It is admittedly with an immense sense of achievement that I look at the front cover featuring some of the most recent images that have adorned Village Connect over the past ten years.  When the very first edition was launched in April 2005, a 36-page publication distributed to 2,000 homes in 16 villages, the main objective was, as it is now, to be a free, high-quality notice board for village charities to promote their fundraising events and to encourage us to support each other.  At the same time, Village Connect became a springboard to local businesses for advertising goods and services with a view to strengthen the economy within our community, as well as a welcome outlet for cultural and charitable organisations, often with severe budget restraints, to obtain free publicity to keep them going.

Over the past decade, the circulation of Village Connect has expanded to 19,500 homes in 71 villages, so nearly a ten-fold increase in as many years.  Your  continued support of the many magnificent, independent family businesses and cultural opportunities we have on our doorstep has never ceased to amaze me, and I remain grateful for the positive feedback you give and the delight you take in the usefulness and professional quality of the magazine.

The success of Village Connect is only possible due to a very special and valued relationship with customers, promoters, fundraisers and volunteers, who kindly get in touch and keep me posted on news and events coming up.  Many of you have become friends, and I feel privileged to be able to liaise with such wonderful people and use the ever-expanding network to help even more.  Add to that the magic of Andrea Billett on the graphics front, the efforts of printers, web designer and distributors, and you have a publication ready for you to make it all happen.

I am also truly humbled by the generosity of our advertisers in wanting to express congratulations on their adverts or extending celebratory offers.  Look to the pages ahead for discounts or special promotions unique to you and join in the tenth anniversary celebrations.  As the days grow visibly longer, the birds sing increasingly louder, and nature dresses herself up for spring, I shall look forward to the next decade of connecting villages.

Hillcrest House

Church Hill

Geddington

Northants

NN14 1AH

Tel: 01536 744700