Pulman's Award sponsors online learning

We have always been so much more than just a community media brand... During the age of the internet, particularly during covid lock-downs, we have been delighted to introduce more people to online learning.

GEORGE PULMAN - VICTORIAN MEDIA MAN

- Remembering a rural publishing pioneer who was also a committed Christian.

Many West Country communities know the name George Pulman well. He is considered something of a Victorian media mogul who founded Pulman's Weekly News way back in 1857.

His media brands continued to be a prolific news source for over 150 years throughout the prime agricultural counties of Devon, Dorset and Somerset.

Pulman's news was always renowned for its reliability and trustworthiness. What was published by Pulman's journalists could be considered as being true.

What people may not know is that George Pulman was also a lifelong committed Christian who worshipped regularly at his local town church in Axminster, Devon.

To help rouse local attendance, George would enthusiastically play the church organ on a Sunday morning. There he went on to meet and marry his young wife, who was likewise drawn to become a regular member of the same Axminster congregation.

Throughout his life he believed in the importance of building community: through Church, rural life and local news. He always upheld values of truth and helped give voice to many West Country causes and concerns that might otherwise have been cast aside and forgotten.

Journalism was a task that required the utmost responsibility and was a profession treated with great respect.

So in today's era of fake news and political propaganda, perhaps it is time to remember the values of one of the news media's earliest pioneers.

A man of faith who built a regional media empire in the wake of the industrial revolution which lasted through multiple generations.

The 'Pulman's Award' and bursary continues to uphold the same values of George Pulman and is open for nominations throughout the year.

George Philip Rigney Pulman: 1819 - 1880

Publisher liable for money owed to journalists still plans to reopen weeklies

Report by David Sharman for HoldTheFrontPage

A publisher at the centre of a row over a series of local newspapers which ceased publication in January has reiterated his determination to reopen them over time.

Duncan Williams, left, bought the View From titles, which cover areas of Dorset, Devon and Somerset, in January following their closure by previous owner, Sunday Independent publisher Peter Masters.

A court has since ruled Mr Williams is liable for money owed to a group of 28 former View From employees who were made redundant when the titles ceased publication.

But he has restated his intention to appeal the decision and says he is still working to get the eight View From titles as well as Axminster-based Pulman’s Weekly News reopened, although he accepts this will not happen in one go.

As part of the relaunch plan, he has set up a video news channel entitled View News which also aims to offer a PR service to local businesses, converting press releases into videos which would then be carried on the newspapers’ social media channels and websites.

The View From titles served towns and villages including Beaminster, Bridport, Dorchester, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Seaton, Honiton and South Somerset, while Pulman’s Weekly News covered Axminster.

Said Duncan: “The titles will all be brought back incrementally. As they have been traditionally free, budgets need to be securely in place first off before relaunching the entire portfolio in one fell swoop.

“Revenues from video advertising and social media are designed to enable this.”

Duncan added: “Despite the recent controversy surrounding their acquisition, I remain very happy indeed with the Pulman’s Weekly News brand.

“Their founder George Pulman was an influential Christian publisher of the Victorian era whose vision I much admire and whose community values are certainly part of what makes local media so vital to regions.

“Likewise, I remain delighted with the View News series, which I know have suffered from sharply declining advertising revenues, repeat closures, rumpuses and relaunches. However, the technology upgrades I have personally invested in are hoping to remedy this.

“To be clear to all of my investors, banks and advertising agencies: I have no intention whatsoever of going bankrupt. The employment tribunal decision will be appealed.”

SOUTH WEST HERITAGE CENTRE ADDS NEWS WEEKLIES

South West Heritage Centre in Taunton has gratefully received a vast archive of carefully catalogued and restored local newspapers that have covered the surrounding areas for decades. 

Part time media and community lecturer Duncan Williams (pictured above) says: "Regional newspapers record life in local towns in a way that creates a valuable historic testimony of rural life. While national newspapers are more focus on forging opinion leader articles, the regional press chronicles, the often fascinating detail, of daily living."

Many of the titles are out out of print, which adds to their interest.

The Pulman's Weekly News series, which served the West Country, was first launched way back in 1857.

George Philip Rigney Pulman

The Pulman's Weekly News and Advertiser series were founded in England in 1857 by Axminster born George Pulman. (His name is often mistakenly confused with the American railroad pioneer.)

The Pulman's series are important records of a prolific Victorian era press group that went on to span multiple decades and bridge three consecutive centuries.

Over the years the Pulman's titles expanded across East Devon, West Dorset and South Somerset and were published by a succession of newspaper owners.

In 2012 the papers morphed into the Pulman's View From series, covering predominantly the same areas as before and, in keeping with the times, developed an online presence.

In 2018, following a decade of repeat financial problems, administrations and closures, the titles were bought out through a crowdfunding initiative.

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"We are very pleased to announce the launch of the new 'Pulman's Award', a prize and trophy* given to West Country individuals, or groups, who encourage the spirit of good communication, educational endeavour or community service that our founder, George P. R. Pulman embodied."

Duncan Williams, on behalf of
Pulman's Weekly News Group

More about George Philip Rigney Pulman

*Sponsorship opportunities and nominations now open.