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The Arran Voice has been set up by a group of island residents with the aim of providing an entertaining, well-written newspaper that will act as a forum for democratic opinion. It will appear weekly, both as a printed publication and online, and while using new, efficient technology, it will respect the value of Arran's traditional outlook. It will carry a full range of up-to-the-minute news reporting and pictures and will provide free announcements of events. Above all, it will give full representation to the views of local people.
Arran is unique. All of us who live here or come here frequently know this. We share an unspoken love of the island’s beauty and tranquillity, and have scant patience with those who would impose inappropriate, mainland-based standards on people who have known for centuries how to live in this special place. We know the island has values that cannot be estimated simply in cash terms, and are prepared to fight hard to prevent the erosion of these values. We accept that tourism is an essential part of our economy, but resist insensitive development that will ruin the very qualities that attract visitors. We recognise that caring for each other is the way the place works. We are, in short, an intelligent, imaginative, independent-minded lot, capable of finding common-sense solutions to our own problems. We deserve a good newspaper.
The Arran Voice will enable the Arran outlook to be heard, both by islanders and the international world. It will welcome contributions of news, articles, pictures and letters from readers, all of which can be sent electronically or on paper. The easy-to-use advertising service offers simple formats, ready to fill in and send. Each issue will consist of 20 pages, on good quality paper, colour on the outer pages and centrefold, otherwise black and white. It is registered as a British newspaper and will cost 65p.
The Arran Voice comes with energy, determination, a lot of laughter and a dash of healthy disrespect. It will be a good read – and a good way to be heard.
It will be a built-in part of our policy that ethical trading should take its place as part of a strongly ethical and non-rapacious outlook. While it is absolutely necessary for the paper to function successfully in financial terms, we will not pitch it to the public as a profit-dominated enterprise. An open accounting policy will permit scrutiny of the enterprise, which will be run profitably in order to secure long-term stability of employment while ensuring continuity of service for the community the paper serves.