All Our Yesterdays – a monthly look at Harlow in years gone by – drawing upon the wonderful news archives of Harlow Museum, and beyond.

By Ian Beckett 

THIS month I decide to look, not at the museum archives of printed newspapers, but at the archives of Your Harlow which celebrated its twelfth birthday this year. I was just as fascinated clicking on their weblinks and I was leafing through the musty pages of the Harlow Star and the Gazette and Citizen. Twelve years isn’t that long ago and there were many items that I came across that seemed like only yesterday, but I was also surprised how quickly you can forget some of the things that previously made you sit up and take notice.

Welcome to YourHarlow.Com

The editor of Your Harlow, Michael Casey, published the first story at 5:29am on Monday 1^st July 2013. Apparently, he’d had a restless night!

The first line of the first story was “THANK YOU for looking in on yourharlow.com.” The article lays out Your Harlow’s background and mission.

Photo Welcome to YourHarlow.Com

The finance to kick start the Your Harlow project came on the back of winning a national award by the Carnegie Trust in their Neighbourhood News competition. In the bid for this award Your Harlow had identified a gap in the market for local news using filmed interviews and coverage of events.

Michael Casey and his team had a proven record, having launched a similar online newspaper in 2008 – Your Thurrock – providing news coverage of the Essex unitary authority area with borough status. When Your Thurrock began, they produced just four stories a day, slowly building up their contacts and on-line presence. That careful and considered approach paid dividends and became the bedrock on which Your Harlow would be built. In 2012, Your Thurrock gained over one million page views and had 4,800 followers on social media.

Mr Casey said, “We now publish 3,000 stories a year in Thurrock and aim to reach such heights in Harlow.”

Your Harlow was, and remains, based in Harlow and run by Harlow journalists. The vital news outlet aims to celebrate all that is good about Harlow but also question where necessary and then let the readers and viewers decide and importantly have their say. Your Harlow carries on the tradition of publishing “Letters to the Editor” but in addition to that, every story published has a comments section at the end, so that public views and opinions can be share instantly.

This first story concludes with the following: “Thanks. As we said, this will be a quiet start, we will build up and hope to be a paper you can be proud of.” Personally I feel that Your Harlow has more than delivered in its mission and ambition.

The numbers tell a story of their own

During those first 31 days back in July 2013, Your Harlow published 160 stories in the following categories:

General News: 59

Politics: 23

Crime: 18

Communities: 17

Sport: 12

Business: 10

Education: 8

Charity: 5

Lifestyle: 4

Health: 2

History: 2

These statistics provide us with a lot of interesting information. It shows that Your Harlow hit the ground running, simultaneously continuing to meet the expectations of the Thurrock community. It shows us the breadth and depth of editorial effort. It gives us a snap shot of the categories that were making the headlines, and it also gives us an insight into the relationships that Your Harlow had begun to develop with the community and the relationship that the community had put the effort into developing with Your Harlow. We often forget that it is a two-way street and when we do there are no winners. 

With politics being the second category beyond general news, it is no surprise that the first film that Your Harlow published was an interview with the Leader of Harlow Council’s Labour administration. 

“YH sat down with the leader of Harlow Council, Cllr Mark Wilkinson to discuss the challenges that face the town in 2013 and beyond.”

Photo Film: Challenging times ahead says Harlow Council leader

Cllr Wilkinson said that the challenges included:

• Like most local authorities balancing the books, especially in the face of a disproportionate 27% cut in funding from central government.
• Against that background, maintaining, developing, and delivering local services.
• The need for growth, in particular new Council Housing without adversely impacting upon the town’s green spaces.
• Maintaining a good working relationship with Essex County Council and getting them to address the pot holes (as it was, as it is now, and as it ever looks to be).
• The social and financial impact of the “Bedroom Tax” upon local residents.
• Empty shops in the north of the town centre and the need for regeneration (as it was, as it is now, and as it ever looks to be).
• The need for a new M11 link road.

It was not all bleak though. Cllr Wilkinson said:

• The local authority WAS planning to build new Council houses in Harlow.
• The Council had become a “Living Wage Employer” – leading the way and encouraging others to address the issue of low wages.
• The increasing number of small businesses and the development of Harlow’s Business Enterprise Zones, demonstrating confidence and potential.

Cllr Wilkinson concludes with a statement that I also could make with complete honesty. “I’m proud of Harlow. Like many people born in Harlow in the 1960’s I was not born in hospital but at home and I still live in the same neighbourhood”.

That filmed interview with the Leader of the Council was the first of almost thirty published by Your Harlow in July 2013.

The other films were:

1. An interview with Rob Davies: “Art and the Nuclear Family” about the multitude of artists being displayed as part of the “Scene 11” showing at the Westgate Gallery.
2. An interview with Adam Smith at The Square reflecting on the achievements of the music venue during their first five years .
3. A film of legend Sylvain Sylvain, New York Doll playing at The Square as part of fifth anniversary celebrations.
4. Dr Ahmed Shakoor’s return to Abbotsweld Primary School to open the new play equipment and garden dedicated to the memory of his family, tragically lost in a housefire.

Photo Dr Ahmed Shakoor’s return to Abbotsweld

5. A film of local band “The Crimson Ties” down at the Rock School tent.
6. A film of a fascinating array of motor vehicles on display at the Harlow Classic Car rally down at Harlow Rugby Club at Rams Gorse.
7. A film from the archives, made from the cine-work of Eric Alvin, called “The Harlow Year 1962 – 1966”. 
8. A film of the local community rallying in The Water Garden to support “Harlow 5 Aid”: a collective venture raising money for The Abbotsweld Memorial Fund, No Child Without, Harlow Foodbank, The Cardiomyopathy Association Mitchell Cole Trust, and The Variety Club of Great Britain
9. A film of a recurring nature at that time “Travellers illegally encamped on Second Avenue.”
10. An interview with Harlow’s youngest councillor, Cllr Emma Toal, who having journeyed through St Mark’s School and Sixth Form, sitting on Harlow Youth Council, being a back bencher on Harlow Council, had reached the heights of Portfolio Holder for Youth and Citizenship.
11. A film of singer-songwriter, Dean Austin, showing great dexterity on the acoustic guitar at Linkfest in the sun-kissed bandstand at Harlow Town Park.
12. A film of the 4th Harlow Business Exhibition at Harlow Leisurezone, officially opened by Robert Halfon MP and hailed “the biggest and best business event in the East of England”
13. A film of the Open Day at Harlow Fire Station
14. A film of “Whole Lotta Led”  – world class tribute to the music of Led Zeppelin – scheduled to perform at Harlow Playhouse on Thursday 25 July at 7.30pm.
15. An interview with Harlow Labour’s parliamentary candidate, Suzie Stride, campaigning to win the seat back from Robert Halfon in 2015.
16. A film of Robert Halfon MP asking the Leader of the House, Andrew Lansley if he had seen his Commons Motion on the unfortunate over-night closure of The Maypole, and asking for an urgent debate on small community clubs.
17. An interview with Hazel Sugarman from Harlow Rock School down at Rams Gorse.
18. A film, included in a Review of 1983 from the Harlow Gazette, of former Burnt Mill student Simon Skinner, was the bassist on Tom Robinson’s Top Twenty hit “War Baby”. 
19. “Committed to the people of Harlow” – an interview with Robert Halfon MP.
20. An interview with Harlow comedian, Claire Harrison, making the 400-mile journey to the Edinburgh Festival in August 2013.
21. An interview with Cllr Tony Hall about the issues that concern the residents of Church Langley as well as his role with the Conservative opposition group in Harlow Council.
22. A film of the Nick Turvey exhibition in the Gibberd Gallery and an interview with Corinna Dunlea about the gallery, the help the community have given and the hopes for the future.
23. A beautiful film contribution from young Harlow photographer, Robyn Bailey, who had chronicled the warm weather on Monday July 22nd.

Photo Portfolio: Heatwave in Harlow-July 2013

24. “Caring for the people of Bush Fair” and interview with  Cllr Ian Beckett. (I had no role in writing the headline! Enough said)
25. A film of the beautiful art of glassblowing at the Parndon Mill Open Day.
26. A film of the successful Harlow 5 Aid charity event at Barrows Farm which lay down great community roots in the town as young footballers, star footballers, charity teams and other charities rubbed shoulders on a wonderful day.
27. An interview with accomplished after-dinner speaker, toastmaster and Harlow Comedian, Gary Shaw, also heading off to the Edinburgh Festival, discussing his love for comedy.

The mere description of these films, almost one a day, provide an insight into the things that Michael Casey is passionate about, and that Your Harlow has become known for. First and foremost in its broadest terms – community. More specifically, music, and the arts in all its dimensions; the history of Harlow; politics and current affairs.

My opinion: I want to offer my opinion. I know that not everyone will agree and that’s okay. In my view Your Harlow has, and this was clear during their first month, always provided balanced, fair, political coverage. They have no favourites and take no prisoners. They recognise the importance of political discourse and through their comments section allow the community to “have their say” 

Encouraging the next generation of Journalists 

Your Harlow makes no secret that they want to encourage local journalists at every stage of their career. This includes speaking to young people in the town’s secondary schools and at Harlow College. Michael Casey has demonstrated an interest in encouraging anyone willing and able to write for and about the local community. He offers more than work-experience; he provides guided opportunities to students and wannabees alike to “get their feet wet” or “sink their teeth into” (or any other metaphor you might choose) the things that are important to the residents of Harlow.

A prime example was Jo O’Reilly. An NCTJ trained journalist, Jo graduated from the University of London with a 2:1 in Journalism and Media. Her dissertation focused on how women used social media to report the Arab Spring. 

In 2013, Jo was honing her editorial skills at the international publishing house Pearsons, copy-editing the content on their English Language TEFL platform. Your Harlow asked Jo, or gave Jo the opportunity, to write the following blog:

Blogpost: Five reasons to love Harlow

News / Tue 30th Jul 2013 at 07:11am

By Jo O’Reilly

As we come to the end of our first month at YourHarlow, we thought we stop for a minute and look at:

Five reasons to be grateful you live in Harlow.

Access to Nature

If you want to get away from it all, then a picnic in the Town Park followed by a stroll around Pets Corner is a good place to start. Designed by Dame Sylvia Crowe in the 50s, the hundred- and sixty-four-acre park is a great way to spend a summer afternoon.

If you really want to get up close and personal with nature then you should to head to the other side of town to check out Pardon Wood nature reserve, the winner of the Green Flag award the reserve is open year round and includes a 1.5km trail through ancient woodland. The reserve also has a conservation centre where visitors can learn about the woodland and some of the species living within it.

https://www.harlow.gov.uk/parks-and-culture/parks-and-green-spaces/parndon-wood-nature-reserve

We’re a sculpture town!

They’re everywhere in Harlow, so much so that many of us don’t even notice them anymore, no not roundabouts, sculptures. Many of the works are dotted around public places and like me you, probably walk past them every day on the way to work or when out shopping without ever stopping to really look. Despite this the collection is impressive including Rodin’s Eve and works by such well known artist as Elizabeth Frink and Henry Moore. Heading out of town, a new collection of work has been unveiled along the River Stort creating three-and-a-half-mile waterside sculpture trail, including an impressive glass and metal walkway with attractive views of the river.

https://sculpturetown.uk

Local Live Music

For over 30 years The Square has provided Harlow residents with access to live music, and a chance to see some of the best up and coming British bands before they hit the big time. Independently run since 2008 by a group of local musicians, The Square continues to provide top quality musical entertainments as well as comedy nights, open mic nights and a monthly quiz. Out in the open air, the bandstand in the town parks still play host the live music events in the summer with this year’s Linkfest, due to take place on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

A Seemingly endless network of cycle tracks.

With Chris Froome making it a second British win in a row at the Tour de France this year, it is not surprising that cycling has seen a resurgence in Britain. With many of us now choosing to give life on two wheels a go, but not yet confident enough to cycle on the roads, Harlow’s extensive cycle network is perfect. It’s a great way to get across town, putting less pressure on your wallet and the environment and an excellent way to get your heart pumping. A route map can be downloaded from the Cycle Harlow website, and for those who need a little more confidence getting back on the bike Cycle Harlow also run weekly led rides with experienced coaches.

https://www.harlow.gov.uk/streets-and-travel/travel/cycling

A thriving local art community

Sculpture isn’t all Harlow has to offer in the name of Art, the Gibberd Gallery at the civic centre is free for all to visit and the Gatehouse Arts project has regular shows in its Westgate exhibition space. Their exhibitions often feature the work of local artists, including open exhibitions where anyone can submit art. For budding actors, The Moot House Players host regular performances in The Stow and anyone can get involved both on and behind the stage. The Playhouse has a packed schedule of theatre, dance, and comedy events with regular open auditions as well as volunteering opportunities.

Home

Jo O’Reilly is now a Digital PR Specialist and freelance journalist living in North West England. Jo is considered among her peers “an accomplished digital marketing professional.”

And finally

I close this review of Your Harlow in their first month of operation, July 2013, with their final words from their first article:

“We cannot do it without you! So, if you have a story, please let us know: e-mail: [email protected] or Tel: 07757167689.”

It still amazes me the number of individuals and organisations from whom I receive email bulletins, or see adverts on social media, pleading for help or trying to drum up support for events, which don’t make better use of our online newspaper. It’s not difficult and it is worth the effort.

Next Month

For next month’s All Our Yesterdays we return to the museum archives and look at August 1993 through the pages of the Harlow Star.