Globe marks tenth anniversary since first publication
THE GOSPORT & FAREHAM GLOBE is celebrating today as it marks the tenth anniversary since our free community newspaper was first released to the public on January 23, 2015.
Work first began in September 2014 with co-founders Robin Young and Tog Porter laying the foundations for its success from launch. Initially it began focusing on Gosport related stories and features in a downloadable website PDF format, before expanding to cover developments in Fareham from the summer of 2019.
A transformation was started in late 2020 as our website was modernised to improve accessibility for users and indeed our editors. It allowed us to publish stories from May 2021 as they broke and this improved our core base of readers across the area; as well as opening up more avenues for advertising and development in the future.
Over the last decade we have covered thousands of stories across the region; including the ongoing investigation into deaths at Gosport War Memorial Hospital, the opening of Fareham Live and the campaign to save HMS Sultan from closure. Key anniversaries such as D-Day, VE Day and the Falklands War have also been marked with remembrance services / events; with many attended by members of the team.
The team has always prided itself on delivering national stories with a focus on local residents; which was seen across four general elections, one referendum and Royal events. Our newspaper has further received praise for its coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic, the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the coronation of King Charles III.
A big thank you must further be extended to our regular contributors for helping the Globe to continue; most of which are volunteers and do their brilliant efforts for the newspaper alongside full time jobs. Our team have also supported many of these contributors to progress in the difficult world of journalism and allowed them to build up portfolios of their work; whether it be for student placements or employment opportunities
Co-founder Robin reflected on the anniversary: “The best news of all after the first edition on January 23, 2015, is that the Globe is still alive and well as a digital community newspaper. There have been too many people involved in the Gosport-based project over the past decade to list them all here. Some are enjoying a well-earned retirement (or, like myself, aiming to), while others have moved on to other things.”
“The editorial aim had always been to provide readers with everything they should expect to find in a traditional, paid-for regional paper. With its coverage of news, sport, features and sport, the Globe largely succeeded in achieving that goal.
“There has been some outstanding reporting on a wide range of issues, from revealing the plight of women struggling to cope with the effects of wire-mesh implants to campaigns aimed at protecting the environment.”
“Arguably the most valuable journalistic triumph was the in-depth Covid 19 series throughout the epidemic by former Chief Correspondent Rob Thomas. His factual and helpful updates on the progress of the pandemic and how to cope with it proved invaluable for so many of us.
“On the lighter side, Peter Maguire’s regular forays down Memory Lane, both in words and pictures, underlined the fact that there is nothing like nostalgia!”
He continued: “But I would single out one man, my co-founder Tog Porter, who died last year of cancer and without whom the Globe would never have got off the ground. And my special thanks to Editor and Managing Director Connor Steel, supported by Trigo neo Starden, who is looking to take the newspaper forward and attract new readers at home and abroad. Here’s to the next 10 years!”
“An unmeasurable debt of gratitude must also be given to our readers, who have supported us since the get-go through donations and even as simply as sharing articles / stories with others. We may not have got everything right over the last decade; but the love, feedback and gratitude for our efforts have been invaluable. “
The newspaper is hoping to celebrate our anniversary in different ways throughout 2025 and the team would love to hear ideas on how we can get readers involved. Please email the team on editorial@gosportglobe.uk or contact us individually through our information on this website.
PICTURED BY ALAMY (2BB6MWE): The Globe is celebrating ten years since its launch on January 23, 2015, following months of efforts behind the scenes.