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Tameside Reporter reaches magnificent milestone

The Tameside Reporter group of newspapers - incorporating the Glossop Chronicle - marks a remarkable milestone this week.

For the Reporter is exactly 165 years old - making it among some of the oldest publications in the country still in print to this day.

Recognised as an invaluable historic archive, this year also marks the launch of an exciting project to digitise a vast number of Reporter pictures from days gone by to make them available to a wider audience across the internet.

The Tameside Reporter marks its 165th birthday today (Tuesday 14 April).

On that date, exactly 165 years ago in 1855, the very first edition of the Reporter series rolled off the presses entitled the Ashton Weekly Reporter and subtitled the Stalybridge and Dukinfield Chronicle.

It cost three half pennies, or one and-a-half d in old money, and its four broadsheet pages brought the news to Ashton, Stalybridge, Mossley, Dukinfield, Droylsden, Hooley Hill, Denton, Hyde and the surrounds from around the globe.

Unlike today’s pages the front page was devoid of headlines, stories or even pictures for that matter. In fact, there was not a single picture in the whole issue. 

Instead, the front page was filled with advertisements touting everything from Robert Smith’s cure for ruptures to Turner’s hair balm, promising to restore and beautify the hair. 

The front page of the first Reporter - issue No 1 - published on April 14, 1855. 

The latter three of its four pages shared national and international news, keeping everyone up to date with everything from the Crimea War to the Newmarket Races.

The creation of the Ashton Weekly Reporter was a business venture and dream come true for printer Edward Hobson, assisted by his sons William and Edward.

Tameside Reporter editor Nigel Skinner said: "The Tameside Reporter celebrates a momentous milestone on April 14 - when it will be exactly 165 years ago that the very first edition appeared.

"The Tameside Reporter and sister paper the Glossop Chronicle have come a long way since then.

"In well over 7,000 editions since, the papers have reflected what has and what continues to happen in our communities - through the very best of times and (like now) the most challenging.

"When William Hobson issued that very first edition of the Ashton Weekly Reporter, (sub-titled the Stalybridge and District Chronicle), little did he imagine  his legacy would become part of the fabric of our area, delivering community news; views and of course sport each and every week.

"Times have changed of course, so although people can still enjoy their weekly newspaper which is now free, it’s also available in digital format online, on your computer, laptop or mobile every Thursday.

"While our daily news bulletins on Tameside Radio, our website and social media channels keep everyone up to date with all the latest news as it happens. 

"It is a miraculous milestone that comes at an unprecedented time, for never has community news and all that it stands for been more important or more relevant in all of our lives.

"We’ve been truly proud to serve our community for the last 165 years and we are prouder than ever to be able to keep doing that right now. We thank everyone for their messages of support and in turn wish everyone well." 

This Thursday, don't miss our special supplement marking 165 years of history in the making - only in your Tameside Reporter and Glossop Chronicle.

You can read recent editions of the Tameside Reporter - including the latest newspaper - on our website here: https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/news/newspapers/

Watch some of our readers from across the borough say Happy Birthday to the Tameside Reporter in our video at the top of the page. 

 

Main image:

Quest Media Network director Emma Marsh has baked a cake, featuring the Reporter's iconic logo, to mark the occasion. 

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