced from a unit in the town's Science Park.
In April 2010, all the weekly editions ofCambrian Newsbecame available to view as an online digital newspaper on a subscription basis.[9]
Cambrian News Ltdalso publishes the Pembrokeshire weekly paperThe County Echoand the seasonalHolidaymakermagazine.
References
edit- ^"Cambrian News".Audit Bureau of Circulations (UK).26 February 2024.Retrieved18 June2024.
- ^"Media - 1998".ukbusinesspark. 15 October 1998. Archived fromthe originalon 11 April 2011.
- ^abThe Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standardat Welsh Newspapers Online, National Library of Wales
- ^abcdLewis, W. J. (1980).Born on a Perilous Rock, Aberystwyth Past and Present.Cambrian News Ltd. p. 115.ISBN0-900439-04-1.
- ^abcd"150 year celebration".Cambrian News. 8 January 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 11 September 2011.Retrieved5 August2016.
- ^The Cambrian News, Merionethshire Standard, and Aberystwyth Times,2 July 1870
- ^"Advertising".The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard.28 May 1880.hdl:10107/3309840– via Welsh Newspapers.
- ^abBorn on a Perilous Rock, Aberystwyth Past and Present.p. 118.
- ^YourCambrian NewsOnlineArchived24 January 2011 at theWayback Machine
Sources
edit- Jones, Aled (1994)."Sir John Gibson and the Cambrian News"(PDF).Ceredigion.12(2): 57–83.Retrieved25 April2018.