The treatment of farmers and the agriculture industry by the Government has been compared by a leading editor with the treatment meted out to the coal industry. Barrie Williams, of the Western Morning News, has witnessed first-hand a decline in
Barrie Williams
What we have written about Barrie Williams
Morning News takes lead in focus on local produce
The Western Morning News has immersed itself into local life by leading a new move to persuade people to build a healthy regional economy. In a region devastated by foot and mouth disease, the paper has seized the moment to
Editors unite in fight for foot and mouth public inquiry
Regional papers from across the country are linking up to fight for a full public inquiry into foot and mouth disease. The Western Morning news is working with The Journal, Newcastle, the Western Mail and trade magazine Farmers Weekly to
Foot & mouth 'off the agenda' in election purdah
Page 1 of 2 The pre-election ban on Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food press conferences has come under fire from editors in the Westcountry, who claim the “purdah” could sweep foot and mouth under the carpet until voting is
Western Morning News on the small screen again
Hold The Front Page, the television documentary about life at the Western Morning News, is currently enjoying a second showing on UK Horizons, the satellite and cable station. This is the first opportunity viewers outside the West Country have had
Replies flood in on Euro currency debate
The Western Morning News has received more than 3,000 replies to its Euro referendum. Readers are being invited to cut out a referendum form and tick a choice of Britain joining the single European currency either “Never” or “When the
Euro poll for readers
A paper that clearly sets out its stall on most issues in the public eye has taken care to see both sides of the argument on the Single European Currency. Now, the Western Morning News is launching a referendum among
Editor's busy signing session
Western Morning News Editor Barrie Williams has been busy signing his name to help readers mark the 140th anniversary of the Plymouth-based paper. As part of the celebrations, the newspaper has reproduced a Westcountry scene from its own unique and
– celebrating 140 years
Staff and readers are this week celebrating 140 years of reporting from the Western Morning News. The paper, launched in 1860, kicked off its special week by reproducing a copy of its very first edition for every reader. And it’s
It's not all beer and skittles, says Bob
Bob Turner went to the pub seven years ago…but now he’s back. A journalist for 27 years, Bob left the Nottingham Evening Post in 1993 for a complete career change to become a licensee. Now, after successfully running a number
TV shows race to deadline
A regional newspaper’s battle to beat the nationals on a breaking story about the Ulster peace process will be shown on television tonight. Part 2 of Hold the Front Page follows editor Barrie Williams and senior editorial staff of the
TV spotlight on Plymouth paper
Editor Barrie Williams outside the Western Morning News nautical glass HQ A six-part TV documentary about the Western Morning News begins next month. Called Hold The Front Page (no relation to this website) it will be screened in Carlton’s West
Archive treasures revealed by editor's grandson
A newspaper which is 140 years old this year has gained a wealth of historical material to enrich its anniversary supplement. Bombing during the Second World War destroyed many of the early archives of the Western Morning News at Plymouth.
Newspaper ready to publish after beating Govt gag
The Western Morning News has won its secrecy battle with the Government over making public a report into repairs to a leaky tunnel at the gateway to Cornwall. The row blew up when a local MP found that a Highways
Save lives with Fred
Readers in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset are being given the chance to support Fred – and save lives. Fred, in this instance, is a mobile machine to treat heart attacks, and the campaign is a joint venture between the Western
UK regional press campaigns
Fighting injustice and pulling in cash Regional newspapers across the UK are demonstrating their campaigning zeal on issues ranging from the state of playground swings to the allocation of Government cash. One of the most vigorous campaigns has been waged