But Archant Norfolk’s Eastern Daily Press is laying claim to one of the quickest wins yet, after its front page clarion call took just 12 hours to come off.
On the day of a make-or-break meeting to find volunteers to save Sheringham Carnival from the axe after more than 50 years, the regional daily produced a special North Norfolk edition with a splash under the banner “Don’t let our carnival die”.
Accompanied by background on pages two and three, photos from previous carnivals and a leader article, the EDP challenged residents of the coastal community to get behind the event, which attracts more than 30,000 people to the town for one week every August.
Twelve hours after the edition hit the news-stands, more than 50 people turned out for the meeting – and a host of volunteers put themselves forward for key roles and places on the committee.
The carnival was saved at the 11th hour – drawing praise from carnival chairman Stuart McClean, who thanked the EDP for getting behind the key community event and helping to save it from oblivion.
EDP editor Nigel Pickover said: “The idea came from Steve Downes, from our Cromer office, who lives and breathes the North Norfolk coast and its communities. Our newspaper prides itself on being at the heart of the communities that it serves. And town carnivals are among the events that are the lifeblood of those communities.
“We are delighted to have played a part in ensuring that the people of Sheringham will be able to continue to enjoy their carnival for the foreseeable future. And we look forward, as ever, to giving it the comprehensive coverage in our daily and weekly print and online titles that it deserves.”
