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Not sure the comparison stands up as far as readership then and more importantly, is there a fell running equivalent of a MAMIL?Quote:
Originally Posted by Graham Breeze
Anyway, I only read second hand CW passed on by a mate who has a subscription. 😁
Nice, like a breath of fresh air, however I think that the 'Fell Racer' section has been poorly executed. It seems that the demand to cater for people who have less interest in racing seems to have been to the detriment of the racing element. I'm not 100% happy with the regional grouping of results, especially when (as previously mentioned) The Trigger appeared in the 'East Midlands' section - not Pennines, Yorkshire, or even North East. I'd prefer everything in date format - to reflect the layout in the calendar / handbook.
However my biggest gripe is the currency of the magazine, there are no championships race reports, we have had 2 races already in the English Champs (Stretton and Howgills)and 2 for the British (I'll let you off Moelwyn!) but an initial report on how the Champs are shaping up was missed.
Winter 2018 edition states deadline of 18th March 2019 for contributions for next issue.
1st English Senior Championship race - 17th March.
1st English Junior Championship race - 30th March.
1st British Senior Championship race - 27th April.
Next deadline August 30th 2019.
So I've given it a bit if time and in the end I acknowledge that there has been an evolution in the print industry that is being massacred by online content. I don't know anything about it but I assume that Matt paper and increase in white space on the page is much more environmentally friendly. In which case it gets my vote. I'm sure the content will evolve to make the best of the structural change. It reminds me of the A5 format. So, naturally, I love it!!
The editorial team have clearly put a lot of effort into the new design, and there are bound to be a few glitches at first: a narrow picture in the centre of the two-page spread just doesn't work with this binding (page 14-15)! But in general I don't think the matt paper has had any bad effect on the quality of photo reproduction; maybe the perceived problems are due to some of the photos being taken in the dark (e.g. page 33) or the clag (page 24). And I knew that the Barkley Marathons were tough, but I hadn't realised that they could result in decapitation (page 16, top picture). :)
I was a bit concerned when I read the Contributor Guide on page 5: it seems a bit prescriptive [Sorry, Mr Chilton, we can't use that 1979 picture of Colin Donnelly, it's black and white]. I imagine the editor would actually be more flexible.
I agree with Will_B that race results should be in date order, rather than classified by region; it just makes it easier to find results for any particular race.
I've only been a member since Dec, so the 2nd one has just arrived here in Spain. My two pen'orth is it looks and smells great - but please put locations in the photo captions!
Yes, yes, yes! If you look back on this thread you will notice some wry comments from me on this subject; it's not something related to the new format.Quote:
Originally Posted by bob_summers
Roleur: I’ve never bought it, just looked in Sainsbury’s whilst little ones look at magazines they can’t have too.
For the price of the FRA membership, it's still fantastic value, so i'd never want to knock them or criticise.
But personally I preferred it as it was.
Haven't read it in full yet, but the content still appears to be great.
Not even the cover photo has a location. I know where it is, but that's not the point! But as Travs says, for the price of entry it is excellent otherwise. It was very refreshing after years of paying hundreds to the Spanish cycling federation for competition licences, club fees, and not even get an emailed newsletter. Compared with paying 16 quid for FRA dues, another fiver to the running club plus a tenner for the vest and sorted.Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
BTW I was in Rouleur a year or two back and I still didn't buy it!
I think so long as any criticism is constructive,the editor can take things on board as they see fit, and the forum is a reasonable alternative to 'Letters to the Editor'. As Anthony Kay points out, the editor could well be more flexible with black & white imaqes - especially if a cover similar to summer 2018 is offered up! If it doesn't accommodate some of the perceived missing items, it really doesn't matter, as others have pointed out it is the best value for money with minimal commercial advertising, totally managed by like minded runners.
Yes, the content is very good as usual, although I don't know if I can wait 4 months to read the rest of what Colin Donnelly and Ricky Lightfoot have to say.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
What I want to know is did CD know that Finlay Wild was planning a 3000's attempt when he was interviewed?Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
No, Colin Donnelly would have no idea about Finlay's plan to attack the 3000s time. The interview was conducted before Christmas - at the Buxton Adventure Festival.
Anthony - I like the new Fellrunner in most aspects. Two changes I would not have done myself, and would like to see changed are: regionalising the results (as a researcher I am always ploughing chronologically through results in FR); and the splitting articles into parts (I would prefer a smaller font, somewhat less white space and thus getting more content in). Incidentally: the design reminds me somewhat of that of 'Like the Wind' magazine, a sort of nouveau running mag.
I like it but there are a few things I'd constructively criticise (some have been mentioned already):
- Make the start of each article more obvious - the start of the interview with CD gets lost a bit - a big header for this would make it more obvious. Likewise a bigger header for a lot of the other articles would make it easier to navigate.
- A few pictures lost in the crease - teething issue I imagine.
- don't shun the B&W photos - Fellephant does some of the best photos around and they're mostly B&W! The new paper lends itself to B&W as well imo. Maybe some of the darker photos need 'lightening' a bit regards the new paper/printing - again likely just a teething issue
- mention where/when/who alongside pictures
- Revert the results section to chronological OR use the regions listed on the online FRA calendar.
Other than that grand job (and the kind of thing I expected Paul to put together!)
Rouleur . . . Like the Wind . . . All these magazines that I had never even heard of before they were mentioned on this thread. I must have been leading a very sheltered life. :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Steve Chilton
Anyway, my thoughts on the new format are very much in line with yours, Steve.
Well Anthony the coffee-table, glossy life style comes at a price and for Rouleur on subscription it is around £10 a copy.:)Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
WTF??!!
Heard an unusually loud 'plop' of heavy mail hitting the floor this morning and picked up what I thought was some free catalogue....turned it over to see it is the latest Fellrunner!!
I'm gonna need to build stronger shelves!;)
Good news, should turn up in Spain next week then
You'll need to take a saw to your letter box!;)
The smell on ripping open the plastic packaging. MMMMmmmm!
A mega book👍😊
Managed to get my name in the results section for the second issue running...! I’ll be dining out on that for a while... just need a picture in there now...!
Postie couldn't get it through the letterbox. It will take me until Christmas to get through this one. As usual, worth the membership fee alone.
How brilliant is the magazine?
I love the front cover photo and some wonderful photos throughout.
I like the one of Sharon laughing at Buttermere.
Lots of great content as usual (both writing and pictures), but our new editor still has something to learn about design. Text on p.27 made almost illegible by being superimposed on mottled background.
Particularly like the “fellracer” section and in-depth champs race reports...
I think there is an error in the Paddy Buckley record report - starting at Llanberis and taking nearly 5 hours to get toTryfan ain't getting you any records.🙂
Annnnnyyyyyybody know which issue of the magazine that Billy Burns interview is in? I've had a scroll through the ones that have been uploaded on here and it's not in any of them. If anyone has it could they scan it / take pictures of it for me?! It's ace and I'd love to read it again!
Against The Grain (Mr P)Quote:
Originally Posted by dod
Spring 2009 page 28. You must know someone with a copy.
Eh but isn't having an index great!:)
Still awaiting my copy of the FRM for this back-end. Any others still outstanding?
Hope it turns up soon Ian, had mine for two weeks....
Still waiting too, but then I do live rather far away. Hoping it will make it before Christmas.
issue 125 just landed today not had chance to look at it yet (Still trying to lift it;)
When will it be posted (Shrouded :rolleyes:) in environmentally sound packaging? just a thought
Somewhat surprised to arrive home tonight to find another edition of the magazine has already been pushed through the letterbox....
Didn’t think they did winter editions of the magazine...! Not that I’m complaining...
Well since you asked:Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
In 1987 The Fellrunner moved to thrice yearly. The dates initially moved around a bit but when Neil Denby took over his 29 issues were dated February, June and October. Dave Jones (18 issues) maintained this regime. Britta (21 issues) moved to Spring, Summer, Autumn and this was adopted by her successors until Dave McCabe retitled a late issue as Winter so it became Spring, Summer, Winter.
I advised Paul that his new format was issue #123 and he is the first Editor to also allocate an issue number. The previous copy #124 was designated Summer/Autumn because it was so late but to maintain the 30 + years thrice yearly regime the Exec. Comm was anxious that a third issue appeared in 2019, hence #125 Winter.
You may have also have noticed that the spines of Paul's new format include F E L eventually spelling out FELLRUNNER on your book shelf!
Incidentally the Summer 2011 cover shows it as Spring 2011 but the spine is correct in showing Summer 2011.
Enough already?:)
Almost (but not quite) as confusing as the Turin Shroud thread...!
I haven't finished reading the last issue yet!
That's a relief!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
And, by the way, there have been 4402 pages in the 30 issues from Spring 2010 to Winter 2019 - and only you and I know that. :)