Wherever people live they want to know what is happening in their community.
Whether it is a Women’s Institute meeting, a street party, a new Neighbourhood Watch group or a church service, people are keen to find out what’s going on.
For them, the Telegraph & Argus is a vital source of information. Not only does it provide local news stories that affect the area, but it brings news from the heart of communities.
Written by community correspondents, the paper’s Community News section gives local people a platform to pass on details of events taking place in their locality.
Monica Leyburn became a community correspondent in 1992 after spotting an advert in the T&A.
The job fitted in with her work and family commitments as well as supplementing her income.
“It appealed to me as I used to be a special constable and I enjoyed going out and meeting members of the public, and helping people,” she said. As well as feeding through information about events, the role has led to her being asked questions about all sorts of issues.
“I find that people ring to ask me about lots of things such as noisy neighbours, so I direct them to the right place,” she said.
Monica, 69, covers Apperley Bridge, Greengates, Ravenscliffe, Eccleshill, Bolton, Idle, Thackley and her home village of Wrose. Part of the job involves taking photographs to accompany news items. “I enjoys taking pictures,” she said. “This week I took one of the Lord Mayor opening playing fields in Wrose and today I’m taking one of a birthday cake being cut at a toddler group.”
Peter Walker covers Oakenshaw, Low Moor, Norwood Green and Wyke, where he lives. “I started ten years ago and the job has kept me up to date with what is happening in the village,” he said.
His involvement with a host of local organisations including churches, a local history group and a bowling club, has helped. “And I walk up and down near my home almost every day and chat to people,” he said. “People know me and come up to ask me about things – even things like when the rubbish will be collected.”
Peter, 76, is proud of his role. He said: “I know the pages are very well read as a great many people stop me and say they read it, which is great to know.”
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