Draft:C&B News

C&B News – originally Currie & Balerno News – is a monthly, volunteer-led print news magazine (also available as a downloadable PDF) serving five neighbouring communities in south-west Edinburgh: Currie, Balerno, Juniper Green, Baberton Mains, and Colinton.

Its first issue appeared at the beginning of February 1976; in 2011 the name was abbreviated to C&B News in belated recognition of the publication’s by-then well-established coverage of neighbouring Juniper Green (from 1979) and Baberton Mains (from 1982). Coverage officially extended into Colinton from March 2014.

The magazine published its 500th issue in October 2024.

History

In its 200th issue, published in October 1994, founding editor Graham Priestley wrote: “In Autumn 1975, a small group of people met in Balerno to discuss the possibility of starting a local newspaper. […] The idea progressed slowly until it was discovered that a similar group was meeting in Currie and included Heriot-Watt students already skilled in producing a student newspaper. With the merging of the two groups and a generous pump-priming donation of £30 from the Student’s association, the Currie & Balerno News was born.”

There were several motivations for the launch of the publication: more accessible printing technologies; the sense of “things being done to them without their consent” (the previous year, Scotland-wide local government reorganisation had officially shifted Currie and Balerno from Midlothian County into Edinburgh); and a perceived need to share what was happening locally.

Eventually, as individuals came and left, a trust was established to act as “publisher”. In November 2004, this was succeeded by a private company – The Currie and Balerno News (SC275967) – which is limited by guarantee and without shareholders.

Organisation

All of the company’s post-holders are unpaid local volunteers, as are the members of the larger management team which helps guide the publication, sources and/or contributes articles, proof-reads the final pages and carries out the distribution of the printed copies to local shops.

Each issue of C&B News features the work of around 50 unpaid contributors who – representing themselves, local groups, sports clubs, charities or organisations – voluntarily submit articles and/or photographs. Each issue also includes regular columns from local political representatives: the local Westminster MP and constituency MSP; any “list” MSPs interested in reaching its readers; local Edinburgh Councillors; and representatives from the four local community councils covering the publication’s distribution area.

Both the editor and advertising manager are paid a flat-fee per issue, on a freelance basis. Everyone else volunteers their time and energy. All the publication’s production and distribution costs are supported through advertising from local businesses. Any surpluses are donated to local good causes.