The Launch of North East Life
Around 70 guests attended the launch of North East Life at Headlam Hall, County Durham. Over champagne and canapés guests heard a rousing speech from Sir John Hall and more news on the magazine from Liz Page regional MD of publishers Archant Life; Johnny Hustler, group MD, and Anne Graham, the editor.
A second launch event was held at Jesmond Dene House, Newcastle, with guest of honour Sir Bobby Robson and guest speaker Margaret Fay, chief executive of One North East, the regional development agency.
Please take a look at the videos of the North east Life Launch and Guest Speakers at Headlam Hall
Introduction Video to North East Life
Archant Life Johnny Hustler Presents
The Editor
Guest Speaker - Sir John Hall
Grand Finale
Comments from the Editor about the Magazine
THE NORTH EAST where I worked as a junior reporter in the mid-1980s was another world. The region was in the grip of the miners’ strike: the colliery in the County Durham village where I grew up had already closed in the 1970s and the rest were to follow. Other traditional industries such as shipbuilding were also dying on their feet. Pessimism hung heavy in the air. But the region’s capacity for reinvention, driven by the passion and resourcefulness of its people, has transformed the landscape – both physically and temperamentally. Look at the Quayside in Newcastle and Gateshead – a Mecca for culture lovers and party animals alike. Marvel at the ongoing regeneration of Middlesbrough with its innovative developments such as the cutting-edge modern art gallery, mima.
Take heart at the sympathetic new building work in Durham which is expanding the city’s leisure horizons. See how Sunderland is celebrating the revival of business with its ‘Proud of Sunderland’ campaign. But these advances are just the material signs of a new mentality of optimism and confidence which will keep our region on the up-and-up. And, thankfully, some things don’t change: the spectacular scenery of our 90- mile stretch of coastline, the untamed wildness of the Northumberland moors, the gentler beauty of the dales of County Durham – and the warmth and friendliness of the people (by no means the least of our attributes).
In North East Life we aim to bring you a taste of the best of the region – from food and fashion to people, places, property and more. There is also a comprehensive monthly ‘what’s on’ guide. We’d like to hear not only what you think of your new magazine but also about anything you’d like to see us cover.We won’t be afraid to tackle issues that matter to you or affect your lives such as post office closures, food miles, wind farms or the opening hours of GPs’ surgeries.Whatever you are passionate about we care about too. Just drop me a line at anne.graham@archant.co.uk or NEL, PO Box 164, Hexham. NE46 9AG. I look forward to hearing from you.