The Evening Leader has kick-started a month long series of celebrations to mark its 30th birthday.

The family-owned newspaper, which is published by North Wales Newspapers, has editions in Wrexham, Flintshire and Chester.

It was launched in October 1973 and to mark the milestone a special party was held at the Welsh College of Horticulture.

More than 100 dignitaries from the area gathered in a huge marquee in the grounds of the college to share their memories of the paper.

North Wales Newspapers’ directors celebrate

Editor-in-chief Richard Williams said: “This is a truly momentous occasion for everyone involved with the Leader.

“It’s a time to look back and recognise the hard work that went in to setting up the Evening Leader and a time to look foward to a bright new future.”

The Evening Leader was launched in an area dominated by weekly newspapers and was welcomed by readers. Its circulation has grown steadily, currently standing at around 28,500.

It was launched on the back of a boom that soon went bust, and its first front page speculated on the less than merry prospect of “Petrol Rationing by Christmas”.

Celebrations at the Evening Leader will continue throughout the rest of October, with a series of promotions and features.

It will also be publishing a series of special supplements later this month to give readers an insight into how the paper and the area it covers has changed over the years.

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