The Cheddar Valley Gazette is getting into the spirit of its 50th anniversary this year by offering an unusual service to readers…
It is giving them the chance to find out what was going on on the day they were born, by searching the archives to see what was making the headlines.

Cornwall and Devon Media, which runs the West Briton, the Cornishman and Cornish Guardian, North Devon Journal and Mid Devon Gazette, has taken over ownership of the UK’s longest-running surfing magazine Wavelength.
The 22-year-old magazine now plans to expand its photo-led stories, add new sections and features on surfing in the UK and abroad, and have more big-name interviews. Other investments to be made by CDM will include new promotional and distribution activity such as outlet expansion, increasing subscriber numbers and a presence at events.

An anonymous donor has contributed £50,000 to the Breast Cancer Appeal run by the Eastern Daily Press.
Officials at the bank where it was paid in are prevented from revealing the identity of the person or group who made the payment – but confirmed that a quarter of the appeal target was paid into the account in a single donation.

The Nottingham Evening Post’s new women’s lifestyle supplement was due to be published for the first time today.
Gloss, a 12-page full colour supplement, includes platforms such as Scrub Up For Spring, Bars Reviewed, Heels on Wheels, City Living and Career Case Studies. The next issue is due to be published in June.

The Western Morning News has launched a renewed attack on the Government for its handling of the 2001 foot and mouth crisis. It has been exclusively carrying evidence from Government vet Jim Dring, who told the Lessons to be Learned inquiry that the disaster could have been prevented if he had been more rigorous after the initial outbreak.
Editor Barrie Williams wrote: “The bad smell is back – because his important admissions had been kept secret until now by a Government that, throughout the disaster and ever since, has tried desperately to cover its own back, while behaving with appalling indifference, and sometimes downright cruelty, to the rural community.”

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]