Newsletter Coordinator's report for 2007/8

Jackie Fuller

A wide range of topics

By Jackie Fuller, NLCA Newsletter coordinator

Stapling is better

At the beginning of 2007 we started having the pages of the North Laine Runner stapled together by our printers and this now prevents it from falling apart when we put it through your letterboxes - a great improvement!

Paid for by advertising

We have continued to pay for the printing and other costs via the advertising revenue and my thanks especially to Paley O'Connorfor all her help with the advertising. This is a time-consuming job, even for two people sharing the work. Thanks also to the advertisersthemselves, especially those who have supported us over many years. Please use their services whenever you can and remember to say that you saw their advert in the Runner!

Distribution coordinator

In September Gabrielle Villermet had to stand down as distribution coordinator for the Runner. She had been doing the job for 14 years (since March 1993). Many thanks to Gabrielle for her conscientiousness and efficiency during all that time. The role has now been taken over by Ruth Goodalland she is proving a worthy successor in every way, so many thanks to Ruth as well.

Street reps' role

Grateful thanks also to all our Street Reps. Without them we couldn't hand deliver the Runner to every household and shop in the North Laine every two months.

Contributors

And finally, thank you to all our contributors during the past year...

At our seasonal social in December 2006 I got talking to a couple of people I hadn't met before. They introduced themselves as Lizzie Deane and Henry Bruce. It turned out that they didn't actually live in North Laine but had seen a copy of the Runner and thought they would come along to the Social to see what the NLCA was all about. They seemed very interested in the Runner and asked whether they would be eligible to write articles for it. "Of course", I said, "anyone with an interest in North Laine can write for the Runner".

Since then Lizzie has written several book reviews for the Runner, including on the revised Green Pages booklet, Without the Faith, The Definitive Guide to Brighton's Best Pubs, Backyard Brighton, Back Street Brighton, and The Deckchair Guide to Brighton & Hove.  Lizzie also wrote about the official launch of the 'Books for Amnesty' shop in Sydney St. She always finds an interesting angle for her contributions!

Henry has written several music reviews, including the showcase gig at the Prince Albert in February 2007 celebrating the release of the North Laine Benefit CD and also Brighton Live in the North Laine during September. He has twice written about the Half Marathon in aid of Sussex Beacon, which was routed through our North Laine streets in both 2007 and 2008. He also reported on a backstage tour of the Royal Pavilion and on the NLCA's wine tasting evening in October. Henry always takes his own excellent photographs to illustrate his articles.

So many thanks to Lizzie and Henry for their interest in and commitment to the Runner despite living on the other side of Queen's Road. It's great to have you on board!

Various subjects

Other articles in the Runner during the past year have covered a wide range of different topics relevant to our area, including planning, environment, parking, art, other book reviews, NLCA social events, free events in the North Laine, car clubs, autobiography, and local history (including seven pieces about the history of the Theatre Royal in celebration of its 200th anniversary during 2007). We were also pleased to include a double-page spread (with photos) about the wonderful street parties held in Over Street and Tidy Street in celebration of Car Free Day in September and to reproduce an article by Anita Roddick originally written for the Runner in 1993 in order to mark her untimely death in October 2007 - after all, the Body Shop empire started right here in the North Laine.

Finally, the current NLCA Officers have been a joy to work with during the past year and my special thanks to Sara Bragg and Mark Erickson, who are standing down as joint Secretaries at this AGM.

Future contributions

I do hope that more of you North Laine residents will contribute news and articles to the North Laine Runner in the coming year. I look forward to hearing from you! You can contact me via: northlainerunner@nlcaonline.org.uk

[Previously published in the North Laine Runner, No 191, March/April 2008]