Sam Townend for Bristol North West

Members of The Rock lunch club, local councillor Judith Price and Labour's prospective MP for North Bristol, Sam Townend, came together to start the campaign to save this community newspaper.
 
As you know The Local is a free community paper delivered for free to over 3000 households in Lawrence Weston.  It features articles written by local people and groups for local people to read.  It is funded by a host of different sources, but one major one has been funding from a successful Big Lottery application which was made over five years ago.  The grant was for five years only and next month comes to an end.  That puts the paper in a difficult financial position.  The editorial committee is looking for other sources of funding, but needs the support of residents to help put its case across.
 
Sam Townend, says, "The Local is a really good local paper.  It keeps people informed about many of the things going on in Lawrence Weston.  This is especially important for people who cannot otherwise get out.  I wanted to launch a campaign to get Bristol City Council, the Police, the PCT and other authorities aware of what is happening and the possible threat to close the paper.  Let's save our Local."
 
Cllr Judith Price says, "I am arguing for the Council to support the Local where it can.  Sam, Cllr Bees and Cllr Cook and I are working together on campaigning to get other authorities to help out."