Back in the Summer of 2012 the idea of About Tameside started to grow having seen successful magazines in Saddleworth, Mossley and Stalybridge it seemed an opportunity to create something new. The original size of the magazine was A4 when we launched and it was quite a weighty tome for people to pick up and that size stayed with us until April 2015. The current size is just a step down but made all the difference to our readers being easier to pick up and to ensure more copies in the outlets too.
So November 2012 our debut issue hit the streets with a cover for Children In Need featuring children from Flowery Field School in Hyde. That first issue also had a story about a newly formed charity, Reuben’s Retreat, and a variety of advertisers – some of which have continued to support us through the years that have helped the magazine grow. We have never missed a monthly issue in all those years – even during the pandemic we still were able to get copies out through Tameside Markets, shopping centres and Aldi stores.
One of the principals with the magazine is to be positive – promoting many of the great charites and community organisations – and to show the importance of our small local businesses across Tameside. Although we all know there are lots of negatives out there we focus on some of the great achievements of individuals, showcase great events and hopefully entertain with our features – the quiz I know is a favourite.
I’m also proud to work with a wonderful group of people who keep the magazine lively and interesting with their contributions and support each month. I’d like to thank Jon Hall, Ivan Freeman, Eileen Gravener, Kyle Mahoney, Luke Astill Boardman, Garry Cullen, Steven King, Lyn Williams, Jaguar Design, Tameside Storage Centre, Ladysmith Shopping Centre, Cineworld, Sam Shaw, Nicola Martin, Manic Manc Photography, Jan Lord, Howard Murphy, Warren Brookes, Andrew Richardson, Jill Morris, and Massimo Malacrino. Of course I was delighted that some of them could join me for our celebration event at Tameside One. My thanks to David Scanlan and Damian Cox for all their assistance in organising the event.
Producing the magazine, especially in the current climate is challenging and I’d like thank Tameside Council, Tameside College, Tameside Markets and Active Tameside for their important and vital support. Together with our regular advertisers like Decisions, Iyengar Yoga, New Shu, Guide Bridge MOT, Bromleys, Tameside Taxis, Grade A, K&D Freeman and many others.
Finally thank you to Executive Leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Ged Cooney and Principal of Tameside College Jackie Moores for helping us celebrate 10 years. My ambition is that we will be celebrating our 20th Anniversary with an even stronger heritage of serving our community, our advertisers and our readers.
Thank you everyone
Kevin Taylor BEM
Editor
