The Independent Publishers’ Forum of the Newspaper Society, which meets four times a year to discuss issues affecting such companies, has been elected for the next three years.
The Forum now comprises: John Dickinson (chairman, Garnett Dickinson Publishing), Robin Freeman (managing director, Isle of Wight County Press), Sir Nicholas Hewitt (chairman and managing director, Barnsley Chronicle), Hubert Hirst (executive chairman, Hirst, Kidd & Rennie), Roger Parlby (managing director, Newark Advertiser), John Robertson (deputy chairman, Newbury Weekly News Group), Jeremy Spooner (managing director, Baylis & Co – Maidenhead Advertiser), and Russell Whitehair (chairman, North Wales Newspapers).

In a warm-up for England’s fateful Euro 2004 football quarter-final, a side from Archant Norfolk’s Eastern Daily Press took on a Portuguese side – and in contrast to the national team a few days later won the “friendly” 5-3.
There are between 15,000 and 20,000 Portuguese people living legally in Norfolk, and sadly, some of the reporting team that took part were filing copy on violence in Thetford after the match which knocked England out of the championship.

South Bucks Star reporter and snowboarder Jemma Pearce raised £220 for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund by donning a gorilla suit for a snowboarding event near Castleford, Leeds.
She told readers afterwards: “The day was great fun. Everyone was enthusiastic, but I think we did leave rather a lot of black hairballs on the slope afterwards.”

The Dorset Echo’s lonely hearts column has scored a hit with cupid’s arrow, bringing together Marion Usher and Alan Eaton, who plan to tie the knot in September.
Marion, (60), said it took her a while to pluck up the courage to place her ad in the Two’s Company column, but took the plunge and met Alan (58).

A 40ft container filled with practical aid for displaced and destitute children in northern Uganda could be on its way soon, thanks to a new appeal launched by the Coventry Evening Telegraph.
Editor Alan Kirby said: “This is a chance to make a real difference to the lives of youngsters in very real need.”

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