ADVERTISING AND CONTENT POLICY

THE WITHAM STAPLE

ADVERTISING AND CONTENT POLICY   March 2026

 

Date: Adopted (Committee) and Signed (Chairman): Next Review:

March 2026 19 March 2026               …………………………………… 2028

 

General

The Witham Staple is a not for profit community magazine which publishes free advertising and information promoting local community organisations and their events. It also carries paid advertisements for local businesses.

Advertising funds the magazine and supports local businesses and services which benefit the community.  Approximately 25% of the magazine is dedicated to advertisements.

Priority is given to businesses which are located in the local area including Lincoln and Newark.  The Witham Staple reserves the right to refuse advertisements.  This decision rests with the committee.

The Witham Staple does not deliver any flyers for third parties.

The magazine is delivered to 7 villages and is also available on our website (www.withamstaple.com)

 

Community Content – Publications Policy for Contributions

The Witham Staple is always pleased to receive items for inclusion in the magazine or website, which are of general and local community interest.  The magazine does not have unlimited space, so as a rough guide, articles and reports shouldn’t exceed 300 words (preferably submitted in Word).   Space is less of a problem on the website.  If you need help or advice with your entry, please contact the Editor before submission.

Please include your name, address and telephone number to the Editor with your submission.  We don’t accept anonymous items.  Normally a name is attributed to articles, and a contact name/number for events.  The Editor reserves the right to reduce items, if necessary.

 

In order to work within an acceptable framework The Witham Staple Committee has agreed the following guidelines for articles:

• Articles should not attack another body or organisation. The Witham Staple is not a vehicle to bring grievances into the public domain.
• The name and address of authors must be given in full. In extreme cases only and at the discretion of the Editor, publication of the author’s name may be withheld.
• If an item is contentious the Editor retains the right to delay publication in order to seek advice from the Witham Staple Committee.
• The Editor’s decision is final.

 

Disclaimer 1

Opinions expressed in articles or submissions not authored by the Editor or The Witham Staple Committee do not necessarily express the opinions of the Editor or The Witham Staple Committee.

The above guidelines should help to ensure that The Witham Staple is able to publish articles and information that reflect the wide range of views and opinions held within our community through a sensitive and structured framework.

 

Business Adverts Content Policy

Approximately 25% of the magazine is dedicated to advertisements.  These adverts are on advertising pages spread throughout the magazine.  Currently, adverts can be quarter page (4 adverts per page) or one-sixth page (6 adverts per page) and charged accordingly.  Adverts are paid for 5 magazine editions in advance.  The first five editions are May to October the second five are from November to April.  Prices for advertisements are set annually.  In addition, space permitting, one-off adverts may be included.

The Witham Staple may decline to include an advertisement without explaining its decision.

We do not carry advertisements for national or regional businesses.

The Business Manager administers the adverts. Advertisers should format their own adverts, ready for publication, preferably in Word.

See Appendix 1 for  Guidance for Advertisers (p3)

 

Disclaimer 2 – reliability of advertisers:

Whereas care is taken to ascertain that advertisers in The Witham Staple and on the website are bona fide, readers are strongly advised to take their own precautions before entering into any agreement to obtain services or goods.  We are unable to verify quality of materials, goods or services provided by advertisers.

 

Policy on Publicity Flyers

The Witham Staple does not deliver any flyers for third parties.

 

Guidelines On Political Articles

TWS has a policy of neutrality in matters of party political content or comment, or campaigning organisations of a general political nature.

Sometimes this can be a difficult path to tread and these guidelines are intended to help.

We welcome contributions from Parish Councils, District Councils and County Councils and Councillors which give factual information to inform the community about local matters and how councils are managing these.

TWS can publish material which advertises Parish, District and County Council services and community events which are not of a party political character.

TWS can publish material which invites local people to participate in consultations and surveys.  Examples would include significant planning applications (not domestic properties) and consultations inviting views about the plans of councils.

However,

• TWS will not publish material which promotes any political party or political group.
• TWS will not publish material which carries political party emblems or party names.
• TWS will not publish material from candidates standing in any elections.
• TWS will not publish material which advertises or advocates political policies or political opinions.
• The Editor’s decision on publication is always final.

Appendix 1

Letter from Business Manager to Advertisers

The Witham Staple carries paid for advertisements for local businesses.  This funds the (not-for-profit) magazine, and provides a source of information for residents seeking local goods and services.  It also promotes local businesses.

Final judgements on what TWS will publish is subject to editorial decision, informed by consultation with the committee.

Priority for advertising space is given to businesses within The Witham Staple area but, space allowing, advertisements from outside the area will be carried. We do not carry advertisements for national or regional businesses.

The inclusion of an advertisement for a business in the magazine does not imply that The Witham Staple recommends that business.

The Witham Staple does not accept advertisements from political parties or from campaigning organisations.

The Witham Staple does not deliver any flyers for third parties.

The Witham Staple may decline to include an advertisement without explaining its decision.

The business advertisements are available on a monthly or 6 monthly basis (invoicing February & August each year for the regular advert).   The Business Manager deals with all advertisers and provides them with guidance. (see below)

 

Guidance provided for Advertisers
We have two sizes of adverts which should be submitted in Word; please call us to discuss other formats.  We are limited to the type of graphics we can reproduce; we will try our best to accommodate your request, but reserve the right to change as required.  We do not have half page or full page advert spaces.

1. i)  sixth of a page at a cost of £12 a month or £60 for a six month period (5 issues).  The size is 67mm x 67mm.
   ii) quarter landscape page at a cost of £13 monthly and £65 for a six month period. The size is 125mm x 50mm.

   It is really important your wording fits inside the box size. The cost includes your advert being displayed on the Witham Staple Website withamstaple.com

To discuss placing an advertisement in the Witham Staple please contact the Business Manager.

Should you wish to advertise please forward a copy of your advert together with a correspondence address for our back office records and state how many months you wish to advertise.

The next edition with advertising space will be in x 2026, therefore, we would need your copy to us by 15th x.

We invoice via email and only accept payment via bank transfer.

Kind Regards

Carole Marland

Advertising Business Manager