Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 20

andrew turner mp Island Life - December 2010 Andrew Turner MP 24 The Mall, Carisbrooke Road, Newport IW, PO30 1BW [email protected] Tel: [phone] Five years on and as popular as ever It seems only a very short time ago that enjoying themselves at local events. (cover price £3.45 Island Life first appeared in Island shops Island Life has become a valued part by the way) are owned by a and outlets – but amazingly this edition of life on the Isle of Wight for many company who publish 54 magazines. marks its fifth anniversary. Some were people. Can they really reflect their local sceptical that a glossy magazine would By the time the third issue was communities? Certainly they have succeed here, especially one that published, I had agreed to write a people working all around the country, was free – some mainland ‘lifestyle’ regular column for the magazine – but the big decisions are made by magazines cost up to £3.00, or even something I enjoy and, as I have a shareholders of the umbrella company. more. However, I always suspected it completely free hand what to write But Island Life is privately owned – would be popular, and agreed to be about, I try to come up with something Martin and Tanya Potter set it up, own interviewed for a feature in the very topical (and not too political) which will it, run it and make all the decisions first edition. The quote selected for be of interest to readers. People often about the magazine and the direction it the front cover, ‘County Hall is ugly – talk to me about my articles, either will take. They know their advertisers pull it down’, may not have been the agreeing with me or telling me why I and their distributors. They read the most diplomatic thing I’ve ever said, but am wrong! I certainly don’t mind that letters suggesting how it could be judging from the reaction of people all – it is a way of staying in touch. improved and deal with any complaints over the Island, it certainly wasn’t the most unpopular! A great thing here on the Island is themselves. That keeps them in touch that all our local press and media are with what Islanders like and don’t independently owned, run by people like about Island Life. I congratulate Life go from strength to strength. who live here and care passionately them both, and their team, on their Despite being free, the quality has been about the Island community. Not considerable achievements so far and consistently high. I find interesting everyone realises that the majority of wish them and the magazine every articles in every edition that teach local newspapers, radio stations and success for the future. me a little bit more about the Island magazines are owned by large national and Islanders that I am privileged conglomerates. The Island is different to represent. I also enjoy the and long may that continue. For photographs of people out and about instance, Yorkshire Life and Devon Life It has been a pleasure to see Island 20 Visit our new website - www.visitislandlife.com