A NEW community editor has been appointed for your local newspaper.
Currently shadowing outgoing editor Rachel Norris, the Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser’s newly appointed community editor Danielle Kenneally started this week and is due to take over the reins fully the week following the Common Riding.
Born in St Helens in Merseyside, she comes to the role with experience from her degree in English and her Masters in Journalism, as well as an NCTJ qualification and shorthand.
She has spent the last two years in the Channel Islands in Guernsey working as a reporter for the local newspaper, the Guernsey Press.
In addition, she is involved in the news editor role for music website Silent Radio.
Excited to begin a new chapter in her career, she said she was looking forward to getting stuck into life in the community and meeting the locals.
‘Everyone I have met so far has been very welcoming and friendly,’ she said.
‘I’ve heard great things about the paper, the people involved in its weekly production and the locals and volunteers who support it and make it happen – to become a part of that is a lovely feeling.
‘It has been hugely successful since it was established and in two years’ time will be celebrating its dodransbicentennial despite challenges over the years including most recently the Covid pandemic.’
She added there was plenty too look forward to for the future.
‘From those I’ve spoken to so far, there is lots so much happening and with an anniversary on the horizon for the paper, it is an exciting time with many more exciting years to come,’ she said.
‘I cannot wait to see what the Eskdale and Liddesdale has to offer and really get to know the community and its people at the heart of life in these valleys.’
The Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser newspaper has quietly been going about its business since the community buyout from the Cumbria News Group in 2017, and is currently in the process of making the publication sustainable as it works at the moment at a loss due to the effect of the pandemic on advertising revenue.
This restructure is designed to ensure the paper has a long-term future serving its communities both in print and online and with the continued support of its readers and voluntary contributors.
Responsibilities of the new community editor’s includes all aspects of the business, particularly editorial content, social media, community engagement and volunteer recruitment as well as advertising sales and other commercial activities.
All staff will then report to the community editor who will report to the board of the paper via its chairman.
In addition to the departure of Ms Norris, who leaves in early August, Muckle Toon Media’s chairman David Stevenson will be retiring and will be succeeded as chairman by John Hammond.