Pontypool Free Press

The Pontypool Free Press is an English language weekly regional newspaper that was originally published in Pontypool, as the Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills, in 1859 and is circulated in Pontypool and the surrounding area of Torfaen, in south-east Wales.

The Pontypool Free Press
Pontypool Free Press front page 11 June 1859
TypeWeekly newspaper
FormatTabloid
Owner(s)Newsquest
Founder(s)David Walkinshaw
PublisherNewsquest Media (Southern) Ltd
Deputy editorNicole Garnon
Managing editorKevin Ward
Founded1859
HeadquartersCardiff Road, Maesglas, Newport NP20 3QN
Circulation1,808 (as of 2022)[1]
Sister newspapersSouth Wales Argus, Penarth Times, Barry & District News
ISSN1757-3076
OCLC number500055627
WebsiteFree Press

History

The Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills was established in 1859, with the first edition on 5 March 1859.[2][3] It was printed and published in Pontypool, in English, by the proprietor David Walkinshaw.[2][lower-alpha 1] In 1877 Henry Hughes Junior agreed to purchase the paper, along with the Pontypool Local Register and the Pontypool Almanack, for £1,000 from Walkinshaw.[5][lower-alpha 2]

The name of the newspaper changed on 5 July 1879, to The Pontypool Free Press, and on 2 April 1909 to The Free Press of Monmouthshire.[3]

In the 1980s, Don Touhig, later to become the Member of Parliament for Islwyn and a life peer, was editor of the newspaper.[8][9] Touhig worked on the paper from 1968 to 1994, starting as a journalist, and ending as general manager of the Free Press Group.[10]

An edition covering Chepstow was added in 1980, with other editions added later, giving four titles produced by the Free Press Group:[11]

  • Abergavenny Free Press
  • Chepstow Free Press
  • Monmouth Free Press
  • Pontypool Free Press

In 1997 the Bailey Newspaper Group, the then owners of the Free Press Group, was bought by Southern Newspapers, based in Southampton.[12] In 1998 Southern Newspapers changed its name to Newscom and, in 2000, was bought by the Newsquest Media Group.[13]

Current owners
Former offices of the Pontypool Free Press

In November 2008 Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd merged the Abergavenny, Chepstow, and Monmouth editions into one edition covering Monmouthshire called The Free Press. The Pontypool Free Press continued as a separate edition.[11]

In November 2011 Newsquest moved the editorial staff to its regional headquarters, at the offices of the South Wales Argus, in Newport, closing its offices in Pontypool and Chepstow.[14] Soon after, Torfaen County Borough Council offered the paper an office at the Pontypool Civic Centre, and journalists now use the office as a drop-in centre every Friday.[14][15]

The paper maintains a close relationship with the local rugby club, Pontypool RFC, as "Official Media Partner".[16]

The paper is part of a group of papers covering some of south-east Wales, including the South Wales Argus, Penarth Times, and the Penarth & District News. The papers are all based at Cardiff Road, Maesglas, Newport NP20 3QN, with Kevin Ward as Regional Managing Editor and Nicole Garnon as Deputy Editor.[17] The paper is currently released as a tabloid and in 2013 had an average circulation of 5,022 (including The Free Press) with a cover price of £0.40.[18]

Archives

Paper, and microfiche, archives of the Pontypool Free Press and The Free Press of Monmouthshire are held at Gwent Archives, Ebbw Vale and Newport Central Library.[3][19]

An online digital archive of the paper (1859–1869 and 1872–1893) is available from Welsh Newspapers Online.[20]

Notes
  1. Walkinshaw is commemorated as the founder of the paper in a stained glass window in the Church of St Michael and All Angels, New Inn.[4]
  2. In 1870, Hughes had built a printing works, the Griffin Press, which remained in operation until 1988 when it was converted into flats.[6][5]. The former offices of the paper are now known as Henry Hughes House.[7]

References
  1. "Free Press Monmouthshire & Pontypool". Audit Bureau of Circulations (UK). 22 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  2. "Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills". Welsh Newspapers Online. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  3. "Gwent Archives Newspapers". Archives Network Wales. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  4. Cadw. "Church of St Michael and All Angels (Grade II*) (3114)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  5. "Papers of Henry Hughes and Pontypool Free Press Newspaper". Gwent Archives. 'Pontypool Free Press' Newspaper Acquisition. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  6. Parry, Claire (26 July 2011). "Griffin Press, Osbourne Road, Pontypool". National Monuments Record of Wales (NMRW). Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW). NPRN 54621. Retrieved 29 September 2016 – via coflein (online database of the NMRW). {{cite web}}: External link in |via= (help)
  7. "Explore Past and Present Pontypool" (PDF). Gwent Archives. 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  8. "Lord Touhig". UK Parliament Website. UK Parliament. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  9. Ruddock, Joan (14 June 2016). "Chapter 4: CND". Going Nowhere: A Memoir. Biteback. ISBN 9781785900389. OCLC 951608839. Retrieved 28 September 2016 – via Google Books.
  10. "Former Gwent MP to become a peer". South Wales Argus. Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd. 31 May 2010. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  11. "Free Press of Monmouthshire". British Newspapers Online. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  12. Barber, Chris (1999). "The Afon Llwyd (example)". Eastern Valley - The Story of Torfaen (1st ed.). Llanfoist, Gwent: Blorenge Books. p. 16. ISBN 1-872730-23-X. OCLC 43459623.
  13. "History of British Newspapers". News Media Association. Retrieved 4 October 2016.
  14. "Pontypool Free Press offered Torfaen council office". BBC. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  15. "Council provides free office space to local newspaper". Torfaen County Borough Council. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  16. "Pontypool Free Press extend Pooler agreement". Pontypool RFC. 26 August 2015. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  17. "Contact Us". Newsquest Media (Southern) Ltd. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  18. "Circulation Certificate - Free Press - Monmouth (Series)" (PDF). Audit Bureau of Circulations (UK). p. 1. Retrieved 29 September 2016.
  19. "Newport Reference Library Monmouthshire newspapers in stock, Nov.1980". Gwent Local History (50): 46. Spring 1981. Retrieved 26 March 2018 – via Welsh Journals Online at the National Library of Wales.
  20. "Welsh Newspapers Online". National Library of Wales. 2015. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
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