Dear Readers,
The Bradley Stoke Examiner has been one of the projects I’ve been most proud to work on. Since the website began in 2006 we’ve broken more news stories than I can remember, been nominated for awards and – hopefully – helped to promote the town.
I’ve, personally, met some extremely friendly people and have been made very welcome by both the community and the people that give their time up to run it.
Tens of thousands of people have come here to get the latest news about Bradley Stoke that other media felt was too local to publish – something that is not the case any more.
But, recently I’ve found it more and more difficult to find the time to give this website the love and attention it deserves.
Juggling a full time job, family life and the Examiner was never easy but now it’s proving much more difficult so I’ve made a difficult decision.
The Bradley Stoke Examiner will be closing down indefinitely.
I know this will come as disappointing news to the many loyal readers we have – many of whom have contributed over the years – but I hope that you will all understand.
The Examiner might make a comeback in the future: who knows? We’ll keep the domain going for now and, maybe if time allows, we’ll make a comeback. But, no promises!
I’d like to thank a long cast of people – but mostly Marie for putting up with all those many hours I spent reading council agendas, going to meetings and not being at home to make her cups of tea!
Other people who deserve thanks include the previous mayors: Julian, Rob and Mark, all of whom gave support and help which was always appreciated. I would also like to thank the rest of the councillors, too many to name, who were always keen to give us stories.
Thanks to Lesley at the council who provided much valuable help – especially when we first started.
And, also, thanks to Ira and Sidelane for hosting our website. If you need any web work done, he’s your man.
And – thank you to you, our readers. All those who wrote messages, contributed and got involved. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Maybe see you again soon!
Chris
23 responses so far ↓
1 Matt Morris // Oct 30, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Chris,
I’d like to put on record my thanks for all your efforts over the years – this has been an awesome site I continue to have it in my favourites.
I can understand your reasons for having to call it a day and I wish you well.
Cheers,
Matt
2 Mark // Oct 31, 2009 at 9:12 am
Chris,
Many thanks from all at BSTC, both past and present for the fantastic way you have promoted the town and the council activities. You will be sourly missed and the internet will be a lesser place with your going.
All the best in your future endeavors
Best Regards
Mark and all at BSTC
3 Steve // Oct 31, 2009 at 9:27 am
Chris,
Sad to hear it as this is one of the few sites I read regularly. I’ll miss it!
Totally understand your reasoning though and I wish you and your family all the best for the future.
Best regards,
Steve
4 Jon // Oct 31, 2009 at 10:51 am
Hi Chris,
Sorry to hear that you are closing down the Examiner; it has been a great source of local info and some good discussions on the forums.
It will be missed, but i completely understand why your’e doing it. All of us have to prioritse in our lives.
All the best to you and your family.
Best regards
Jon
5 Mike // Oct 31, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Chris,
Real shame to hear about the examiner closing down, to me its been the very best source of local news. I often check the website several times a week, something I will really miss.
Take care and good luck with the future…
Best wishes,
Mike
6 Kim // Oct 31, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Thanks for keeping it going for so long. Its one site I visit regularly for news, views and comments.
Will miss it.
7 Kim // Nov 1, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Before you go – can you just find out and post here who it was who was filming at the back of Baileys Court pub on Sunday. Lots of large lorries in the car park!!!
8 flurfy chicken // Nov 1, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Shame to see you go, will miss all the local info.
all the best.
9 beatty_2002 // Nov 1, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Thank you very much for all you have done on here Chris, its been fantastic, a fab way to catch up with the local gossip! Will really miss it
I wish you and your family all the best
Take care
10 Patchway Bloke // Nov 1, 2009 at 10:00 pm
Sorry to hear that the site is going to close. I’ve checked here at least two or three times a week. Can understand your reasoning though.
Thanks .
11 Simon // Nov 2, 2009 at 11:21 am
Was where I checked for local news regularly. Will be sad to see it go.
12 Jon W // Nov 2, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Chris
I would like to echo what all the other contributors are saying and hope that sometime in the future you may be tempted back, even if it’s as guest reporter on the Bradley Stoke Journal!! Thanks for all your support.
Jon
13 Bert // Nov 2, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Nooooooo…….50% of my daily Bradley Stoke news fix….gone! I haven’t even lived there for the last 2 years, but your site has kept me entertained when I should be working over the years.
So, thank you for all your invaluable efforts, and the claim for lost hours is in the post.
See eveyone over at the BSJ….
Bert
14 Paul // Nov 2, 2009 at 9:45 pm
You have done a great job in providing an excellent local service but it must be hard work and we understand why you feel it’s necessary to put Sadly Broke on hold.
Enjoy the rest and thanks Chris
15 CJ // Nov 2, 2009 at 9:57 pm
To Kim…
They’re filming ‘Skins’ a teenager TV programme. They use a house in the Bluebells as a set.
To Chris…
Will miss this site. farewell.
16 Graham // Nov 3, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Chris
Sorry to hear your closing the site but fully understand how much of your life it was eating up! I’m sure we’ll bump into one another at future events. Thanks for giving me a platform for my photos and getting my pictures published in some unusual locations! Still can’t wait to see the Christmas card!!
Cheers
Graham
17 James // Nov 4, 2009 at 8:55 am
Chris,
Sorry to hear your closing site, but do understand about family comitments. This & forum have been great sources of news & info! Both will be missed. We all thank you for your efforts and wish you all the best!
18 Steve // Nov 4, 2009 at 9:54 am
I think all the other comments echo want I want to say…
This site has always been on my daily ‘must visit’ sites and it will be missed very much.
All the best Chris – thanks again!
19 Mike // Nov 12, 2009 at 5:57 pm
All the best for the future, I’ll miss reading up on ‘Real’ local news…
Thanks for everything!
Mike
20 Brian // Nov 14, 2009 at 1:54 am
Sorry to hear you had to shut up shop Chris. Thanks for all your time and effort over the years though – it’s been much appreciated. Where are we going to get our local gossip from now??
21 Jim Summerhayes // Dec 9, 2009 at 1:24 pm
You ought to try juggling 5 wifes!
This is a great shame, I feel I have so much more to contribute.
You can look back on your achievements over the past 4 or 5 years and say. I did something.
22 Bo Harris // Dec 9, 2009 at 1:29 pm
It’s a real shame that this site is going to cease to exist. It gave a real sense of community unlike the BEP site.
I would like to wish you and your family all the best in your future endeavours.
23 Karen Walsh // May 7, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Thank you Chris for supporting Bradley Stoke 10K , your coverage and photo’s.
Good Luck from Sole Sisters
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