The LOCAL NEWS for SOUTHSIDERS is 100 issues old and is proud to be a truly independent community newspaper. It was first published in Gorbals in June 1997 because there was no forum where issues affecting local people could be discussed and debated, aired or illuminated.

Very quickly, it was realised that the area could not generate enough advertising to sustain the unfunded publication. So the first expansion was into Govanhill, Tradeston and Kinning Park. The monthly paper is now distributed into all the communities between and beyond Gorbals, Govan, Pollok and Castlemilk.

If you can’t find one of the 300+ places to pick up your free copy, phone 0141 226 4898 or email us at localnews@btconnect.com and we’ll tell you. The need is even greater now than in 1997 for a place to highlight what is happening to communities and to celebrate what ordinary citizens are achieving.

A dedicated team led by Jo Anne Kessler, Lorne Brown and Grace Franklin has produced this newspaper every month.

We achieved our Investors in People in May 2005. Each and everyone who has contributed is thanked, sincerely, for their input.

Especial thanks must go to our valued advertisers – without them, the publication would not exist!

If you have a story to tell or want to advertise to our readership which will number more than 42,000 people for this issue, call today on 0141 226 4898 or email: localnews@btconnect.com.

Thank you for reading the LOCAL NEWS for SOUTHSIDERS and keep on picking up your free copy.