Goodbye, Editor

After nearly 9 years at the helm, Alison Morton is leaving the Pembury Village News after this issue as she and husband Steve are leaving Pembury and going to live in France.

Alison took over from Henry Plant at the end of 1999 and has masterminded the transformation of the News from a rather staid black and white publication into the full colour vibrant ‘glossy’ which is eagerly received by both Pembury residents and those further afield. She and also Steve started the PVN website (www.pembury.org) in 1998 as one of only 4 local authority websites in Kent at the time. It is now an invaluable resource not just for Pembury but reaching out across the world with contacts from Canada , South Africa and Australia .

Combining her business and organisational experience with her intellectual, computing and personal networking skills Alison has successfully produced a much admired magazine quarter after quarter. It is such a vital link for Pembury residents in keeping them informed and in reporting on local events.

She modestly says it is all down to teamwork and praises the Editorial Working group, Laurie Frowd of The Meeting House who sets the magazine, Heronswood Press who print it and the volunteers who distribute it. This is indeed a skilled and cheery support team which contributes significantly to the success of the News, but it is Alison who has led the team and has the final word with her red pen!

Working in the City, civil service, six years as a signals officer in the TA and setting up and running her own translation business as well as bringing up a son (with husband’s Steve’s help, of course), then going on to take a Master’s degree in history, I don’t know where she found the time! She was also a strong moving force behind the raft of Golden Jubilee events in the village in 2002, let alone the annual fete, fireworks and musical picnic and other special events such as BBC’s Any Questions.

We are now looking for a successor. The magazine may indeed change in its appearance, size and way it is produced as a result. The new Editor needs above all to have sound writing skills and to be able to organise a team made up of other volunteers. There is a strong and experienced support team in place which would be able to provide help and advice at all stages. If you would like to find out more, do contact me either by email at CWCO@aol.com or tel. 823402.

David Coleman

Chairman

Pembury Parish Council