Sadly Egremont Today but not tomorrow. I was away last week and have returned to find the latest volume is the last. It is truly sad and disappointing. It was a marvellous publication and a real beacon of what a political party can achieve when it places itself in the heart of the community. On a personal note I’d like to express my deepest gratitude for all of the support that has been shown to me and my work. I shall miss being interviewed in the future and seeing the considered and intelligent reviews that followed. On the other hand at least you will have more time to devote to your numerous other passions.
Something I take from writing into life is that the end of a story doesn’t invalidate what preceded it and the achievement of Egremont Today is there for all to see. It has documented the key recent history, from one extreme right wing government sadly to another, and given voice where it was needed. There is nothing as powerful as the opportunity of saying and Egremont Today allowed saying. It was always more than mouthpiece of the Party but a community voice. You should be rightly proud of an immense achievement, but like all achievement they are rarely won without enormous effort and I don’t think any of us can maintain that forever, not without paying too high a personal cost. You have more than deserved the right to time. It’s a shame that the succession didn’t work out, but that doesn’t take anything away from what was done in the past. Good luck with everything. All best,
Fred Lightfoot

Dear Egremont Today,
I moved here two years ago and though I am not a Labour supporter my monthly tape and magazine did more than anything to help me settle and feel part of my new surroundings, as I am nearly 82. I shall miss you so much. I loved the articles and pictures; the adverts were very useful; each month I did the crossword and tried to figure out Spot the Landmark - even got some right! Thank you do much! Your going will leave a huge gap. Goodbye and God bless!
Madge Campbell

I've just received the August issue of ET. I'm saddened to read your farewell.
As you say, your successor "gave us hope that we could go on an on". What happened?
I think I can say that I, for one, did understand the significance of what you were doing. One regret I have is that I didn't stand up to Jack when he wanted me to take issue with you over something you had written in an early issue, I forget the details. I don't recall that you took any notice.
As I've said more than once, Labour's success in Egremont over the years of ET has been due above all to the existence of ET.
Very best wishes to Connie and yourself. As Jamie says, Connie can now finally get her house back - and her husband too,
Michael Jenkins.
 

Dear Peter,
I have today read the final issue of "Egremont Today".
Whilst there is undoubted sadness at the passing at what has become an institution, I cannot but think that there is cause for celebration too. To speak of the "bitter taste of failure" is to berate yourselves unjustly. I think, "what failure?" You have produced ET for twenty years, "one amateur doing the job of a team of professionals" - a remarkable feat for which you should be immensely proud.
I am very grateful for the voice you have given the local community - particularly, in my case, to St. Bridget's. My husband, Mark, and I deeply appreciate the coverage you gave to Macca's "Three Peaks Challenge" and the donation made by ET to the British Heart Foundation at that time.
ET will be greatly missed, but that it is time to step back now is no failure. It is the triumph of the last twenty years that should be celebrated and for that we heartily congratulate you!
Best wishes,
Patricia Jacques

On behalf of Age Concern Norhtwest Cumbria at the de Lucy Centre we are very sad to hear the Egremont Today will no longer be. Your dedication to the newsletter has been tremendous. As an organisation working in the community, we often used Egremont Today to voice the concerns of older people and promote the support our organisation provides to the local community. It will be sadly missed.
Our Active for Life project which is funded be the Lottery requires us to provide a monthly social diary/information newsletter which will be distributed to the wider Copeland community. I am hoping to secure the help and support of volunteers to help produce and distribute this newsletter. If any who was involved in ET is able to provide any support or advice no matter how little would be very appreciative.
Clare Dobson

I was horrified today to read that it was the last issue of ET.Many thanks to you and all your team for all the years of sterling work to keep Egremont and district informed of whats happening around us.You will be greatly missed.
Janet Whiteway

So sorry to hear about ET. I want to thank you for all the support you have given me, not only as an artist but also in my role as Arts Coordinator for Egremont Regeneration. You have always been 100% behind the people of Egremont and surrounding areas and we all owe you a great debt of gratitude for all the hard work you have put in to help and inform everyone. I would also like to say thank you for all the money raised for the different charities. ET will be sadly missed. Thank you again Peter and many thanks also to the hard working committee members.
Best Regards
Karen Storr

Thank you very much for all the hard work that everyone put in to making such a 'grand laal paper', it was always welcome here in Eskdale and incredible to see Mr and Mrs Watson delivering it whatever the weather, thanks again,
Lucy Hutchinson, Smithy Brow Lane.

Peter,
A universal sense of disappointment has just descended over the household, noting the final edition of ET. Young / old, red or blue, the arrival of ET was greeted with eager anticipation, it will be a huge miss for the community, giving a voice to many and an opportunity for many to share their views . You should be very proud of your achievement over the years. Through personal vision and absolute determination, you have been the catalyst for great achievements within the community. The" driven man" has left a legacy , a legacy I feel sure will live long after the ink on the final edition of ET has faded.
Well done Peter.
Regards
The Farran family

Dear Editor
I have heard a rumour that the August issue of your excellent paper will sadly be the last.
If this is true, I can only guess that like many other worthy organisations these days, the active workers have grown older and too tired to continue because they are so few in number.
If this is the case with E.T., I appeal to others to form a young and energetic team of production and delivery volunteers to enable it to continue. It cannot continue to rest on the shoulders of 2 or 3 people.  “Egremont Today” is not just a Labour Party publication but a true Community Newspaper, highlighting all the talented people and events which make Egremont the vibrant community it is.
So come on, folks ------- don’t let this gem disappear from West Cumbria’s crown!
Pauline Harkness
Broughton

If only there were others as dedicated as you two! The world is a much better place with you both in it. Thank you is just a small word for what you have given the community.
Postlethwaites, St. Bees

What a terrible blow – no more Egremont Today – I can’t believe it. There’s no need to “have the bitter taste of failure”- ET has been a phenomenal success, largely due to you, and will long be remembered with affection. Thank you, and all the team and, of course, Connie, for your Herculean efforts over the past 20 years.
Of course for me the biggest miss with be the crossword – I looked forward to it every month and wish now that I’d made more effort to finish them all. I see that you’ve saved the hardest till last – I’m struggling with this one but determined to finish it! When I do send it in it will be a photocopy. As Jamie says, “keep this copy – it will be a collector’s item”.
Thank you all, and very best wishes to you and Connie for your “retirement” (I’ll believe that when I see it!)
Kindest regards
Joan Marlow
Eskdale

We are so sorry to see the last edition of Egremont Today. It has been a magnificent achievement.
Perhaps, in time, you will write the story. It’s such an important part of the life of this area.
Please accept our congratulations, condolences and very best wishes
Lois & Mike Fulker
Calderbridge

It was somewhat of a surprise to learn that your paper was closing down after 20 years – I think people believed that you’d go on forever, despite handing over some of your responsibilities last year.
Despite being of the opposite political persuasion I have found the gazette very interesting and informative in the 5 years that I’ve lived in Cleator Moor and have particularly enjoyed trying to follow your thought processes in the monthly crossword – clearly not always successfully!!
My wife and I will miss seeing you trudging up and down Montreal Avenue with an haversack on your back ( and using our front garden from time to time as a store).
We wish you all the best for the future and thank you for ally your efforts in the past.
Cheers
David Ball
Cleator Moor

It was with great regret that I delivered the final E.T. Many people expressed the sorrow of its demise. You and your team deserve the highest praise and congratulation for your Herculean effort over the years of its publication. It was a magnificent achievement!
Well done to all E.T. will be sadly missed.
Best wishes to you and Connie for the future
Richard and Maureen Carr
Woodbank

Just a note to say that we are so sorry that we have just received our final copy of Egremont Today.
It has given so much pleasure to my husband, me and so many of our friends, over the past years. So much information – explanation and encouragement – and the crosswords.
Thank you so much to you all for keeping it going for so long.
We hope you will enjoy your retirement.
Egremont Today will be sorely missed,
Yours sincerely
Maureen Camlin
Seascale