Contents Introduction

Counties
Cornwall - see also Cornwall's own listing at http://www.chycor.co.uk/general/red-lib/page3.htm
Devon - has its own website
Dorset
Gloucestershire
Somerset
Wiltshire

Unitary authorities
Bath & North East Somerset
Borough of Poole
Bournemouth
Bristol
North Somerset
Plymouth - currently on Devon’s website
South Gloucestershire
Swindon
Torbay - currently on Devon’s website, see also Brixham and Paignton

Channel Islands – excluded from the original Newsplan project.
Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and Oxfordshire now form part of the South East region.

Note: This is an interim version of the original Newsplan report for the South West region, compiled by Rosemary Wells in 1984. It has been transferred from the Hampshire website because Hampshire has now left the South West Region, as has Oxfordshire. Devon is holding the data as HTML text files which is to be revised and updated pending conversion to a searchable database, possibly in conjunction with the London and South East newspaper database or as part of a national database under and second phase of the Newsplan 2000 project.

The order of the original report has been revised to reflect local government reorganisation and in this interim version the arrangement within each library authority will be alphabetical by place of publication and then chronological by date of first publication. Some of the more extensive information on the quality of existing microfilms and possible arrangements for further filming has been edited out and it is intended that authorities will update their own information to reflect recent microfilming, particularly reels acquired through the Newsplan 2000 project.

Introduction to Newsplan

In 1983/4 the British Library helped to fund a survey and report on the holdings and condition of local newspapers in the area of the South Western Regional Library System (SWRLS). The work was undertaken by Research Officer Rosemary Wells. It marked the start of the Newsplan initiative - a UK and Ireland wide cooperative scheme for the protection and conservation of the local newspaper heritage through a comprehensive microfilming programme. Supported by the British Library and the other national libraries, over the next 15 years the Newsplan programme was progressively adopted by all the UK library Regions and the libraries of Ireland. Today it is a model of regional and national collaboration entered an exciting new phase with the announcement in 1999 of a £5m Heritage Lottery Grant to help complete the work. Newsplan is supported by public, academic and national libraries, and the newspaper industry.

Key Stages in the SWRLS Newsplan

1979. A SWRLS Working Group is set up to consider the microfilming facilities in the Region and the feasibility of making greater use of them. A search for financial assistance for an investigation into microfilming needs begins. It is noted that the project findings "might have wider than Regional significance".

1981. John Beard (then County Librarian, Hampshire) offers to host the project and accommodate a Research Officer. The Working Group begins recording holdings and establishing gaps in hard copy and microform.

1982. The British Library Reference Division agrees to support the project as part of its developing programme of newspaper microfilming and preservation.

1983. Rosemary Wells, appointed Research officer, begins work on the newly named Newsplan project.

1984. The South West Report is submitted to the British Library Newspaper Library for publication (1985).

1985 -96. Other Regions follow the same model. A national Steering Committee is formed under LINC (The Library and Information Cooperation Council).

1999. The Heritage Lottery Fund announces a £5m grant to help complete Newsplan filming. This is the largest preservation grant ever made in the United Kingdom. The south west Newsplan report is hosted on Hampshire’s website.

2005. Newsplan 2000 completes phase one with 30,000 reels of microfilm produced and documented, including several hundred reels for the South West. Reading equipment was also distributed. The Implementation Team starts to look at ways of funding further filming and engagement with access and learning initiatives under a possible second phase of Newsplan 2000.

Copies of the 10 Regional Newsplan Reports are available from Turpin Distribution Services Ltd, Blackhorse Road, Letchworth, SG6 1HN.

The Newsplan 2000 website has details of the Newsplan Project and Reports: http://www.newsplan2000.org and details of the British Library Newspaper Library's holdings can be found at http://www.bl.uk/collections/newspapers.html

THE NEWSPAPERS

This Newsplan Report offers a summary of the project officer’s findings about each newspaper. Obviously there will be questionable comments, sometimes due to discrepancy of information, sometimes due to errors of judgement. Many comments on the standard of existing microfilm and suggestions for future filming are outdated and have been edited out of the present version of the report. Some authorities, such as Devon have compiled their own detailed listings and these sections, as well as those for authorities that have left the South West region have also been removed. Existing microfilm should always be thoroughly checked before decisions on further microfilming are taken. In particular earlier filming may have been undertaken of acetate film stock, which may be deteriorating.

Newspapers which are held only by the BLNL were not included in the original report (with a few exceptions), since these titles can only be filmed by the BLNL. The addition of BLNL's holdings is still not complete for the region.

The given numbers of reels of microfilm needed to film each title are approximations only, based on the BLNL guidelines. The number of reels will vary slightly in some cases owing to unnoticed temporary changes in frequency, etc., and in other cases the camera operator may choose to film more, or fewer pages to a frame.

The notes for each newspaper are the results of a preliminary investigation, and are intended to provide background information, as a basis from which to plan future microfilming.

BRISTOL

1713. Sam Farley’s Bristol Post Man 1713; six issues only, no microfilm

1725. Farley's Bristol Newspaper / Sam Farley's Bristol Newspaper incomplete files 1725 – 1738 microfilm by University Microfilms

1742. F. Farley’s Bristol Journal / Farley’s Bristol Advertiser title alternate; file in only fair condition. 1742-1748 held, bound no microfilm

1742. Oracle (various titles) 1742 - 1749 microfilm by University Microfilms

1748. Bristol Journal / Sarah Farley's Bristol Journal incomplete file 1748 – 1806, microfilm by University Microfilms of 1795 - 1798 only

1749. Bristol Weekly Intelligencer 1749 - 1760 microfilm by University Microfilms

1752. Felix Farley's Bristol Journal 1752; filmed to 1800 by Microform Ltd, which holds the negative (MF held by BLNL). Newsplan film Sw-028: 1800-53

1760. Bristol Chronicle or Universal Mercantile Register 1760 - 1761 no microfilm

1767. Bristol Gazette and Public Advertiser. Newsplan film Sw-043: 1767-May 1872

1774. Bonner and Middleton’s Bristol Journal 1774-1804; filmed to 1802 by University Microfilms;the BLNL has also done some filming of this title and holds 1797-1800 in hard copy.

1777. Bee and Sketchley’s Weekly Advertiser 1777; only 10 issues survive, microfilm by University Microfilms

1790. Bristol Mercury 1790-1909. Newsplan film Sw-044: 1790-Nov 1909, except Sep-Dec 1887, 1889, Sep-Dec 1891, 1897. (1889, 1891 and 1897 Saturday editions only filmed by Bristol Libraries).

1805. Bristol Mirror (1805-1864). This title also had its origins in the 18th century as Bonner and Middleton’s Bristol Journal. Newsplan film Sw-048 1805-1864.

1827. Bristolian (1827-1831). BLNL holding is very incomplete.

1852. Clifton Chronicle (1852-1928). This title has been filmed 1920-1928 by Wessex Microfilming. The BLNL lacks four years which are held in Bristol Central Library. Newsplan film SW 1852-1928 except 1873, July-Dec 1895, 1897, 1899, 1900.

1858. Western Daily Press (1858- ). Bristol United Press gave the files prior to 1950 to Bristol Central Library which also holds another set in much better condition. The title has been filmed from 1870 to 1910 by BLNL. Bristol Libraries have film from 1858 - .

1859. Bristol Observer (1859-1962). Almost complete sets of this title are held at the Bristol Central Library and the BLNL. Bristol Central Library’s set is in good condition.

1877. Bristol Evening News (1877-1932). Bristol Central Library's set in in such poor condition that it has been withdrawn from public use. Newsplan film SW 1877-1932, except Jan-June 1895, July-Dec 1897, July-Dec 1898, Jan-June 1900, 1911, May-Dec 1912.

1897. Bristol Guardian (1897-1935). This newspaper seems to have started life as the Bedminster Guardian. The first 4 years are held by Bristol Central Library only and the BLNL should commission Avon County Library to produce a microfilm (38 reels).

1904. Bristol Evening Times (1904-1932). The Bristol Central Library file was badly damaged whilst in an off-site store and had to be destroyed. The BLNL file lacks the year 1911.

1914. Bristol and the War (1914-1917). An eight-page heavily illustrated fortnightly, reducing to a 20-page monthly in May 1915; the BLNL set lacks the first three months which are held in Bristol Central Library. This ‘magazine’ was printed on good quality paper, and is in no danger at present.

1929. Bristol Evening World (1929-1962). This title has been filmed by Wessex Microfilming to 1945, and continued by Bristol Libraries until 1956.

1932. Bristol Evening Post (1932- ). This title is owned by the Bristol United Press, which gave the files prior to 1950 to Bristol Central Library. Bristol Central Library has had the files microfilmed from the start. Since 1950 the publisher has been filming this title.

1980? New Observer (?- ). This free newspaper, published by the Bristol United Press, is issued at present in four editions, but only the two main editions, Kingswood and Keynsham, have been kept at Bristol Central Library. Bristol United Press reports that it films this title but that until recently it was on the same film as the Western Daily Press.

BATH AND NORTH EAST SOMERSET

BATH

1744. Bath Journal (1744-1916). The first Bath newspaper and one of the two most important; only very incomplete files of this title survive. A microfilm has been made by Recordak of the Bath Reference Library’s holdings, there are many gaps. Some of the gaps in the first half of the 18th century can be filled from other holdings, but there are still many years for which there are no known copies. The gaps between the years 1744 and 1758 can be filled using an almost complete set held, in very good condition, in Bristol Central Library. From 1758 to 1825 (when the complete BLNL file starts), the only other holding of any size is at Wessex Newspapers, Bath..

1755. Bath Advertiser (1755-1760). There are several volumes still in existence of this, Bath’s second newspaper: Bath Reference Library has four volumes, and others are held by the BLNL, Cheltenham Public Library, and Bristol Public Library (and Yale University Library). On account of the scattered nature of the holdings (even Bath Reference Library’s volumes do not complement each other), the title should be filmed: it would probably require about two reels only, but would involve very careful, issue by issue, checking of each volume to ensure that the microfilm was complete, and the filming would involve the use of many different volumes. Since the BLNL copy would not be allowed to leave Colindale this is a title probably best filmed by the BLNL, if Bath Reference Library and Cheltenham Public Library would allow their files to be filmed.

1760. Bath Chronicle or, Universal Register (1760- ? ). Not to be confused with the next title, this Bath Chronicle was the successor to the Bath Advertiser (above). Only two months plus two odd issues survive, at Bath Reference Library and the BLNL, and this should be filmed as a continuation of the Bath Advertiser, preferably on the same film in order to reduce confusion.

1760. Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette (1760-1980). Like the other main Bath Newspaper, the Bath Journal, this title was filmed some years ago by Recordak. The filming is not as good as that of the Bath Journal, and there are some very poor gutters but there are fewer gaps, which involve only four years apart from odd issues. The first six issues of the title are held in Bristol Central Library; the years 1762, 1766 and 1767, from which there are many issues missing on the film, may be held in the file room of Wessex Newspapers, Bath, but the librarian did not supply the information because he was unwilling for the holdings of Wessex Newspapers to be filmed: the year 1766 and up to the end of March 1767 are held by the Bodleian Library. Harvester Press plans to publish a microfilm edition of this title, and may be more successful at negotiating with Wessex Newspapers than was the Newsplan project officer.

1777. Salmon’s Mercury (1777-?1781). More of a magazine than a newspaper, this publication nevertheless published local advertisements when it started in 1777. The first year of the title is held at Bristol Central Library and the Bodleian Library, from which the BLNL might produce microfilm to complete the BLNL holding.

1792. Bath Herald (1792-1925). An incomplete file of this title is held at Bath Reference Library. Unfortunately the 24« missing years are held only by Wessex Newspapers, Bath, which will not allow re-bound volumes to be filmed. Before the BLNL complete holding starts in 1825, there appears to be only one file, which has somehow been split at random between Bath Reference Library and Wessex Newspapers. The only possibility of producing a complete microfilm, therefore, would be if Wessex Newspapers would allow its volumes to be filmed, possibly using Chivers of Bath, since Wessex Newspapers is having its current microfilming done by Chivers to its satisfaction. The filming would be a matter for delicate negotiations and this might perhaps be a title whose filming should be deferred for a few years.

1792. Bath Register and Western Advertiser (1792-1793). This short-lived title is held by both Bath Reference Library (lacking four issues) and the BLNL (lacking three issues). It would require about half a reel of microfilm.

1812. Bath and Cheltenham Gazette (1812-1897). This title has been microfilmed almost completely (lacking 1853 and 1854) to 1893; the first 32 years were filmed by Recordak in 1964, the next 48 years by Wessex Microfilming. The only hard copy file of any size before the start of the BLNL file in 1925 is held by Bath Reference Library, and this seems to have been the copy filmed. Cheltenham Public Library holds the first three years in very good condition. The years 1893-1895, not yet filmed, are held by the BLNL only; unfortunately, owing to the loss of the BLNL files for the years 1896 and 1897, there are no surviving copies for these last two years before the title was absorbed by the Bath Herald.

1855. Bath Express and Literary Observer (1855-1875). A complete file of this title is held at the BLNL. The first five years are also held at the Bath Reference Library, and a reportedly complete file at Wessex Newspapers in Bath.

1875. Bath Argus (Daily) (1875-1900); Bath Argus (Weekly) (1870-1911). Both these titles are reported to be held only by the BLNL. It may be that Wessex Newspapers holds those years lacking from the BLNL set.

1877. Bath Evening Chronicle (1877- ). This title has been filmed since 1982 by Chivers of Bath for the publisher. The file held by the publisher is very incomplete, and Bath Reference Library holds the title from 1927 only.

1885. Bladud (1885-1916). There are no locally held files of this magazine-style newspaper after 1894. The Wessex Newspapers holding has not been checked, and is relatively inaccessible. Although this newspaper called itself a ‘society newspaper’ it is deserving of microfilm to make a file available at Bath Reference Library, since much of Bath’s news has always been ‘society’ news. The title could probably be filmed at one reel per year.

1980. Bath (and District) Weekly Advertiser (1980- ). This is a free newspaper which nevertheless carries a good deal of local news. The BLNL file lacks the first four issues, which are held by the officers and by Bath Reference Library, whose holding is complete though very tightly bound. This title would require about two reels a year to microfilm.

1980. Bath Herald/Bath Star (1980- ). Started by Wessex Newspapers six months after the Bath Weekly Advertiser, probably as a direct response to the challenge the latter presented to the established Bath newspaper. This title may have been filmed from the start by Chivers of Bath for the publisher. Some boxes of microfilm labelled ‘Bath Herald’ were seen in a filing cabinet at Wessex Newspapers. A complete file is held at Bath Reference Library, though very tightly bound. Never more than 16 pages, this title would probably require only one reel per year to film.

KEYNSHAM

1946. Keynsham Weekly Chronicle (1946- ). Until the end of 1962 this newspaper was the 1966. Keynsham edition of the Bath Weekly Chronicle. Bristol Central Library holds the title from 1966, but it is not known whether Wessex Newspapers has a complete file. The BLNL holding does not start until 1971, and the BLNL could ask Bristol Central Library to film the five years from 1966 to 1970.

RADSTOCK

1893. Somerset Guardian (1893- ). The Radstock office of Wessex Newspapers holds this title from its first issue on 6 January 1894, and also two earlier issues of the newspaper as the Radstock Observer. BLNL does not hold this title until 1899

NORTH SOMERSET

CLEVEDON

1863. Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead and Yatton Mercury (formally known as Clevedon Courier and Clevedon Mercury). Microfilm available 1863-1950, 1972-1995, 1999- at Clevedon Library and Weston-super-Mare libraries. (Bound Volumes 1995-1998 at Clevedon Library). clevedon mercury offices may hold 1950-1972 in hard copy.

WESTON-SUPER-MARE

1843. Weston and Somerset Mercury. The Westonian 1843 to 1848 and the Weston and Somerset Mercury from 1855 to present are both held on microfilm at Weston-super-Mare library

1845. Weston-super-Mare Gazette and General Advertiser. Microfilm is available at Weston-super-Mare library from 1845 to 1871 and 1873 to 1951. In 1951 this paper was incorporated into the Weston and Somerset Mercury.

1985. Weston and Worle News. Most originals kept at Weston-super-Mare library since November 1985. No microfilming has been done of this newspaper.

CORNWALL

See also Cornwall's own listing at http://www.chycor.co.uk/general/red-lib/page3.htm.

BODMIN
1896 Bodmin news and Cornwall county advertiser

1899 Bodmin post and Cornwall county express. Weekly
Nos. 1-129, Feb? 1899 - 27 Jul 1901; continued as Bodmin post and county express vol 1 no 130 - vol 3 no 57, 3 Aug 1901 - 1 Feb 1902; inc. with Cornish & Devon Post as its Bodmin edition.
BLNL: original 1 Dec 1900 - 1 Feb 1902.

1901 Cornish guardian
Cornish Studies: MIC 1901-date
Bodmin: MIC 1901-date
Newquay: MIC 1901-date
St Austell: MIC 1901-date

1901 Bodmin guardian
1901-1955. This newspaper, a local edition of the Cornish Guardian, has survived in hard copy only in Bodmin Museum. Up to
1937 it is in good condition, being well bound with open gutters; after 1937 it has cardboard covers, which have collapsed, and is too tightly bound for microfilming. After 1955 it became the Bodmin edition of the Cornish Guardian, which Bodmin Museum holds to January 1979, also unsuitable for filming without disbinding.

1901 Camelford and Delabole guardian

1902 Cornish and Devon post. Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow ed.

1924 Camelford and Delabole post

1955 Cornish guardian. Bodmin ed.

1975 North Cornwall courier
Continued as: Cornwall Courier
Cornish studies: MIC 1975-86
Bodmin: 1977-86

1986 Bodmin packet

BUDE
1898 Bude and Stratton directory and north coast visitors list. Weekly.
Nos. 1-10, 24 Jun - 27 Aug 1898; cont. as Bude directory and visitors list 7 Jun 1899 - 24 Sep 1907. Publ. During summer season only.
BLNL: original 1 Jul - 27 Aug 1898, 7 Jun 1899 - 25 Sep 1907.
1924 Bude and Stratton post

1984 Launceston, Bude and Holsworthy
gazette
CALLINGTON

1857 Cornish times
Cornish Studies: MIC 1857-date
Liskeard: MIC 1857-date
Newsplan film SW-034 1857-1950 (except 1867, 1882, 1888, 1897)
1924 Callington and Gunnislake post
Callington and Gunnislake Post. This is a little-changed edition of the Cornish and Devon Post, but the changes are irregular.

1978 Callington gazette
1978-1982. This short-lived title was published by the Tavistock Gazette. It was not taken by the BLNL but there is an almost complete set in the Cornwall Local Studies Library at Redruth.

1987 Gazette

CAMBORNE
1855 Camborne chronicle. Weekly
1855?; continued as Cornish chronicle and Penwith advertiser, nos. 1-26, 7 Jan -27 Jun 1856.
BLNL: original 7 Jan - 27 Jun 1856.

1856 Cornish chronicle

1888 Cambornian. Weekly
31 Mar 1888 - 25 Oct 1890; cont. as Western star 1 Nov 1890 - 1896.
BLNL: original 31 Mar 1888 - Dec 1893, (1895), Jan - 19 Dec 1896.
CSL: MIC 1894 - 1895.

1889 Cornish post and mining news
Cornish studies: MIC 1889-1944

1890 Western star
Cornish Studies: MIC 1894-95

1898 Cornish news. Weekly
Camborne. 18 Jun - 29 Oct 1898; cont. as the Cornish mail 5 Nov 1898 - 24 Jun 1899; inc. with the Cornubian
BLNL: original 18 Jun 1898 - 24 Jun 1899.

1955 Camborne-Redruth packet
Cornish Studies: MIC 1955-61
Camborne: MIC 1955-61

1970 Camborne-Redruth packet
Cornish Studies: MIC 1970-date
Cambrorne: MIC 1970-date

1972 Peninsular west

1972-74
Cornish Studies: MIC 1972-74

1983 Camborne, Redruth & district leader
Cornish Studies: MIC 1989-95

1986 Camborne packet

FALMOUTH
1801 Cornwall gazette and Falmouth packet. Weekly
Falmouth. 7 Mar 1801 - 16 Oct 1802
RIC: MIC only 7 Mar - 30 May, 13 Jun - 11, 25 Jul 1801 - 20 Feb, 5 - 13, 27 Mar, 17 - 24 Apr, 8 May - 3, 17 Jul - 16 Oct 1802.
Somerset RO: original 4 Apr, 11 - 18 Jul 1801, 4 Sep 1802.

1829 Falmouth packet
Cornish Studies: MIC 1829-48
Falmouth: MIC 1829-48

1830 Cornubian. Weekly
Falmouth. Nos. 1 - 378, 1 Oct 1830 - 28 Dec 1837; inc. with the Falmouth express.
BLNL: original 1 Oct 1830 - 28 Dec 1837
Huntingdon L: original 8 Oct 1830
RIC: original 1 Oct 1830 - 18 Dec 1832.

1838 Falmouth express and colonial journal. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 51, 6 Jan - 22 Dec 1838; new series nos. 4 - 83, 29 Dec 1838 - 8 Aug 1840; inc. with Royal Cornwall gazette
BLNL: original 6 Jan 1838 - 8 Aug 1840
CSL: original 6 Jan - 17 Nov 1838
RIC: original 27 Nov 1839

1844 Weekly times

1847 Cornwall weekly times, general advertiser, literary and scientific reporter and record of passing events. Weekly
Falmouth. Nos. 1 - 13, 16 Jan - 17 Apr 1847.
BLNL: original 16 Jan - 17 Apr 1847.

1855 Lake's Falmouth packet
Cornish Studies: MIC 1858-date
Falmouth: MIC 1858-date

1861 Falmouth and Penryn weekly times
Continued as: Cornish echo 1896-1952
Cornish Studies: MIC 1861-1952
Falmouth: MIC 1861-1952

1880 Falmouth news slip. Weekly
Falmouth. Nos. 1- 1145, 3 Jul 1880 - 21 Jun 1902
BLNL: original 3 Jul 1880 - Dec 1892, Jan 1894 - 21 Jun 1902.

1982 Falmouth, Penryn and district leader
Cornish Studies: MIC 1990-95

FOWEY See also ST AUSTELL
1901 Lostwithiel and Fowey guardian

1924 Fowey news. Weekly.
Nos. 1 - 123, 1924 - 7 Dec 1926
BLNL: original 19 Jan 7 Dec 1926

HAYLE
1869 Hayle weekly times and west Cornwall advertiser. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 2388, ? - 4 Jan 1868 - 27 Dec 1912
BLNL: original 17 Jul - 6 Nov 1869, 5 Jun 1891 - 22 Jul 1892, 3 Feb - 3 Nov 1905, 1906-10, 1912.

1911 Hayle times. Weekly.
Nos. 1 - 3, 14 - 28 Dec 1911; cont. as Hayle mail, no. 4, 4 Jan 1912 - 18 Apr 1918; later issues not numbered. Inc. with Cornishman.
‘The Hayle edition of The Cornishman’. This title contained quite a lot of Hayle news, and it would be worth the BLNL borrowing the first year of this title from the Penzance Library which holds the only surviving copy>
BLNL: 4 Apr 1913 - 18 Apr 1918.
Morrab L: 28 Dec 1911 - 18 Apr 1918.

1954 Hayle times

1989 Hayle & St Ives packet

HELSTON
1854 Helston gazette

1910 Helston advertiser. Weekly
No. 1, 16 Aug 1910 - 16 Apr 1918; later issues not numbered. The Helston edition of the Cornishman, with which it was incorporated in 1918.
BLNL: original 16 Aug 1910 - 16 Apr 1918.
Morrab L: 3 Jan 1911 - 16 Apr 1918.

1950 Cornishman, Helston ed,

1969 Helston packet
The BLNL holding of this title lacks the first two years, but the title is held complete except for the first six issues by the publishers, Express Western Newspaper Group of Falmouth, bound and in very good condition.
Cornish Studies: MIC 1972-date
Helston: MIC 1972-date

1984 Helston, Hayle and the Lizard leader
Cornish Studies: MIC 1988-95

HUGH TOWN, Scilly
1939 Island news (Scilly Isles). Weekly
Nos. 1 -14, 10 Jun - 12 Sep 1939
BLNL: 10 Jun - 12 Sep 1939.

1949 Cornishman. Isles of Scilly ed.

LAUNCESTON
1832 Guardian

1832 Reformer

1844 Launceston examiner

1856 Launceston weekly news. Weekly
Nos. 1-8910, 19 Apr 1856 - 27 Jun 1931; inc. in the Cornish and Devon post.
The first 10 years of this title are held only by the Cornish and Devon Post offices which will not allow filming
BLNL: original 3 Mar 1866 - Dec 1878, 1880-1911, 1913-27 Jun 1931; MIC 1856-66, 1878, 1897, 1912.
Cornish & Devon Post: original 19 Apr 1856 - 27 Jun 1931 (CHECK)
CSL: original 1906 - 27 Jun 1931, MIC 1856-66
Launceston: MIC 1856-66

1857 Cornish times (Launceston ed)
Cornish Studies: MIC 1857-59
Launceston: MIC 1857-59

1859 East Cornwall times. Weekly
Cornish Studies: MIC 1859-77
Launceston: MIC 1859-77

1877 Cornish and Devon post
Cornish Studies: MIC 1877-1943
Launceston: MIC 1877-1943

1900 Launceston, Devon and Cornish post

1902 Cornish and Devon post. Bodmin Wadebridge and Padstow ed.

1920 East Cornwall times
Tavistock. Circulated in Launceston, Liskeard etc.
BLNL: original 25 Jan 1924 to date; MIC 1986 onwards

1945 Okehampton post and Launceston weekly news. See Devon section

1975 Cornwall courier
COURIER SERIES (1975- ). The main newspaper in this series is the Cornwall Courier, which Cornwall County Library has had microfilmed by Wessex Microfiling from the start. There are two subsidiary editions, the St. Austell Courier and the Newquay Courier, neither of which has been included on the film.

1984 Launceston, Bude and Holsworthy gazette
Continued as Journal gazette
Cornish Studies: MIC 1988-90

1987 East Cornwall clarion

LISKEARD
1856 Liskeard gazette and east Cornwall advertiser. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 1000, 21 Jul 1856 - 26 Sep 1874; cont. as the Western herald, nos. 1001 - 1783, 3 Oct 1874 - 28 Sep 1889.
BLNL: original 21 Jul 1856 - 20 Aug 1870, 10 May 1873 - 28 Sep 1889.

1857 Cornish times and general advertiser
Newsplan film SX-034 1857–1950, except 1867, 1872, 1888, 1897, 1911.

1898 Liskeard weekly mercury. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 364, 15 Jan 1898 - 28 Sep 1910; inc. with the Western weekly mercury (Plymouth)
BLNL: 15 Jan 1898 - 28 Sep 1910
Plymouth L: 4 Jul - 26 Dec 1903.

1904 Cornish leader and east Cornwall advertiser. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 601, 9 Dec 1904 - 25 Sep 1914; inc. with Cornish guardian.
BLNL: original 9 Dec 1904 - 25 Sep 1914.

1984 Liskeard, Looe and Saltash gazette

1987 East Cornwall clarion

1987 Liskeard, Looe and district clarion

LOSTWITHIEL
1901 Lostwithiel and Fowey guardian

MARAZION
1920 Marazion and district advertiser. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 674, 1 May 1920 - 25 Mar 1933; cont. as the Penzance and district news and advertiser, nos. 675 - 680, 29 Mar - 3 May 1933; cont. as Marazion and Porthleven advertiser, nos. 681 - 1164, 13 may 1933 - 15 Aug 1942.
BLNL: original 1 May 1920 - 15 Aug 1942.

1933 Penzance and district news

NEWQUAY
1884 Newquay chronicle

1887 Newquay guardian and north Cornwall advertiser. Weekly
Nos. 1- 1292, 15 Apr 1887 - 29 Dec 1911; inc. in the Newquay Express.
BLNL: original 15 Apr 1887 - Dec 1895, Jan 1897- 29 Dec 1911

1905 Newquay express
Continued as: Newquay guardian 1946
Cornish Studies: MIC 1905-55
Newquay: MIC 1905-37

1924 Newquay news. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 233, 5 Aug 1924 - 22 Jan 1929; cont. as Newquay news and Perranporth news, nos. 234 - 259, 29 Jan - 23 Jul 1929.
BLNL: original 5 Aug 1924 - 23 Jul 1929

1924 Perranporth news (Newquay). 1924-1926.
Nos. 1 - 123, Aug? 1924 - 7 Dec 1926
BLNL: original 9 Feb - 7 Dec 1926

1955 Cornish guardian. Newquay ed.

1980 Newquay courier

1986 Newquay packet

PENRYN
1861 Falmouth and Penryn weekly times

1867 Commercial shipping and general advertiser for west Cornwall (Penryn). Weekly
Nos. 1 -2365, 8 Jun 1867 - 27 Sep 1912; cont. as the Penryn and Falmouth advertiser, nos. 2366 - 3578, 4 Oct 1912 - 27 Dec 1935.
BLNL: original 8 Jun 1867 - 27 Dec 1935

1982 Falmouth, Penryn and district leader

1986 Penryn packet

PENZANCE
1839 Penzance gazette
Cornish Studies: MIC 1839-58

1847 Penzance journal
Cornish Studies: MIC 1847-50

1851 Cornish telegraph
Cornish Studies: MIC 1851-1915

1871 Tidings (Penzance). Daily?
? Apr 1871 - 19 Jun 1886; cont. as Evening tidings 21 Jun 1886 - 17 Jan 1908; cont. as Cornish telegraph and evening tidings 18 - 21 Jan 1908; cont. as Cornish evening tidings 23 Jan 1908 - 30 Jun 1944.
BLNL: original 11 Aug 1871, 2 - 23 Jun 1873, 5 Apr 1875 - Dec 1878, (1880-81), 1882-90, 1892, 1894-95, 1899-1910, 1912-14, 1916- 30 Jun 1944; MIC 1891, 1915.
Morrab L: original 4 Jan 1889 - 30 Jun 1944.

1878 Cornishman
Cornish Studes: MIC 1878-date
Penzance: MIC 1878-date

1886 Cornish evening mail

1948 Cornishman. Penzance ed.

1982 Penzance packet
Cornish Studies: MIC 1992-95
Penzance: MIC 1992-95

PLYMOUTH
1944 Western evening herald and western evening news (Cornwall edition). Daily
Cornish evening herald, nos. 18410 - 21662, 1 Jul 1944 - 31 Dec 1954; cont. as Western evening herald and western evening news (Cornwall edition), no. 21663, 1 Jan 1955 to date
BLNL: original 1 Jul 1944 - 31 Oct 1986; change pages microfilmed with all editions film 1986 onwards.

1977 Western morning news (West Cronwall ed.)
Cornish Studies: 1977-date

REDRUTH
1846 Cornish mining reporter. Weekly
Redruth. Nos. 1 - 19, 17 Jul - 20 Nov 1846
BLNL: original 17 Jul - 20 Nov 1846.

1863 Redruth times
Continued as: Cornubian
Cornish Studies: MIC 1867-79

1879 Redruth independent. Weekly
?Jan 1879 - 5 Apr 1895.
Cornish Studies: 1879-95
BLNL: original 4 Apr 1884 - 5 Apr 1895.
CSL: original 1879 - 5 Apr 1895 (CHECK EXACT DATA)

1904 Redruth news. Weekly
8 Dec 1904 - 30 Sep 1905; inc. in the Cornish post and mining news.
Morrab L: 8 Dec 1904 - 30 Sep 1905.

1909 Cornish effective. Weekly
? 1909; cont. as the Redruth effective advertiser new series no. 1, 5 Jan 1910 - 13 Jan 1915 (later issues not numbered); inc. with the Cornish post and mining news
BLNL: original 17 Apr 7, 28 Jul - 4, 25 Aug, 8, 15 Sep, 13 Oct 1909, 5 Jan 1910 - Dec 1911, Jan 1913 -13 Jan 1915.
Morrab L: 4 Jan 1911 - Dec 1914.

1925 Redruth news. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 26, 29 Oct 1925 - 22 Apr 1926; inc. with the Cornish mail.
BLNL: original 29 Oct 1925 - 22 Apr 1926.

1926 Cornish news. Weekly
Redruth. Nos. 1-10, 23 Mar - 25 May 1926; inc. with the Cornish mail.
BLNL: original 23 Mar - 25 May 1926

1926 Cornish mail. Weekly
Redruth. Nos. 1 - 198, 25 Mar 1926 - 25 Jul 1929.
BLNL: original 22 Apr 1926 - 25 Jul 1929.

ST AUSTELL
1868 St. Austell gazette. Weekly
Nos. 1 _ 52, 3 Jul 1868 - 25 Jun 1869; probably cont. as St. Austell weekly news and county advertiser, nos. 53 - 1431, 2 Jul 1869 - 7 Dec 1895.
BLNL: original 3 Jul 1868 - 7 Dec 1895.

1869 St Austell weekly news

1889 St Austell star
Cornish Studies: MIC 1889-1915

1895 St. Austell gazette and mid-Cornwall advertiser. Weekly
Nos. 1 -94, 14 Nov 1895 - 26 Aug 1987; inc. with the St. Austell star.
BLNL: original 14 Nov - Dec 1895 , Jan - 26 Aug 1897.

1901 St Austell guardian

1924 St. Austell news. Weekly
Nos. 1 - 233, 11 Sep 1924 - 22 Jan 1929; cont. as St. Austell news and Fowey news, nos. 234 - 259, 29 Jan - 23 Jul 1929
BLNL: original 11 Sep 1924 - 23 Jul 1929.

1926 St Austell gazette
1926-1951. This was a local edition of the Royal Cornwall Gazette, although it had its own numbering. Only one file appears to have survived, in the Royal Institution of Cornwall. This file is well cared-for but is nevertheless deteriorating. It would require about 25 reels to film it complete.

1973 St Austell advertiser
Cornish Studies: MIC 1973-74

1977 St Austell packet

1978 St Austell courier

ST IVES
1889 St Ives weekly summary
Cornish Studies: MIC 1893-1918
St Ives: MIC 1893-1918
The first 10 years of this title are held only in the offices of the St. Ives Times and Echo, which has indicated that it would be willing to allow the volumes to be microfilmed. The files are in immaculate condition, well bound but open. The BLNL should ask to borrow this title to microfilm.

1899 Western echo
Cornish Studies: MIC: 1899-1957

1910 St Ives times
Continued as: St Ives times and echo
St Ives: 1913-71, MIC: 1972-date
Cornish Studies MIC: 1972-date
Newsplan film SW-045: Oct 1910-1950.

1946 Cornishman. St Ives ed.

1989 Hayle & St Ives packet

SALTASH
1895 Saltash gazette. Weekly
No. 1 - 2401, ? 1895 - 24 Apr 1941
BLNL: original 30 Mar 1905 - Dec 1911, Jan 1913 - 24 Apr 1941; MIC 1912.

1984 Liskeard, Looe and Saltash gazette

1987 Gazette

SCILLY ISLES See HUGH TOWN

TRURO
1803 Royal Cornwall gazette
Cornish Studies: MIC 1801-1951

1810 West Briton
Cornish Studies: MIC 1810-date
Truro: MIC 1810-date
Newsplan film SW-052: 1810-1950

1834 Cornish guardian and western chronicle. Weekly
Nos. 1-89, 9 Aug 1833 - 10 Apr 1835; inc. with West Briton.
BLNL: original 3 Jan 1834 - 10 Apr 1835.

1858 Cornish weekly news and general advertiser. Weekly
Truro. Nos. 1-195, 2 Jan 1858 - 21 Sep 1861; cont. as the Cornish weekly news and advertiser nos. 196 -1003, 28 Sep 1861 - 27 Oct 1877; inc. with Royal Cornwall gazette.
BLNL: original 2 Jan 1858 - 27 Oct 1877.

1904 Truro paper and Kenwyn news
15 - 29 Dec 1904; cont. as Truro paper and district news 5 Jan - 30 Sep 1905; inc. in the Cornish post and mining news.
Morrab L: 15 Dec 1904 - 30 Sep 1905

1909 Cornwall county news. Weekly
Truro. Nos. 1 -543, ? Dec 1909 - 7 Aug 1918
BLNL: original 5 Jan 1910 - 7 Aug 1918

1978 Truro packet
Cornish Studies: MIC 1986-date
Truro: MIC 1986-date

1980 West Briton Argus
Cornish Studies: MIC 1988-90
Truro: 1988-90

1988 Truro and district leader
Cornish Studies: MIC 1990-95

WADEBRIDGE
1901 Wadebridge and Padstow guardian

1902 Cornish and Devon post. Bodmin, Wadebridge and Padstow ed.

1924 Wadebridge post

1977 Wadebridge and Padstow gazette

1987 North Cornwall advertiser

DORSET

DORCHESTER

1821. Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester Gazette (1821-1823). This appears to have been the forerunner of the Dorset County Chronicle: only four issues are known to have survived, two in Weymouth Public Library, and two in Dorchester Public Library. These issues should be microfilmed and then carefully preserved on account of their significance in the history of Dorchester. It should be remembered that for many towns the first newspapers were published in the 18th century and contain little, if any, local news. This title was not started until well into the 19th century and is therefore of more local interest.

1823. Dorset County Chronicle (1823-1957). This was Dorset’s main newspaper. Much of the file has been filmed by Wessex Microfiling. The BLNL has filmed, and offers for sale, the years 1830-1862.

1856. Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette (1856-1886). The only holding of any length of this file is in the BLNL, and any microfilm would have to be bought from them. A four-page weekly throughout, it would require about 11 reels of microfilm.

1957. Journal series. When the Dorset County Chronicle ceased in 1957, this was taken over the Salisbury-based ‘Journal’ series - see below (6).

SHERBORNE

The small town of Sherborne in Dorset produced two newspapers whose importance in the west of England was out of all proportion to the size of the immediate community. In the 18th and early 19th centuries the newspapermen distributed these two papers throughout the West Country from Wiltshire to Cornwall. The news and advertisements they carried reflect life through the whole of the west of England and not just in the small area of Dorset and Somerset immediately around Sherborne.

1737. Sherborne Mercury (1737-1749). Only one file of the hard copy is known to exist; the first three years (1737-January 1740) are held in the private collection of Sherborne Castle, and are not available for public use. A microfilm of this file was made in 1975 by Wessex Microfiling. The remaining years (1740-1749) are held by the Somerset County Record Office; they are in good condition although the first pages need some preparation. The whole file was filmed by Wessex Microfiling.

1749. Western Flying Post (1749-1867). This was formed by the amalgamation of the Sherborne Mercury (above) with the Western Flying Post (a Yeovil paper of which only one copy is known to have survived, reported framed in the boardroom of the offices of the Western Gazette). The two titles are often confused owing to the fact that the newspaper continued to be known as the Sherborne Mercury. The whole run was filmed by Wessex Microfiling in the 1970s. Only the Somerset County Record Office hold a fairly complete set, received from the publisher (now the Western Gazette) and therefore sometimes heavily marked; the years 1826-1828 were reported unfit to use but much of it is still in very good condition.

Although a film of these two titles already exists, it could in no way be considered suitable as a national archive, and the re-making of a better quality film for such an important newspaper should be considered a priority. Harvester Press is considering filming to the end of the 18th century; if this is done, the BLNL should consider either filming or commissioning a film of the years before the BLNL holding starts in 1829. As there are several locations for the early years (Royal Institution of Cornwall, Dorset County Museum, Exeter Public Library, Somerset County Record Office) the files should be examined in more detail to ensure that the best original is used in each case. It is to be hoped that Harvester Press and the BLNL could reach an agreement whereby a copy of the master negative is made available for a national archive of master negative at the BLNL.

1764. Sherborne Journal (1764-1886). This title, also know as Cruttwell’s Sherborne Journal, set up as a rival to the Western Flying Post in 1764. The Sherborne Journal survived as the Western Chronicle to 1931. Although it is of secondary importance to the Sherborne Mercury, like its rival it circulated throughout the south-west. No microfilm of this title has yet been made, probably because there is no complete file, and the surviving volumes are fairly scattered. Issues have survived for only 35 of the 64 years before the start of the BLNL’s holding in 1829.

SWANAGE

1919. Swanage Times and Directory (1919-1936). The Dorchester Reference Library’s holding of this title is incomplete and deteriorating fast. The British Library has a complete set which would require about 18 reels to microfilm. In view of the condition of the only remaining file in Dorset this should be considered a high priority for filming.

1944. Swanage Times and Dorset County Chronicle (?1944). This appears to be a local edition of the Dorset County Chronicle. Only 1944 survives, held by the Dorchester Reference Library.

1958. Swanage Times and Dorset Herald (?-1983). Only Dorchester Reference Library holds this title before 1958 (BLNL 1958 - ); like the Poole and Dorset Herald, this is a local edition of the Bournemouth Times with the front and centre pages changed. The files of this title held by the newspaper offices are gradually being handed over to Dorset County Library: those already handed over are at the Dorchester Reference Library, others (dates not specified) are to follow.

Although an article in the Dorset Evening Echo for 7 January 1971 states that ‘the Swanage Times is 150 years old ...’ (thus relating it to the supposed start date of the Dorset County Chronicle), the Swanage Times as such never had a separate existence, and its numbering was that of the newspaper with which it was incorporated. After its incorporation with the Dorset County Chronicle in 1937 it has always been a local edition of another title and is therefore not a high priority for filming after that date.

WEYMOUTH

1821. Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester Gazette (?1821-? ). This appears to have been the first Weymouth newspaper, of which only two copies survive at Weymouth Public Library, nos.33 and 34, dated 16 and 23 August 1821. (This was probably the forerunner of the Dorset County Chronicle, whose start date is often given as 4 January 1821.) Following this was a small weekly magazine with local advertisements, the Western Literary Gazette, first published as the Weymouth Tatler and Jersey and Guernsey Visitor, in September 1833. Weymouth Public Library holds the only known copy of this, 18 issues from 2 September to 30 December 1833.

1851. Southern Times (1851-1954). The Southern Times and its successors constitute Weymouth’s longest running newspaper, and together with The ‘Telegram’ series are the main Weymouth newspapers from the middle of the 19th century. Weymouth Public Library has an incomplete set with many years duplicated at the Dorchester Reference Library.

After 1954 the Southern Times became incorporated in the ‘Journal’ series, based at Salisbury and then Bridport, although they remained Weymouth, Dorchester papers. There are several sets still in existence in reasonably good condition (Weymouth and Dorchester Public Libraries, Dorset County Museum, BLNL); they will need to be microfilmed in the foreseeable future, but this is not urgent.

1921. Dorset Daily Press (1921-1924). This title survived for 2« years only; a four-page daily, it would require about eight reels of microfilm only.

1921. Dorset Daily Echo/Dorset Evening Echo (1921- ). Dorset County Library has an arrangement with the publishers to share the cost of microfilm by Wessex Microfiling. It is to be hoped that this can extend retrospectively using BLNL microfilm.

1865. DORSET ‘TELEGRAM’ SERIES

Of the early (pre-1886) group of Telegrams, the main paper seems to have been the Weymouth Telegram: the variations in the others seem to have been small, so it would be most useful to film the longest run, the Weymouth Telegram. The other two pre-1886 titles formed the Western Chronicle in 1886 and moved to Yeovil, i.e. out of Dorset into Somerset. The Telegram (1886-1901) was also printed and published in Yeovil, but returned to Dorset in 1901 as the Weymouth Telegram, the Dorchester Telegram and the Portland Telegram. Of these three, the Weymouth Telegram should be first priority for filming - together with its predecessors it would require about 67 reels to film (approx. one reel/year). The minor Telegrams should be checked to see if the change pages could be incorporated in the same reels of film as the Weymouth Telegram, or whether they should be treated as separate papers.

1865. Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis Telegram (1865-1869, 1874-1886): 16 reels

1874. Blandford, Wimborne and Poole Telegram (1874-1886): 12 reels

1879. Poole Telegram (1879-1886): seven reels

1901. Dorchester Telegram/Mail (1901-1927): 26½ reels

1910. Portland Telegram (1910, 1913, 1915): three reels

Of the last two, post-1901, Telegrams, the Dorchester Telegram/Mail should be considered the most important, as the publishers considered it to be a separate newspaper by 1904 when it changed its title to the Dorchester Mail.

Of all the Telegrams, with the exception of the Portland Telegram which is held only by Weymouth Public Library, the British Library holds the most complete files and microfilm would therefore have to be bought from the British Library.

BOURNEMOUTH

1858. Bournemouth Visitor’s Directory (1858-1919). Bournemouth, being a resort town, does not have a long history, and did not have a newspaper until 1858 when the Bournemouth Visitors’ Directory started. This being the main 19th-century newspaper, Bournemouth Public Library has had it microfilmed from the beginning of the BLNL holding in 1868. The film was made with three different cameras: 1868-1876 is BLNL negative film; 1877-1908 was made by Micro-methods (the master negatives for these years are held by Microform Ltd., which advertises the sale of this title in its catalogue); 1909-1919 was filmed by Wessex Microfiling. Bournemouth (Springbourne) Public Library holds a hard copy file 1901-1919, but the location of the originals used for filming the years 1877-1899 is not known. An incomplete file of five of the first 10 years of this title, i.e. 1862-1867, is held in the offices of the ‘Advertiser’ series in Poole.

1919. Bournemouth Times (1919-1983). This was the direct successor to the Bournemouth Visitors’ Directory, and has been microfilmed from 1965 onwards, first by Micro methods to 1976, and then by Wessex Microfiling. The film is all of a high standard, although the negatives for 1965-1976 are held by Microform Ltd. The years between 1919 and 1964 have not been filmed, and would require up to 90 reels to do so. There is a complete file in the Bournemouth (Springbourne) Public Library which is in good condition, but the binding is quite tight.

1875. Bournemouth Observer (1875-1901)/Observer and Chronicle (1881-1909). This title had a somewhat chequered history throughout its 26 years; it probably started life as the Dorset Free Press in Wimborne in 1874, and, for the first 16 issues, continued the numbering of that paper. In 1876 it became twice weekly, with a slightly different title on the Wednesday issues; in 1881 the Saturday issues became the Observer and Chronicle for Hants and Dorset, which the BLNL treats as a separate title, and which continued as a weekly until 1909. There are complete files of both titles in Bournemouth (Springbourne) Public Library, which could be used to supply the BLNL’s missing years if a microfilm were to be made by the BLNL. Treated as separate titles, the Bournemouth Observer would require about 26 reels, and the Observer and Chronicle would require about 30 reels. The titles are interfiled in the Springbourne set for the years in which the two titles represented a twice weekly, i.e. August 1876 - October 1901.

1883. Bournemouth Guardian (1883-1928). There is a complete file of this in the Bournemouth (Springbourne) Public Library, though in rapidly deteriorating condition. The BLNL file lacks 1911, which was reported in Springbourne but not found. A large 8-12 page broadsheet, this title would require about one reel/year to film, i.e. 45 reels.

1900. Bournemouth Daily Echo/Evening Echo (1900- ). The newspaper offices hold a complete file of this title, but are interested in holding microfilm. The other ‘Echo’ offices belonging to the Southern Newspapers group have had all editions filmed, and the Bournemouth Public Library wants only the last edition. The early files in Bournemouth (Springbourne) Public Library are in poor condition, indeed some microfilm has been made of them; it would probably be better to use the BLNL files for the early years, since these will be in a much better condition. From 1966 the file has been filmed to a high standard commercially. Between 1920 and 1966 the Springbourne files are in much better condition. Current filming is by Wessex Microfiling.

1902. Bournemouth Graphic (1902-1937). An illustrated 16-page tabloid weekly, this title would require about one reel/year to film. The Bournemouth Public Library set is in very good condition.

CHRISTCHURCH

1855. Christchurch Times (1855-1983). This was Christchurch’s first main newspaper for nearly 130 years. In 1983, bowing to market forces, it became a free newspaper, one of the ‘Advertiser’ series. The Advertiser offices in Poole hold a file from issue no.4 (21 July 1855), although the years 1856-1858 could not be found. Christchurch Public Library hold a file from issue no.41, so in order to produce as complete a microfilm as possible the BLNL would have to ask to borrow from both these sources. The file held in the Advertiser offices is not in good condition, and it may be that many issues are missing. The file in Christchurch Public Library is incomplete. The complete file would require about 112 reels.

1872. Christchurch and Bournemouth Chronicle (1872-1876). Bournemouth (Springbourne) Public Library has an incomplete file of this title, but the only complete file is in the BLNL. Only four reels would be required to film this short-lived paper.

1960. Christchurch Herald (1960-1972). A recent tabloid newspaper (average 32 pages), this title never competed successfully with the Christchurch Times. There is a file of seven years (1963-1969) in good condition in Bournemouth (Springbourne) Library, but the binding is too tight for microfilming. The BLNL has a complete file which would require about 20 reels to film.

POOLE

1846. Poole and Dorset Herald (1846-1983). A local edition of the Bournemouth Times, with (latterly) front and centre pages changed. This was Poole’s longest running newspaper. The newspaper offices gave their best file to Poole Public Library and this holding has been filmed by Wessex Microfiling. The file was incomplete in 1985, lacking about 17 complete years and about 18 months scattered throughout the file, there were then plans to complete this file and this has now been achieved by the Poole Local History Centre.

1879. Poole Telegram (1879-1886). One of the early Dorset ‘Telegram’ series. While probably only a regional edition of the Weymouth Telegram, it is probably the most important of the early regional variants; requiring only seven reels to film, it justifies microfilming as a second priority when the Weymouth Telegram has been filmed. The only file of any length is in the BLNL so the film would have to be bought from the British Library.

1936. Poole and Parkstone Standard (1936-1937). Poole Public Library has a well bound copy of this title. Not a high priority for filming.

1924. Poole Observer (1924)/Poole Pilot (1867-1869). Both these titles are held by Poole Public Library only, well bound, in very good condition.

1983. Poole Advertiser (1983- ). The free successor to the Poole and Dorset Herald; Poole Public Library (i.e. Dorset County Library) plans to have this title microfilmed when budget and contract arrangements permit.

1957. DORSET ‘JOURNAL’ SERIES

The Dorset County Chronicle ceased on 25 April 1957 and was taken over by the ‘Journal’ series, published by Bennett Brothers, whose main newspaper was the Salisbury Journal. The firm took over the publishing of the Weymouth newspaper, the Southern Times, in 1954, and the Bridport News in 1957. The resulting newspapers merged and diverged, changing title several times; to complicate matters further there was no numbering, so it is difficult to identify continuations. The head office was always in Salisbury although the papers were not Salisbury papers. Of all the newspapers in the south-west this one is the true cataloguer’s nightmare. The continuations appear to be as follows:

1855. Bridport News (1855- ). This paper never changed title throughout, and since it is not held in the County Library prior to its take-over by Bennett Brothers in 1957, Dorset County Library plans to have it filmed when funds permit. There is a complete file in the offices in Bridport and the BLNL has an almost complete file, lacking the first issue and the years 1897, 1898 and 1911. It would probably require about 100 reels to film.

1954. Weymouth and Portland Times (3 December 1954 - 26 April 1957); Southern Journal and Wessex Post (3 May - 13 September 1957);

1957. Southern Times and Weymouth and Portland Times (20 September 1957 - 22 February 1963).

1954. Southern Journal and Wessex Post (3 March 1954 - 22 February 1963)

1955. Dorchester and District Journal (5 March - 14 May 1955); Southern and Dorchester Journal (21 May 1955 - 22 February 1963)

These last three seem to have been published simultaneously and the content appears to have been the same although this is difficult to check because not all the files are in the same place. Before microfilm for the post-1954 period is ordered the newspapers should be carefully checked to see whether they are identical with the Bridport News. If this is the case a microfilm of the complete run of the Bridport News would cover all these titles.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

CHELTENHAM

1809. Cheltenham Chronicle (1809-1975). This was Cheltenham’s first newspaper and there is therefore heavy pressure on the early years, of which Cheltenham Public Library holds the only known copies. There are two copies of the years 1809-1810, but one of them has a broken binding, the front board is lost, and the first two issues have been lost. It is therefore regarded as a matter of some urgency that the early years of this title be microfilmed by the British Library before there is further damage, and it is hoped that Cheltenham Public Library can have the damaged volume repaired as soon as possible. The other volume is in good condition. If a microfilm were available this volume could perhaps be removed from open access.

1809-1819. Cheltenham Public Library has an apparently complete file of these years; the BLNL should ask to borrow microfilm these years (which it does not hold); the BLNL would presumably supply a free positive copy. It is a four-page weekly, and this should not amount to more than four reels of microfilm.

1820-1826. Cheltenham Public Library holds only odd issues for these years; the British Library file is also very incomplete. The offices were asked if they held these years, but have not replied.

1827-1835. The British Library holds these years and would only sell the microfilm at full price. These are the years missing from the Cheltenham Public Library set and before the advent of other Cheltenham newspapers. As these years would probably represent only three reels of microfilm (current price £40 per reel), Cheltenham Public Library should purchase at least these years; it would be even more desirable to purchase up to 1848 (four more reels) to fill the gap, and take pressure off its badly damaged files of 1844-1847.

1824. Cheltenham Journal (1824-1868). This was the second Cheltenham newspaper in the field. The first three years (8 November 1824 - end 1826) are held only by Cheltenham Public Library and are in very poor condition. The British Library should film at least these first three years and supply Cheltenham Public Library with a free positive copy to take the pressure off the only existing and rapidly deteriorating file.

1839. Cheltenham Looker-On (1839-1913). This is small, well bound, and not in any danger. The British Library has a set.

1834. Cheltenham Free Press (1839-1913). Newsplan film Sw-064 1834 - 1908, except 1873, 1890 - 91, 1897.

1839. Cheltenham Examiner (1839-1913). Cheltenham Public Library’s set of this title is on the whole in good condition, though there are some poor years, particularly 1860 and 1890. To microfilm this title (probably 70 reels) would at present be beyond the means of the County Library. The British Library has a complete set.

1866. Cheltenham Express (1866-1888). The British Library’s file of this title is incomplete; if a file is to be made up for microfilming, the files from Cheltenham Public Library will have to be used for October-December 1867 and October 1869-December 1873.

1855. Cheltenham Mercury (1855-1903). The Cheltenham Public Library set of this title has been heavily used and is in poor condition. The BLNL has a complete set, for which at least 40 reels of microfilm would be required.

1868. Cheltenham Telegraph (1868-1872)/ Evening Telegram (1874-1882). The BLNL holds both these titles in full. (From September 1879 to the end of 1882, the Cheltenham Express was published with the Evening Telegram: Cheltenham Public Library holds these issues only, bound in with the Cheltenham Express.)

1873. Gloucestershire Echo (1873- ). The BLNL holds a set of this title from 1884; the Cheltenham Public Library set, dating from 1914, has been heavily used and is in poor condition.

CIRENCESTER

1718. Cirencester Post (?1718-?1723). Little is known of this first Cirencester newspaper, which was a small 12-page weekly. 13 issues survive in the British Library, and one issue and the last four pages of another issue survive in the Bingham Library, Cirencester. It would not be difficult to copy this newspaper, on account of its small size, but the printer has been over-generous with the ink.

1740. Cirencester Flying Post (?1740-1746). This newspaper survives in two bound volumes: the Bingham Library, Cirencester holds the 2½ years October 1741-February 1744, and Gloucester Public Library holds the 2½ years May 1744 - December 1746. The British Library has considered filming this title, but the second volume at least (and preferably the first volume also) would need to be disbound for filming and re-bound. A four-page weekly, this would require less than two reels, if filmed at one page per frame.

1837. Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard (1837- ). This paper, the chief paper of the Bailey Brothers’ Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire ‘Standard’ series. has been filmed complete by the BLNL. See also notes on their ‘Standard’ series (5).

1851. Cirencester and Swindon Express (1851-1852). Started as a rival to the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, this newspaper soon outstripped the older paper, and the latter title was bought up by the proprietor of the Cirencester and Swindon Express. However, the older named was retained, and the Cirencester and Swindon Express as such lasted only eight months. An eight-page weekly, it would require less than one reel of microfilm, and would complement the microfilm of the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard. Hard copy files survive only in the BLNL and the Cirencester offices of Bailey Brothers.

DURSLEY

1878. Dursley Gazette series (1878- ). This series, which started as the Dursley, Berkeley and Sharpness Gazette, gradually added editions until there were six editions from the 1930s to the 1960s. There are at present eight editions, some of which vary very little (the Dursley Gazette and the Wotton-under-Edge Gazette are often though not always identical); others, particularly those covering the area nearer Bristol, have several change pages. The change pages are not regular and are not marked by the publisher. Newsplan film Sw-042 Oct 1878-1950.

GLOUCESTER

1722. Gloucester Journal (1722- ). An unbroken 250-year run. Gloucester Library holds a file in excellent condition until the early 19th century, when the BLNL file takes over in terms of condition.

Gloucester Gazette. Little is known about the history of this newspaper and it is only briefly mentioned by Roland Austin in his history of Gloucester newspapers, written for the bicentenary of the Gloucester Journal in 1922. Only one file survives of this newspaper: Gloucester Library holds one volume from April 1792 - November 1796. The volume is tightly bound and would need to be unbound for filming. Harvester Press would like to film the volume and has stated informally that it might be willing to pay for re-binding. Not more than two reels would be required.

1801. Gloucester Herald (1801-1828). A film of Gloucester Library’s very incomplete file of this title was made by Micromedia under contract from the BLNL.

1828. Gloucester Mercury (1828-1829). It was suggested by Roland Austin that this was a successor to the Gloucester Herald but there is no evidence to prove this - it is not certain that the Gloucester Herald ceased with the last known issue. Only the BLNL holds this title, which would require only half a reel to film.

1833. Gloucestershire Chronicle (1833-1928). This newspaper was for nearly 100 years regarded as the only serious rival to the Gloucester Journal. Three good files are known to have survived; in the Gloucester Library, the BLNL, and a file in very good condition from 1833 to 1861 in the offices of the Bailey Newspaper Group in Cirencester. The paper was a four-page weekly to 1856; thereafter it would require one reel/year to film, a total of about 81 reels.

1855. Gloucester Free Press/Gloucester Mercury (1855-1884). Newsplan film Sw-041 July 1855-1873, except 1861.

Gloucestershire News (1870-1872). The only complete file of this title is in the BLNL. The title should be filmed as the forerunner of the next title.

1872. Gloucester Standard (1872-1902). Gloucester Public Library has a complete file of this title. The newspapers are in good condition but the bindings are poor and very tight and the papers would not stand much handling. An eight-page weekly, it would require 30 reels to microfilm: Gloucester Library’s copy of the BLNL’s missing year, 1898, is in good condition but very tightly bound.

1876. The Citizen (1876- ). Although this newspaper was the last important Gloucester newspaper to start, as a daily paper with many editions, the 20th-century files of this title pose a considerable problem.

Minor Gloucester newspapers. Throughout the 19th century, numerous small newspapers were started and probably failed early. Only odd issues of these are known, mostly in Gloucester Local Studies Library. As individual issues are easily damaged, stolen or mislaid, a microfilm should be made, possibly entitled ‘Minor Gloucester Newspapers - 19th Century’; less than one reel would be required, as follows:

1832. Gloucester and Cheltenham Standard 1 September - 20 October 1832 8 issues Gloucester Local Studies

1859. City of Gloucester Guardian 24 September - 31 December 1859 15 issues BLNL

1863. Gloucester City and County News 30 September - 11 November 1863 7 issues BLNL

1875. Gloucester Independent 9 October - 6 November 1875 5 issues Gloucester Local Studies

1876. Gloucester Herald 6 May 1876 only 1 issue Gloucester Local Studies

1878. Gloucester Guardian 27 June, 3 July 1878 2 issues Gloucester Local Studies

1879. Gloucester Observer 14, 28 June 1879 2 issues Gloucester Local Studies

1881. Evening Mercury 21 March 1881 1 issue Gloucester Local Studies

1884. Gloucester Times 12 April - 19 July 1884 2 issues Gloucester Local Studies

1888. Gloucester Times 8 December 1888, 1889. 2, 16 March 1889 2 issues BLNL

1910. Gloucester Free Press and Forest of Dean Advertiser (1910-1911). This small, four-page weekly survives in one file only: 13 issues in Gloucester Library. As the forerunner of the next title, it could be microfilmed on the same reel.

1911. Gloucester Household News (1911-1912). The BLNL file of this title lacks four issues, all of which are present in Gloucester Library’s complete file. Together with its forerunner (above) the file covers just over one year; this four-page weekly could perhaps be incorporated into the minor newspapers film suggested above.

1923. Weekly Record (1923-1924). An eight-page weekly which survived for 44 issues only, this title is held only by Gloucester Library.

1923. Labour Observer (1923-1928). As a monthly, this title does not fall into the category of newspaper, but it was an important Gloucester news magazine at the time of the industrial troubles of the 1920s.

STROUD

1850. Stroud Free Press (1850-?1855). This, despite the claims of the later Stroud Journal, seems to have been Stroud’s first newspaper. It has been filmed by the BLNL to the penultimate issue. Gloucester Local Studies Library holds the last known issues.

1854. Stroud Journal (1854-1957). The only surviving file of this outside the BLNL is in the offices of the Stroud News and Journal in very poor condition. The paper was an eight-page weekly broadsheet and would require one reel/year to film, i.e. 103 reels.

1867. Stroud News (1867-1957). Exactly the same notes apply to the Stroud News, which would require approximately 90 reels to film.

1957. Stroud News and Journal (1957- ). This was formed by the amalgamation of the above two papers. The files in the newspaper offices, the only files outside the British Library, are in very good condition, but because of the space problems the offices have reluctantly restricted public access. This title would require about two reels per year to film, i.e. about 53 reels to the present.

GLOUCESTERSHIRE, OXFORDSHIRE AND WILTSHIRE ‘STANDARD’ SERIES

Six newspapers are published in this series. Although based in Gloucestershire they extend their circulation areas into Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. Some of them are recent and if two counties were to share the filming costs, maintaining a microfilm file of them would not be too expensive.

1859. Marlborough Times and Standard (1859- ). Although one of the ‘Standard’ series since 1966, this is a substantially different newspaper and should be treated individually. Wiltshire Library and Museum Services are considering microfilming the file when funds permit.

1981. North Cotswold Standard (1981- ) (Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire). Although based at Stow-on-the-Wold, this newspaper publishes a Chipping Norton edition and circulates in north and west Oxfordshire. A 20 page tabloid at present, it would require only one reel/year to film. Ideally it should be filmed with the change pages for the Chipping Norton edition. Since its start the change pages have been to the front two and the back two pages, and the file in the newspaper offices (Bailey Brothers, Cirencester office) has these pages bound in. If a microfilm with the change pages were required it might be that the offices would lend their files, although they do not want microfilm.

1837. Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard (1837- ). This title, which was taken into the ‘Standard’ series in 1959, has been microfilmed, apparently twice for some years. The BLNL has filmed the whole file to date, and is continuing, for Cirencester Library, and Wiltshire County Library have had 16 years filmed by Wessex Microfiling. Wiltshire Library and Museum Services would find it more economical to purchase from the BLNL, unless they want an edition substantially different from the one filmed by the BLNL.

1970. North Wiltshire Standard (1970- ) / West Oxfordshire Standard (1967- )/Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard - Tetbury and Malmsbury edition. These are all local variants of the Wilts and Gloucester Standard. To preserve all these on microfilm to the best advantage would require considerable co-operation between Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire county libraries. The publisher is not interested in purchasing microfilm so has not marked the change pages. To do so for the files back to 1970 and 1967 would probably be more expensive in terms of labour than filming the whole newspapers, although the only complete files are in the Cirencester offices of the Bailey Newspaper Group, each title bound individually.

SOMERSET

BRIDGWATER

1825 BRIDGWATER AND SOMERSETSHIRE HERALD
5 Jan 1831 - 8 Aug 1831
Continued as: Alfred, London and Weekly Journal, and Bridgwater and Somersetshire General Advertiser, 10 Aug 1831 - 30 Dec 1833
British Library, Colindale: 5 Jan 1831 - 30 Dec 1833
Somerset RO: 1832-1833
Bridgwater PL: MIC: 5 Jan 1831 - 30 Dec 1833
Taunton PL: MIC: 5 Jan 1831 - 30 Dec 1833
Master negative: 5 Jan 1831 - 30 Dec 1833 BLNL

1846 BRIDGWATER TIMES
1 Jan 1846 - 11 Sep 1861
British Library, Colindale: 1 Jan 1846 - 11 Sep 1861
Somerset RO: 1851-1861
Bridgwater PL: MIC: 1 Jan 1846 - 11 Sep 1861
Taunton PL: MIC: 1 Jan 1846 - 11 Sep 1861
Master negative: 1 Jan 1846 - 1850 BLNL, 1851 - 11 Sep 1861
Somerset RO

1857 BRIDGWATER MERCURY
25 Jun 1857 to date
British Library, Colindale: 25 Jun 1857 - 1864, 1866-1885, 1887 to date
Somerset RO: 1864-1904, 1907-1930, 1949-1950, 1952-1953 (some issues missing)
Bridgwater PL: MIC: 25 Jun 1857 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 25 Jun 1857 to date
Master negative: 25 Jun 1857 - 1864, 1866-1872, 1874-1885, 1887-1896, 1898-1930, 1948-1950 Newsplan2000, 1865-1866, 1873, 1897, 1954-1980 BLNL, 1886, 1951-1953, 1981 to date Somerset
RO

1861 BRIDGWATER STANDARD
16 Oct 1861 - 26 Mar 1870
British Library, Colindale: 16 Oct 1861 - 26 Mar 1870
Bridgwater PL: MIC: 16 Oct 1861 - 26 Mar 1870
Taunton PL: MIC: 16 Oct 1861 - 26 Mar 1870
Master negative: 16 Oct 1861 - 26 Mar 1870 BLNL

1871 BRIDGWATER GAZETTE
1871 - 4 Jul 1885
Continued as: Bridgwater Independent, 11 Jul 1885 - 10 Jun 1933
British Library, Colindale: 23 Apr 1874 - 1895, 1898, 1900- 1910, 1912 - 10 Jun 1933
Somerset RO: 1885-1928 (some issues missing)
Bridgwater PL: MIC: 1886-1895, 1898, 1900-1910, 1912 - 10 Jun 1933
Taunton PL: MIC: 1886-1895, 1898, 1900-1910, 1912 - 10 Jun 1933
Master negative: 1886-1895, 1898, 1900-1910, 1912 - 10 Jun 1933 Newsplan2000

BURNHAM-ON-SEA AND HIGHBRIDGE

1871 BURNHAM AND HIGHBRIDGE GAZETTE
1871-1877
Continued as Highbridge, Burnham and Axbridge Gazette, 1877 - 9 Jul 1881
British Library, Colindale: 22 Apr 1874 - 9 Jul 1881

1894 HIGHBRIDGE ECHO
12 May 1894 - 29 Jul 1905 (as Bridgwater Echo 1 Mar 1902 – 19 Mar 1904)
Incorporated in Burnham Herald (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale: 12 May 1894 - 29 Jul 1905

1895 BURNHAM-ON-SEA GAZETTE
26 Oct 1895 - 13 Oct 1947
Continued as Burnham-on-Sea Gazette and Highbridge Express, 20 Oct 1947 to date
British Library, Colindale: 26 Oct 1895 to date
Bridgwater PL: MIC: 26 Oct 1895 - 1946, 1948 to date
Burnham PL: MIC: 26 Oct 1895 - 1946, 1948 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 26 Oct 1895 - 1946, 1948 to date
Master negative: 1903-1904, 1948-1974, 1983 BLNL, 1895-1902, 1905-1947, 1975-1982, 1984 to date Somerset RO

1905 BURNHAM HERALD
27 May 1905 - 27 Nov 1909
Continued as Burnham and Highbridge Post
4 Dec 1909 - 9 Jul 1910
British Library, Colindale: 27 May 1905 - 9 Jul 1910

1906 LOCAL NEWS
5 May 1906 - 15 Jun 1907
Continued as Highbridge Echo and Burnham and District Recorder, 30 Jul 1910 - 3 Apr 1920
British Library, Colindale: 5 May 1906 - 3 Apr 1920

1920 HIGHBRIDGE EXPRESS
17 Apr 1920 - 30 Aug 1947
Incorporated in Burnham-on-Sea Gazette (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale: 17 Apr 1920 - 30 Aug 1947

1922 HIGHBRIDGE INDEPENDENT
7 Jul 1922 - 10 Jun 1933
Incorporated in Bridgwater Mercury (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale: 7 Jul 1922 - 10 Jun 1933

1931 BURNHAM-ON-SEA AND HIGHBRIDGE ADVERTISER
22 Jan - 28 May 1931
British Library, Colindale: 22 Jan - 28 May 1931

1986 BURNHAM AND HIGHBRIDGE WEEKLY NEWS
13 Mar 1986 to date
Bridgwater PL: MIC: 1989 to date
Burnham PL: MIC: 1989 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 1989 to date
Master negative: 1989 to date Somerset RO

CHARD

1838 CHARD UNION GAZETTE
1838-1841
British Library, Colindale: Jan 1840 - May 1841
Somerset RO: 1838 - 1841

1859 NOWLAN'S WEEKLY CHRONICLE
5 Feb 1859 - 31 Mar 1883
British Library, Colindale: 5 Feb 1859 - 31 Mar 1883

1874 CHARD AND ILMINSTER NEWS
7 Nov 1874 to date
British Library, Colindale: 31 Jul 1875 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 31 Jul 1875 to date
Master negative: 31 Jul 1875 to date BLNL

1883 CHARD, ILMINSTER AND AXMINSTER WEEKLY ADVERTISER
6 Apr 1883 - 26 Aug 1885
British Library, Colindale: 6 Apr 1883 - 26 Aug 1885

CHEDDAR

1866 AXBRIDGE AND CHEDDAR GAZETTE
12 Jan 1866 - 29 Nov 1867
British Library, Colindale: 12 Jan 1866 - 29 Nov 1867
Master negative: 12 Jan 1866 - 29 Nov 1867 BLNL

1908 CHEDDAR VALLEY TIMES
5 Jun 1908 - 13 Feb 1926
Continued as Cheddar Valley Gazette, 20 Feb 1926 - 30 Mar 1935, 1954 to date
British Library, Colindale: 29 May 1914 - 30 Mar 1935, 24 May 1957 to date
Street PL: MIC: 1982 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 24 May 1957 to date
Wells PL: MIC: 24 May 1957 to date
Master negative: 24 May 1957 - 1981 BLNL, 1982 to date Somerset RO

CREWKERNE

1857 PULMAN'S WEEKLY NEWS
10 Mar 1857 to date
British Library, Colindale: 10 Mar 1857 - 1893, 1857 to date
Somerset RO: 1857 - 1969 (missing 1924, Jan-Jun 1953)
Taunton PL: MIC: 1857-1860, 1863-1865, 1878-1885, 1887-1888, 1890-1892, 1917-1921, Jul 1922 - 1923, Jul-Dec 1924, 1926- 1927, 1930-1932, 1940-1951 (all editions), 1861, 1866-1878,
1886, 1889, 1893-1916, Jan-Jun 1922, Jan-Jun 1924, 1925, 1928-1929, 1933-1939, 1952-1987 (Somerset edition)
Yeovil PL: MIC: as above 1857-1980
Master negative: 1861, 1866-1878, 1886, 1889, 1893-1916, Jan-Jun 1922, Jan-Jun 1924, 1925, 1928-1929, 1933-1939, 1952-1987 (Somerset edition) BLNL, 1857-1860, 1863-1865, 1878-1885,
1887-1888, 1890-1892, 1917-1921, Jul 1922 -1923, Jul-Dec 1924, 1926-1927, 1930-1932, 1940-1951 (all editions) Somerset RO

1878 WEST OF ENGLAND EXPRESS
29 Jul 1878 - 28 Mar 1881
Incorporated in Somerset County Mail (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale, 29 Jul 1878 - 28 Mar 1881

1878 SOMERSET COUNTY MAIL
8 Aug 1878 - 6 Mar 1958 with various suspensions and title changes
British Library, Colindale: 7 Apr 1881 - 24 Jun 1897, 7 Jan 1914 - 7 Aug 1915, 12 Mar 1919 - 20 Jul 1921, 27 Jul 1921 – 27 Dec 1944, 1 Jan 1947 - 6 Mar 1858

FROME
1855 SOMERSET AND WILTS JOURNAL
7 Jul 1855 - 1 May 1925
Incorporated in Somerset Standard (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale: 7 Jul 1855 - 1897, 1900 - 1 May
1925
Frome PL: MIC: 7 Jul 1855 - 1897, 1900 - 1 May 1925
Taunton PL: MIC: 7 Jul 1855 - 1897, 1900 - 1 May 1925
Master negative: 7 Jul 1855 - 1897, 1900 - 1 May 1925 BLNL

1859 ILLUSTRATED FROME PAPER
1 Jan 1859 - 18 Jun 1859
Continued as: East Somerset Telegraph, 25 Jun 1859 - 25 Sep 1886
British Library, Colindale: 1 Jan 1859 - 25 Sep 1886

1859 FROME TIMES
20 Jul 1859 - 5 May 1886
Continued as: Somerset Standard, 15 May 1886 to date
British Library, Colindale: 20 Jul 1859 - Sep 1869, Feb 1870 to date
Frome PL: MIC: 20 Jul 1859 - Sep 1869, Feb 1870 - 1895, 1898 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 20 Jul 1859 - Sep 1869, Feb 1870 - 1895, 1898 to date
Master negative: 20 Jul 1859 - Sep 1869, Feb 1870 - 1895, 1898-1976, 1980 BLNL, 1977-1979, 1981 to date Somerset RO

1876 FROME ADVERTISER
3 Jun 1876 - 23 Feb 1878
British Library, Colindale: 3 Jun 1876 - 23 Feb 1878

GLASTONBURY AND STREET

1861 CENTRAL SOMERSET GAZETTE
1861 to date
British Library, Colindale, 25 Oct 1862 - Jun 1869, 1870 to date
Street PL: MIC: 25 Oct 1862 - Jun 1869, 1870 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 25 Oct 1862 - Jun 1869, 1870 to date
Wells PL: MIC: 1982 to date
Master negative: 25 Oct 1862 - Jun 1869, 1870-1981 BLNL, 1982 to date Somerset RO

1890 AVALON INDEPENDENT, GLASTONBURY, STREET AND WEST SOMERSET
NEWS
6 Jun 1890 - 10 Jun 1933
British Library, Colindale: 6 Jun 1890 - 10 Jun 1933

LANGPORT

1855 LANGPORT HERALD
7 Jul 1855 - 1 May 1937
British Library, Colindale: 7 Jul 1855 - Mar 1872, Jan 1873 - 1896, 1898 - 1 May 1937
Taunton PL: MIC: 7 Jul 1855 - Mar 1872, Jan 1873 - 1896, 1898 - 1 May 1937
Master negative: 7 Jul 1855, Mar 1872, Jan 1873 - 1896, 1898 - 1 May 1937 BLNL

MARTOCK

1883 PALMER'S WEEKLY NEWS
11 Mar 1883 - 19 Jul 1917
British Library, Colindale: 8 Mar 1894 - 19 Jul 1917 (some
1894 and 1895 issues missing)

MILVERTON

1898 MILVERTON MAIL
6 Jan 1898 - 28 Dec 1899
British Library, Colindale: 6 Jan 1898 - 28 Dec 1899

MINEHEAD

1882 MINEHEAD AND WEST SOMERSET ADVERTISER
20 Jun 1882 - 20 Sep 1916, 8 Jul 1919 - 23 Sep 1930 "during the summer months"
British Library, Colindale: 5 Jul 1887 - 20 Sep 1916, 8 Jul 1919 - 23 Sep 1930

1896 MINEHEAD MERCURY
1896 - 28 Dec 1899
British Library, Colindale: 6 Jan 1898 - 28 Dec 1899

SHEPTON MALLET

1857 SHEPTON MALLET JOURNAL
13 Apr 1857 (?) to date
British Library, Colindale: no. 58, 16 Apr 1858 to date
Street PL: MIC: 1982 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 16 Apr 1858 to date
Wells PL: MIC: 16 Apr 1858 to date
Master negative: 16 Apr 1858 - 1981 BLNL, 1982 to date Somerset RO

TAUNTON

1808 TAUNTON COURIER
22 Sep 1808 - 1 Jul 1936
British Library, Colindale: 4 Jan 1810 - 1832, 1834-1889, 1891-1895, 1898-1911, 1913 - 1 Jul 1936
Somerset RO: 1808-1936
Taunton PL: MIC: 4 Jan 1810 - 1832, 1834-1889, 1891-1895, 1898-1911, 1913 - 1 Jul 1936
Master negative: 4 Jan 1810 - 1832, 1834-1889, 1891-1895, 1898-1911, 1913 - 1 Jul 1936 BLNL

1836 SOMERSET COUNTY GAZETTE
31 Dec 1836 to date
British Library, Colindale: 31 Dec 1836 - 1877, 1879-1882, 1884-1887, 1890-1895, 1899-1909, 1912 to date
Somerset RO: 1854-1857, 1863-1951, 1967-1968
Taunton PL: MIC: 31 Dec 1836 to date
Master negative: 31 Dec 1836 - 1877, 1879-1882, 1884-1887, 1890-1895, 1899-1909, 1912-1950 Newsplan2000, 1967 BLNL, 1878,
1883, 1888-1889, 1896-1898, 1910-1911, 1951-1966, 1968 to date
Somerset RO

1843 SOMERSET COUNTY HERALD
17 Jan 1843 - Jun 1964
British Library, Colindale: 17 Jan 1843 - Jun 1864 (some 1869 issues missing)
Somerset RO: 1844-1849, 1851 - Jun 1964
Taunton PL: MIC: 17 Jan 1843 - Jun 1964
Master negative: 17 Jan 1843 - 1946, 1956 - Jun 1964 BLNL, 1945-1955 Somerset RO

1855 ILLUSTRATED WESTERN NEWS
18 Jun - 22 Oct 1855
British Library, Colindale: 18 Jun - 22 Oct 1855

1855 WESTERN NEWS
Jul 1855 - 10 May 1920
Incorporated in Taunton Mail (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale: 12 Sep 1855 - 10 May 1920
Somerset RO: 1893-1901
Taunton PL: MIC: 12 Sep 1855 - 10 May 1920
Master negative: 12 Sep 1855 - 10 May 1920 Newsplan2000

1857 TAUNTON GAZETTE AND FARMERS' JOURNAL
1 May 1857 - 7 Jan 1865
British Library, Colindale: 1 May 1857 - 7 Jan 1865

1860 TAUNTON CHRONICLE
1 Sep - 24 Nov 1860
Continued as Clarke's Taunton and Somerset Chronicle, 1 Dec 1860 - 31 May 1862
Continued as Somerset Chronicle, 7 Jun - 28 Jun 1862
British Library, Colindale: 1 Sep 1860 - 28 Jun 1862

1865 WEST SOMERSET CHRONICLE
21 - 29 Apr 1865
British Library, Colindale: 21 Jan - 20 Apr 1865

1866 WESTERN HERALD
12 Jan 1866 - 25 Oct 1867
Continued as Western Counties Herald, 1 Nov 1867 - 1 May 1868
British Library, Colindale: 12 Jan 1866 - 1 May 1868

1868 WEBB'S ADVERTISING NEWS
16 May 1868 - 10 Apr 1875
Continued as Taunton Sun, 17 Apr 1875 - 28 Oct 1876
British Library, Colindale: 16 May 1868 - 8 Jul 1869, 17 Apr 1875 - 28 Oct 1876

1882 DAILY SOMERSET COUNTY GAZETTE
5 Jun 1882 - 27 Sep 1884
British Library, Colindale: 5 Jun 1882 - 27 Sep 1884 (some issues missing)

1887 SOMERSET EXPRESS
5 Mar 1887 - 22 Aug 1896
Continued as Somerset County Express, 29 Aug 1896 - 10 Jun 1933
British Library, Colindale: 5 Mar 1887 - 1897, 1900 - 10 Jun 1933
Taunton PL: MIC: 5 Mar 1887 - 1897, 1900 - 10 Jun 1933
Master negative: 5 Mar 1887 - 1897, 1900 - 10 Jun 1933 Newsplan2000

1887 TAUNTON ECHO
9 Mar 1887 - 10 Jun 1933
British Library, Colindale: 9 Mar 1887 - 10 Jun 1933

1889 WESTERN FARMER AND GARDENER'S CHRONICLE
28 Oct 1889 - 29 Feb 1892
British Library, Colindale: 28 Oct 1889 - 29 Feb 1892 (some issues missing)

1894 TAUNTON MAIL
18 Apr 1894 - 9 May 1923
British Library, Colindale: 18 Apr 1894 - 1895, 1898-1911, 1913 - 9 May 1923
Somerset RO: 1894-1901
Taunton PL: MIC: 18 Apr 1894 - 1895, 1898-1911, 1913 - 9 May 1923
Master negative: 18 Apr 1894 - 1895, 1898-1911, 1913 - 9 May
1923 Newsplan2000

WELLINGTON

1860 CORNER'S WELLINGTON WEEKLY NEWS
15 Nov 1860 - 10 Jun 1880
Continued as Wellington Weekly News, 17 Jun 1880 to date
British Library, Colindale: 15 Jul 1869 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 1861-1952, 1969 to date
Master negative: 1861-1952, 1969 to date retained (or not?) by publisher

1860 WELLINGTON TIMES
15 Nov 1860 - 1872
Incorporated in Corner's Wellington Weekly News (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale: 15 Jul 1869 - 28 Dec 1871 (7 Oct, 11 Nov 1869 missing)

1887 WELLINGTON EXPRESS
10 Mar 1887 - 28 Jun 1922
British Library, Colindale: 10 Mar 1887 - 28 Jun 1887 (some issues missing)

WELLS

1851 WELLS JOURNAL
2 Aug 1851 to date
British Library, Colindale, 2 Aug 1851 to date (Oct-Dec 1869 and Jul-Dec 1872 missing)
Street PL: MIC: 1982 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 2 Aug 1851 to date (missing as above)
Wells PL: MIC: 2 Aug 1851 to date (missing as above)
Master megative: 2 Aug 1851 - 1981 (missing as above) BLNL,1982 to date Somerset RO

1859 WELLS GUARDIAN
30 Apr 1859 - 10 Nov 1860
British Library, Colindale: 30 Apr 1859 - 10 Nov 1860

WILLITON

1860 WEST SOMERSET FREE PRESS
27 Jul 1860 to date
British Library, Colindale: 27 Jul 1860 to date
Taunton PL: MIC: 27 Jul 1860 to date
Master negative: 27 Jul 1860 to date BLNL

WIVELISCOMBE

1896 WIVELISCOMBE EXPRESS
1896 - 28 Jun 1928
British Library, Colindale: Jan 1898 - 28 Dec 1899, 8 Jan 1919 - 28 Jun 1922

YEOVIL

1736/7 SHERBORNE MERCURY
21 Feb 1736/7 - 23 Jan 1748/9
Continued as: Western Flying Post; or, Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury, 30 Jan 1748/9 - 18 Jun 1867
Incorporated in Western Gazette (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale: some earlier copies, and 8 Jul 1851 - 18 Jun 1867
Somerset RO: 22 Feb 1737 - 1846, 1849-1862, 1865-1867
Taunton PL: MIC: 1737-1867 (Jan-Jun 1851 & other issues missing)
Yeovil PL: MIC: 1737-1867 (Jan-Jun 1851 & other issues missing)
Master negative: 1737-1867 (Jan-Jun 1851 & other issues missing) Somerset RO

1847 YEOVIL TIMES
21 Jan 1847 - 1 Jul 1851
British Library, Colindale: 21 Sep 1847 - 1 Jul 1851
Somerset RO: 1849-1851

1855 KINGDON'S SHERBORNE AND YEOVIL NEWS
7 Jul 1855 - 4 Oct 1862
British Library, Colindale: 2 Jan 1858 - 4 Oct 1862

1861 YEOVIL, SHERBORNE AND MARTOCK TELEGRAPH
9 May 1861 - 20 Jan 1865
British Library, Colindale: 9 may 1861 - 20 Jan 1865

1863 WESTERN GAZETTE
21 Feb 1863 to date
British Library, Colindale: 21 Feb 1863 to date
Somerset RO: 1863-1970
Taunton PL: MIC: 1863-1900, 1903-1905, 1911, 1972-1973, 1977 to date (all editions), 1901-1902, 1906-1910, 1912-1970, 1974- 1976 (Somerset editions)
Yeovil PL: MIC: 1863-1900, 1903-1905, 1911, 1972-1973, 1977 to date (all editions), 1901-1902, 1906-1910, 1912-1970, 1974-1976 (Somerset editions)
Master negative: 1911 (all editions), 1901-1902, 1906-1910, 1912-1970, 1974-1976 (Somerset editions) BLNL, 1863-1900 (all editions) Somerset RO, 1903-1905, 1977 to date (all editions) retained (or not?) by publisher

1884 WESTERN ADVERTISER
4 Sep 1884 - 26 Aug 1885
Continued as Yeovil and Chard Chronicle and Western
Advertiser, 2 Sep 1885 - 27 Apr 1892
Continued as Western Advertiser, 4 May 1892 - 12 May 1920
British Library, Colindale: 4 Sep 1884 - 12 May 1920
Somerset RO: 1893-1901

1886 WESTERN CHRONICLE
21 May 1886 - 29 Jan 1931
British Library, Colindale: 21 May 1886 - 29 Jan 1931

1899 YEOVIL LEADER
24 Jul 1899 - 5 May 1924
Incorporated in Western Chronicle (q.v.)
British Library, Colindale: 10 Oct 1904 - 5 May 1924

WILTSHIRE

CHIPPENHAM

1873. North Wilts Guardian (1873-1918). A local edition of the Bath Express and County Herald, this newspaper was nevertheless reported to contain a good deal of Chippenham news. The BLNL set only starts at 1897, and the only other known copies are held in the library of the offices of Wessex Newspapers, Bath; no details are available. A brief glance showed that there were some volumes of this title in an unsorted pile. The bibliography of Somerset newspapers, published in 1960, suggested that Wessex Newspapers might hold 1894-1918.

1962. Chippenham News (1962- ). Originally an edition of the Wiltshire Times, this title is now a newspaper in its own right. It is currently being satisfactorily microfilmed by Wessex Microfiling for Wiltshire Library and Museum Services, which report that they also hold the years 1964-1966 and 1970-1971 on microfilm. It is not clear why this microfilm is not complete and these earlier years of microfilm were not seen at the Wiltshire Library and Museum Services headquarters.

DEVIZES

1819. Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette (1819-1956). This title has been microfilmed complete by Wessex Microfiling for the Wiltshire Library and Museum Services. The film, made in 1980, was very good where checked, and as the BLNL set lacks 1819 - January 1821, 1873-1878, 1897 and 1913, it might consider purchasing positive microfilm from Wiltshire Library and Museum Services, which hold the negatives.

1858. Devizes Advertiser (1858-1933). The Devizes office of Wiltshire Newspapers gave the 19th-century files of this title to Devizes Public Library; the files are in very good condition, but very tightly bound, and it is recommended that microfilm be purchased from the BLNL rather than have these tightly bound volumes filmed. The title would require about 62 reels of microfilm.

1878. Wiltshire Times (1878-1880). This was the Devizes forerunner of the Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser. Complete sets are held by the BLNL and the Wiltshire County Record Office, but the latter set came from the offices of the Wiltshire Times and is very tightly bound. An eight-page weekly, it would probably require about three reels of microfilm.

Wiltshire Telegraph (1878-1942). Like the Devizes Advertiser, the 19th-century files, in very good condition, have been handed to the Devizes Public Library which now holds the only copy of the first two years. The BLNL should ask to borrow these volumes to microfilm them; they are in very good condition with open binding. About 36 reels would be required to film this title.

1878. Devizes News (1878- ). This small news-sheet started life as a single sheet and has now expanded to eight pages. It is not held in the BLNL, which might therefore ask to film the set held in Devizes Public Library if this is complete. The offices also hold a complete set, as does the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. It would as yet only require one to two reels of microfilm.

MARLBOROUGH

1771. Marlborough Journal (?1771-1774). An incomplete microfilm was made many years ago of the Marlborough College Library holding of this title by Oxford University Press for the Bodleian Library; Bristol Central Library holds some of the missing material which should be microfilmed if possible and spliced in to make a more complete microfilm. The location of the master negative of the original film is not yet known, but is possibly held by the Bodleian Library.

1859. Marlborough Times and Standard (1859- ). This title appears to have been filmed sporadically since 1963. The filming is by Wessex Microfiling and is not very good in the 1970s but improves greatly more recently. The years 1860-1879 have also been filmed by Wessex Microfiling for Wiltshire Library and Museum Services. The BLNL should use the Marlborough Public Library set for the years 1896-1898. The title has been one of the Bailey Newspaper Group ‘Standard’ series since 1966.

1964. Wiltshire Echo (1964-1966). Complete files of this title are held at Swindon Public Library, the BLNL and the Bailey Newspaper Group Cirencester office. A 32-page colour tabloid, it would need to be filmed in colour. It is very much the same as the Swindon Echo.

SALISBURY

1736. Salisbury (and Winchester) Journal (1736- ). Salisbury’s great ‘classic’, this newspaper circulated throughout the south-west well beyond the boundaries of Wiltshire, film has been made from incomplete files held in the offices of the Salisbury Times and Journal, the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society, and the Salisbury Public Library. There are no files in this country before 1746, and from 1746 to 1761 the files are very incomplete. From the 1770s onwards there are many files still in existence.

1816. Simpson’s Salisbury Gazette (1816-1819). This title was the forerunner of the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette and is not held at the BLNL. The only surviving file is held by the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society in very good condition; the BLNL should ask to borrow to microfilm these volumes, for which about 1½ reels of microfilm would be required.

1833. Salisbury and Wiltshire Herald (1833-1852). The only complete file of this title is held by the BLNL, although the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society in Devizes hold three years of it. It would require about seven reels of microfilm.

1868. Salisbury Times (1868-1982). This title, now replaced by a free distribution newspaper, belonged to the Salisbury Journal company which was reported in 1975 as holding a complete file, but which in fact holds only from 1915. The files are in very good condition, but nobody knows what happened to the earlier files; this is regrettable since the BLNL file lacks 6« years for which there is now no hard copy. It would require about 112 reels to film the available years to 1972; Wiltshire Library and Museum Services have had the last 10 years of the file filmed.

Amesbury Journal

Fordingbridge Journal

Ringwood Journal

Ferndown Journal

Wimborne Journal

These are all editions of the Salisbury Journal, started in the 1960s. Apart from the most important, the Amesbury Journal, which is held complete in the BLNL, the only files appear to be those held in the offices of the Salisbury Journal, where they are held complete.

Wiltshire and Hants Times (1982- ). This free distribution newspaper replaced the Salisbury Times in 1982. The offices hold a complete set, as does the BLNL. Wiltshire Library and Museum Services are having the title microfilmed.

TROWBRIDGE

1854. Trowbridge Advertiser/Wiltshire Times (1854- ). Three files survive of this, Trowbridge’s main newspaper, but only the file in the offices of the Wiltshire Times has the first, monthly, issues. The files in both the Wiltshire Times offices and in the Wiltshire County Record Office are in very good condition, but are unfortunately tightly bound: it looks as if the Record Office set actually came from the newspaper offices in the first place, where there may have been a duplicate set. The years lacking from the BLNL file are available in both sets, but both tightly bound. If a microfilm were to be made, the BLNL should ask to get copies of the first issues which were small and could with care be photocopied (there is a photocopying machine in the rival newspaper office next door). The newspaper would require about 87 reels to film to 1955, two reels/year thereafter, i.e. about 150 reels to date.

1861. Trowbridge Chronicle/Wiltshire Chronicle (1861-1906). The Wiltshire Times offices’ set of this newspaper has recently been passed to the Wiltshire Record Office. This is the only copy outside the BLNL, whose set lacks 1897 only. An eight-page newspaper throughout, this title would require about 45 reels of microfilm.

1909. West Wilts Post/Wiltshire News (1909-1962). The BLNL file of this title lacks the years 1911 and 1912. Most of the 1911 is held in the Wiltshire County Record Office, although the issues for April (as West Wilts Post) are in poor condition. Issues for the year 1912 have not been found. The paper has been a 16-page weekly throughout its life and may need to be filmed at one page/frame, requiring thus over 100 reels to film; it would be a matter of judgement whether some of the issues could be filmed as tabloids, thus requiring less film.

WARMINSTER

1854. Warminster Miscellany (1854-1863). A monthly magazine, this was nevertheless Warminster’s first newspaper, and carried local news and advertisements. A file, lacking the first year and 11 other issues, is held in the Dewey Museum, Warminster, and should be microfilmed soon as it is the only surviving copy, and is in places deteriorating. It would probably only require one reel of microfilm, but some pages would need careful preparation.

1857. Warminster Herald (1857-1893). An incomplete file of this title is held in the Dewey Museum, Warminster. Mr Shorto, Works Manager of the Warminster Journal, suggested that the Journal might share the cost of microfilming this title, so that a file is available locally.

1881. Warminster Journal (1881- ). Warminster’s main newspaper, the years 1901-1914, 1972-1982, and possibly 1963-1969 (reported but not found) have already been filmed to an adequate standard by Wessex Microfiling for Wiltshire Library and Museum Services, although the original used, from Warminster Public Library, was poor at the beginnings of volumes. The BLNL estimate for the remaining years of this title was 82 reels to date.

SWINDON

1855. Swindon Advertiser and North Wilts Chronicle (1855-1956). This title has been filmed by the BLNL but the file has gaps; the missing months and years may be held in the offices of Wiltshire Newspapers, but it was not possible to check (see above). As the first three years of this title must have been filmed from the office’s set, it is possible that it has already been asked to lend them.

1861. North Wilts Herald (1861-1956). This title has been filmed by the BLNL; the film lacks 1896, which may be held in the offices of Wiltshire Newspapers.

1882. Evening North Wilts Herald (1882-1922). Only the BLNL hold a reasonable file of this title; never more than four pages, it would require about 120 reels to film.

1898. Evening Advertiser (1898- ). It was quite difficult to sort out what had been filmed of this title since the boxes were labelled ‘Advertiser’, the film from BLNL was labelled. ‘Swindon Advertiser’, but the newspapers actually on the film, were the Evening Advertiser for most of the years. The boxes for 1898-1899, 1911 and 1913-1925 however, contained the weekly Swindon Advertiser. It is therefore assumed that these years must be missing from the BLNL set.

1926. Swindon Citizen (October - December 1926). These 10 issues of a General Strike newspaper are held in Swindon Public Library only. They are very tightly bound, and could not be satisfactorily copied or microfilmed without disbinding.

1956. Wiltshire Gazette and Herald (1956- ). The successor to the Swindon Advertiser/Wiltshire Herald and Advertiser, this title has many editions, the Swindon edition is being filmed for Swindon Public Library by the BLNL; the Devizes edition, hard copy of which has been given by the offices to Devizes Public library for the years 1956-1963, has been microfilmed for these years, and also 1978 onwards, by Wessex Microfiling for Wiltshire Library and Museum Services, and is held in Devizes Library. The offices report that they have been having it filmed since 1982, but the librarian at Swindon thought that this was probably all editions and too expensive.

1962. Swindon Echo (1962-1966). There are three complete files of this title, at Swindon Public Library, the Bailey Newspaper Group Cirencester offices, and the BLNL. It is a 32-page colour tabloid; if microfilmed it should be filmed in colour - very expensive. It is very similar to the Wiltshire Echo (see Devizes), and is not yet a priority.

1966. Swindon Mercury (1966-1967). This short-lived 12-page tabloid is not held at the BLNL which might therefore ask to borrow it to microfilm. The set held in Swindon Public Library is bound and in good condition and would require less than one reel of microfilm.

1969. Wiltshire Star (1969- ). This free newspaper is currently being filmed for the offices. Wiltshire Library and Museum Services intend to film it also and should get in touch with the publishers before doing so to see whether some agreement can be reached to share the cost of microfilming.

1970. North Wilts Standard (1970- ). A local edition of the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard, a complete file of this title is held at the Bailey Newspaper Group Cirencester office.

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