About the
East Wolds Community Newsletter
Welcome to the East Wolds Community Newsletter
A free and non-profit publication that covers seven beautiful parishes in the rural East Wolds of East Yorkshire.
If you’re part of a local charity, social group, parish council, or an individual - use our free advertising platform and news space to share your events, activities, and news with our local community and close neighbours. GO
Enjoy reading articles on local East Wolds village topics. history and folklore FEATURES & STORIES
If you promote events, or run a small business, delve into the articles on event management, funding, and growing your business in the LEARNING ZONE
We want to attack loneliness and enable more social interaction, as well as support our charitable and community groups to grow and thrive.
Join us and be a real part of the East Wolds Community!
On the website, in the emails and in every issue of the printed newsletter, you will find a variety of information that we hope will interest and inspire you. You will learn about the history and culture of the East Wolds, the achievements and challenges of our local people, the beauty and diversity of our natural environment, and the opportunities and events that await. You will also find a variety of tips, useful and need to know information.
We welcome your feedback and suggestions, as well as your contributions and submissions. We are always looking for new writers, photographers, and editors who share our passion and vision for the East Wolds. If you have a story to tell, a skill to share, or a talent to showcase, please contact us. We would love to hear from you and to feature you or your community group in the East Wolds Community Newsletter.
History
It has been observed that many individuals are being left in isolation and ignored due to society’s increasing reliance on computers, smartphones, and social media. In response to this issue, a large group of volunteers from four parishes have come together to create and distribute the East Wolds Community Newsletter. This free, printed publication aims to keep all residents informed and up to date by sharing local news and events, as well as valuable information that could impact their lives. In effect, reaching more people and getting them better connected within their community.
In 2020, the local community newsletter (the Benefice News) ceased publication. Although various Facebook Groups attempted to fill the void, it became clear that many individuals were not being reached, leaving them more socially isolated than ever before. The loss of the printed newsletter meant that there was no easy way to provide support and news to everyone in the district.
Similarly, village halls, parish councils and community groups lost a valuable grassroots method of communicating with people and disseminating their news and information.
In our rural area, there are still individuals without computers. Even those who have them may not feel comfortable being online or may not want to engage with Facebook or other social media platforms. Poor rural mobile phone coverage (especially for data) further underscores the importance of a printed newsletter for communication.
It was because of this that a small trial of 90 newsletters were printed and delivered. The project was well received and praised. The trial provided insight into the time, effort, and resources required. With this information in hand, we decided to move forward with regular publication to a much larger catchment area – the East Wolds Community Newsletter was born.
Delivering a printed newsletter door-to-door in Thwing, Octon, Wold Newton, Swaythorpe, Langtoft, Foxholes, and Butterwick ensures that everyone stays informed. The latest information on important topics, as well as news of community events like coffee mornings, quizzes, and other gatherings is readily available. In addition to neighbourhood news and events, information about local helpers, key services, and important contact numbers are easily accessible.
Although the printed newsletter is not delivered door-to door in Kilham, Rudston and Burton Fleming it can be picked up from pubs in Kilham. Rudston, Langtoft and Wold Newton. Additionally, it can be delivered by email or viewed on this website
The newsletter makes it easy for community groups, village halls and venues to communicate their work and attract new members, volunteers and visitors from not only their home village but also neighbouring villages. What’s more, our service to community groups and charitable organisations is free of charge.
In Thwing, the smallest of the four parishes, there are four separate groups organising community events. Without a newsletter, it can be challenging and expensive to connect with the public and inform them of upcoming events and activities. Even more difficult would be gathering feedback on what residents like and dislike. Our publication addresses this issue.
Parish councils and social groups have the opportunity to test ideas with newsletter readers by using survey forms or inserts that will be delivered to either every household in the distribution area or to just their own parishioners.
As well as supporting the community, the parish councils, community groups, clubs, pubs and village halls in the area, the East Wolds Community Newsletter aims to build community cohesion and resilience. This applies to not just one village but to a small group of neighbouring parishes by encouraging integration and cooperation.
The newsletter is supported financially by a well-attended monthly fundraising quiz held at the Anvil Arms, Wold Newton on the first Thursday of every month. The quiz also features a rollover game. Initially this was ‘Lucky Number’ but a new game will be added soon. Profit from this event goes into printing the newsletter and providing this website.
We are always looking for suggestion for articles and content for the newsletter and help from the community is welcomed. The latest addition to the East Wolds Community Newsletter is a series of ‘how-to’ business articles suitable for small and start-up businesses as well as community groups and event promoters.
Up until December 2023, the East Wolds Community Newsletter was a monthly publication put together by just one person who gathered the news, compiled the newsletter, did the fundraising and found and dealt with advertisers. Although a concerted effort was made to find others that could help with these tasks, no help was forthcoming. Unfortunately, health problems and lack of support has meant the newsletter has become a more irregular seasonal publication. The aim is to bring it back as monthly printed newsletter - but only if help can be found. it continues as a hybrid of website, email and print.
Today the East Wolds Community Newsletter continues as a hybrid of website, email and a free, less frequent, professionally printed glossy magazine that is created and distributed door-to-door by a dedicated and fantastic team of volunteers.