The Weardale Gazette is an independent community newspaper serving a large, mainly rural district centred on Stanhope. It is published fortnightly by the Weardale Publishing and Printing Company Limited, operating with a small team of full and part-time staff. The Gazette aims to promote unbiased, accurate information on diverse local issues. It also provides a medium for readers to contribute opinion, discussion and debate.

The Weardale Publishing and Printing Company Limited is registered company no. 2718203, England.
Its registered office is: 6 Market Place, Stanhope, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham, DL13 2UJ.

The Directors of the Weardale Gazette are:

The main stages in the development of the newspaper are outlined below:

• Following a "Weardale Awareness" meeting in 1986, a group of volunteers decided that a local newspaper would be a good idea.
• October 1987 saw the first (free) 12-page issue in print. A further eight followed from the loaned accommodation in Stanhope market-place as public support for the project grew.
• In 1988, a new board created a private company limited by guarantee. Grants were obtained for equipment, and Blue Circle Cement at Eastgate kindly donated a Portakabin on their site as a permanent office.
• By 1990, debts were rising - production costs exceeded advertising revenue - so a 30p charge was made for the paper.
• In 1992 it was clear that the only way forward was to expand and inject capital. A new limited liability company, the Weardale Publishing and Printing Company, was launched and 25,000 one pound shares were offered to local residents. A room in the Durham Dales Centre, Stanhope, was rented to improve location and create a small public sales outlet.
• As it became desirable to consolidate in larger premises, 1997 saw the Gazette move to its present home in Stanhope market-place, courtesy of loans from directors and friends.
• 2001 saw the haunting devastation of foot-and-mouth disease sweep the area to the detriment of many businesses, the Gazette included. Belts were tightened, the company survived and the compensatory grants that followed allowed a timely update of our IT equipment.
• August 2002 saw the start of a fortnightly print-run instead of the previous monthly issues. Originally an experiment, the new format has quickly become well established.
• 2003 - European matched-funding from Leader Plus has enabled the company to proceed with new technology and more efficient premises so that it can maintain or even expand its role as an independent community newspaper.

The Weardale Gazette is published at the beginning of each month and again mid-way through the month, though in January it is now customary to substitute a single issue. Although it lapsed in 2002, a December magazine has been re-introduced since 2003.

In addition to the Gazette office in Stanhope, local shops and businesses throughout the area are used as sales outlets. For the convenience of those readers unable to collect their Gazette personally, a postal subscription is available. (Click for details)

in the current issue......