Back in 2012, Consett Magazine began as more than just a publishing project. And today, as we celebrate our 150th issue, there’s something I need to finally say — something I’ve kept to myself for a long time.
To everyone who’s supported this magazine — whether you’ve read it each month, shared a story, placed an advert, or simply picked up a copy from your favourite café —
There’s something I never told you.
Not because it didn’t matter – but because I thought the spotlight should stay on you – the community.
I believed that if I kept the origin quiet, the magazine could be about life, not loss. About voices, not silence.
But the truth is… at its heart, it’s always been about her.
Someone I loved dearly left this world in 2012.
It wasn’t sudden, like lightning — it was slower, quieter, and somehow more painful. There were signs. There were moments when things could have changed. But they didn’t — or not in time, or not in a way that helped.
Back then, I was just trying to keep things together. Young. Lost. Reaching out into the fog, hoping something would reach back. But sometimes, even when you’re shouting, the world stays silent.
And when everything fell apart, compassion didn’t always show up. In its place came noise — loud, careless, performative. A rush to respond without ever truly listening. No one paused to think about the people behind the pain. And that silence — the kind that comes after the headlines fade, after the questions stop — that silence changed me.
But here’s the unexpected part: that silence gave something else room to grow.
In the absence of care, I chose to create it. In the absence of truth, I committed to telling it — not the kind that wounds, but the kind that heals. The kind rooted in honesty, community, and hope.
That’s what Consett Magazine became. A quiet promise to do better. A space where stories are treated with care, not carelessness. A way to honour someone I loved — by creating something that listens, when others chose not to. Something built on empathy, not exploitation.
Maybe one day I’ll find the strength to tell the full story — to share her life the way it deserves to be remembered. Even now, more than a decade later, it still feels too raw. Like something caught between a dream and a nightmare. Unreal. Unfair. Unfinished.
That silence — that injustice — has stayed with me. It still lives in the pit of my stomach whenever I hear of another family going through something similar.
So I made a choice.
To make sure people are heard.
To create space for the stories that so often slip through the cracks — overlooked by systems, lost behind headlines, dismissed as too small to matter.
To spread good news — not to mask reality, but to remind us that hope still exists, even in the darkest corners.
To rebuild trust, one true story at a time.
That’s how Consett Magazine was born. Not just as a publication, but as a promise.
Out of pain, yes — but also with a deep belief that we could do something better.
Every story we’ve shared, every person we’ve featured, every small business we’ve supported — it’s all been part of that promise.
So, to all of you who’ve been on this journey with us — knowingly or not — thank you.
You’ve been part of something that means more than you could possibly imagine.
🧡 A Community Worth Celebrating
Since that first issue, we’ve published 150 free monthly editions, shared thousands of stories, and helped over 10,000 local people, businesses, and charities have their voices heard — not just in print, but in a way that brings neighbours together.
We’ve championed fundraisers, welcomed new shops, remembered community legends, and celebrated every little thing that makes Consett shine. We’ve had cups of tea with our readers, Liam our distributor loves meeting and saying hello to everyone on his round dropping off the latest issue, and hearing the words: “Thank you – I read it every month.”
That means everything.
🌍 A Growing Mission – Born in Consett
Today, we publish seven other positive news magazines across the UK – including titles in Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland, and beyond. But make no mistake: every bit of what we do started right here, shaped by the Consett community and everything it’s taught us about the power of stories.
We’re proudly 100% independently funded – not by government, but by local advertisers and the work of our parent company, Firefly New Media Ltd. Behind the scenes, we’re also running design, web, and marketing services to help keep this magazine in print.
If you’ve ever supported a local business, a client of ours, hired us, or recommended Firefly – we salute you. You’ve helped make this magazine possible.
♿️ Why Print Still Matters
In a world that’s moved almost entirely online — even public services — we’re choosing to stay in print.
We know many of our readers rely on this magazine. For some, it’s their only connection to local news, updates, and community life. To go digital-only would mean shutting out the very people we set out to serve. That’s not an option for us.
We’re here because we care — and we know you do too.
📣 What’s New in 2025 – For Supporters & Advertisers
As we look to the future, we’re making some updates.
From 2025, we’ll prioritise full-page story-led editorials and adverts — real features that blend into the magazine and share your story, not just your offer. Because readers connect with people, not promo codes.
You can still book quarter and half-page ads, of course — but we’re leaning into what our readers want: more storytelling, more value, and more meaning.
Interested? Get in touch and we’ll help you shape something powerful that feels right for you.
🙌 PS – From the Bottom of Our Hearts
To our readers: thank you.
To our advertisers: thank you.
To the Consett community: this is your platform to tell your story.
You’ve kept it alive. And we promise — we’re just getting started.
Here’s to the next 150 issues of real, positive, community-driven stories.
Warmest regards and cheers!
Barry Kirkham
and everyone who makes the Consett Magazine possible
