South Hams Newspapers

The communities we serve: We serve a diverse number of communities in four major towns in the South Hams area of South Devon

Our approach to local news: Our approach to news is bringing the stories that matter in the heart of our communities into our print and online titles. We continue to uphold the philosophy that Sir Ray Tindle championed; local names, faces and places. We work hard to make sure we act as ambassadors in those communities and we’re not afraid to question local authorities on behalf of our readers.

What is great about the area we serve: The areas which we serve are rich in history and each hold their own unique culture and identity. Even though the landscape of journalism has changed around these areas, residents still rely on our publications to bring them the news in their areas, and our readers don’t hold back if we don’t deliver. People here are passionate about their stories being told and this encourages us on a daily basis.

How we help advertising clients: With local knowledge and a strong understanding of the opportunities offered by our print and digital platforms, advertising colleagues help business clients market their goods and services to reach more customers. Whenever our advertisers need editorial support we are there to help them. We’ve covered everything from fundraising events, fun runs, coffee mornings, awareness campaigns that are close to their staff members’ hearts and competitions.

“We can’t count the amount of times where we have been thanked for our contribution to our communities.”

- South Hams Gazette

How we make a difference: In editorial we anecdotally describe our jobs sometimes, as being part journalist and part counsellor. We can’t count the amount of times where we have been thanked for our contribution to our communities through highlighting access to schemes that helps those in need, such as heating poverty schemes, or by directing people to communities and groups where they can make friends, enjoy walks, join like minded people or just pick up rubbish on a Sunday and get free tea and cake for their efforts. Often when we’ve helped highlight the efforts of fundraisers we get calls thanking us for the publicity and how by telling their story has often led to huge funding boosts. We connect people who want to find long lost friends and sometimes we’re just there to talk to lonely individuals in our community. And when 85-year old Margaret wants to speak to us about something that will likely never go into print we won’t hang up because it’s part of our job as local reporters and part of what makes us different from nationals.

Our history: Our titles Kingsbridge and Salcombe Gazette, Ivybridge and South Brent Gazette, Totnes Times and Dartmouth Chronicle are four weekly paid for titles which serve an 886 square km area in South Devon known as the South Hams.