Press Release: 26 April 2024
An online news service for the Ashfield district of Nottinghamshire has been launched. Ashfield Neighbour News will provide news coverage for Kirkby, Sutton, Hucknall and other areas in the district.
It is the brainchild of Gavin Drake, a 54 year old journalist who moved to the district two years ago. Until November last year, when his role was made redundant, Drake was the director of communications for the global Anglican Communion of churches. He has also worked in communications roles for the Diocese of Lichfield and the Evangelical Alliance.
Drake has extensive experience as a journalist, having started his career on a music magazine, Cross Rhythms, before switching to news reporting covering Devon and Cornwall for most of the UK’s national newspapers and media outlets, including Sky News, LBC and Reuters TV. He has also reported for BBC Radio Four and was a regular contributor to the Church Times.
Ashfield Neighbour News is just one project of Church Street Bureau, a new media company he runs. In the coming weeks a new website highlighting the many theatrical productions and musical events in Nottinghamshire will be launched as well as a new podcast featuring news from the global Church. Drake will also continue to write for national media outlets through Church Street Bureau.
“When I moved to Kirkby I was surprised to hear so many local people talk the area down”, Drake said. “Kirkby has its problems, but so do all areas; and there is also much to celebrate here.
“Ashfield Neighbour News will cover the good and the bad and provide local people with a reliable and trustworthy source of news and information in the district”.
Ashfield Neighbour News will be funded by local advertising. Its website has been live for seven weeks but operated “under the radar” while base content was built and the site developed. The media pack will be available next week.
ENDS
Notes:
- Ashfield Neighbour News can be found at ashfield.neighbour.news.
- Church Street Bureau’s website is at churchstreet.pro.
- Press releases can be sent to .
- Social media links for Ashfield Neighbour News include:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshfieldNeighbourNews
X: https://twitter.com/ashfield_news