At Random with Martin Laing - 20.3.25
Amazing achievement
I still remember the celebrations some 45 years ago when the circulation of the Stirling Observer newspaper, where I worked, topped 20,000 a week. The editor, Hugh McKinlay, took all the staff to the pub for drinks.
I was just a young reporter back then, but recall clearly the significance of that achieverment.
To give it stark perspective, the Stirling Observer today sells around 1,900 per week. That kind of decline is typical of the weekly paper sector, albeit there is an online presence that did not exist back then.
So it was against that backdrop that my jaw dropped when I read that three of The Oban Times’ sister titles have increased sales while the OT itself has maintained its circulation with no decrease.
That kind of success is virtually unheard of these days.
I tip my tile with huge respect to group editor Susan Windram and the whole team for this frankly astonishing success. Very well done.
Reasons to be cheerful
It happens every year, of course – the changing of the seasons – yet I always marvel at how the early spring brings such a sense of uplift and joy.
Just as we are beginning to weary of the depredations brought by winter – the shortage of daylight as well as the cold and seemingly relentless precipitation – along come lighter days, warmer temperatures, golden hosts of daffodils, colourful crocuses, and all kinds of other buds and blooms.
It all brings – for me at least – a huge surge of positivity and excitement. The past few days have been just like that. Yes, there has been a touch of frost first thing in the morning but it has also been gloriously bright, dry and crisp. I’ve been out toiling in the garden and wee shoots are showing already.
I am evidently not alone; loads of you out there are walking around with smiles on your faces instead of grimaces. There is a buzz about the place again and I love it.
What do you think? Send your comments to editor@obantimes.co.uk
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