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New claimant comes forward for ‘UK’s smallest newspaper’ crown

A new claimant to the title of ‘UK’s smallest newspaper’ has come forward – 24 hours after a recently-founded start-up laid claim to the honour.

As reported yesterday, the Tarporley News, which consists of one double-sided sheet of A3, styles itself as the UK’s smallest paper such in print.

However, former Coventry Telegraph deputy editor Charles Barker has now come forward to suggest his own venture, The Avenews, should be considered a candidate for the ‘UK’s smallest’ crown.

The Avenews, pictured below, covers just over 100 homes in the Coventry suburb of Stoke Park, which consists of North, South, East, West and Central Avenues – hence its name.

Avenews

The monthly publication consists of a full colour two-sided A4 newsletter, featuring stories about parking rows, controversial planning applications, crime, human interest, and nostalgia.

By contrast, the weekly Tarporley News consists of one portrait A3 sheet, double-sided.

Charles had a 30-year career in the regional press working for newspapers including the Northampton Chronicle & Echo and the Wolverhampton Express & Star, as well as shift work on several national newspapers.

As well as working on The Avenews, he also offers voluntary PR and media services for the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre.

Charles told HTFP: “I’m sure Tarporley News is excellent in every way, and I hate to disappoint its founders, but I’m afraid it’s far from being the country’s smallest newspaper.”

He added: “The Avenews was launched in its present form in April last year by myself, a happily retired journalist on behalf of the Stoke Park Residents’ Group.

“Modesty prevents me from telling you how popular The Avenews is, but it is rumoured that some people are collecting and keeping their copies.”

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