Footsteps Society Magazine
Footsteps History
Shortly after the inaugural meeting of the Society in November 2002, John Burland, who had been appointed Press and Publicity Officer, embarked on the production of what was to become our flagship publication. However, in those early days it took the form of a simple Newsletter, produced by John himself and ‘Volume 1, Issue 1’ was sent to around 200 members in January 2003. This first issue was four pages of A4, contained 3 pictures and about 2,000 words. Items included notes about the inaugural meeting, a proposed ‘Spring Walk’, Animal Rescue Cumbria, Kendal Museum and a proposed lecture in autumn. This style of newsletter continued for another three issues.
In September 2003, one of our members, Andrew Stainthorpe, who was a professional designer, offered to redesign the Newsletter and thereafter was asked to become the Society’s Designer. The first issue under Andrew’s format, now entitled Footsteps, was sent out in March 2004. Items included notification of the first Society photographic competition, a Wainwright Exhibition at Kendal Museum and publication news from John Nicoll of Frances Lincoln publishers. The new format, with the striking Footsteps banner, was a great success. Between them, John and Andrew were soon producing an 8-page Newsletter.
As future issues grew in content and following six months of investigation and trials, it was decided to move to an A5 format, partly driven by the changes to postal rate costs for larger size envelope dispatches. It was also felt that there was enough material to allow the team to produce 32 pages in this format, with opportunities for a better magazine-style content. Thus was born the current style of Footsteps, The Wainwright Society Magazine.
David Johnson edited Footsteps for over 12 years and oversaw the compilation of 50 issues. Under David’s leadership, Footsteps developed into the professional publication it is today and, most importantly, one which many members tell us they greatly enjoy reading. After 12 years David took a step back from his full-on commitment to Footsteps and helped facilitate the transition to a new team. Sadly, around this time Jenny Dereham died and the Society lost her wise advice and expertise.
The Society was delighted that Nick Burton stepped forward to take on the role of Footsteps Editor from Summer 2023. Nick has an in-depth knowledge of AW and has published a number of books, notably Wainwright’s Way – describing the walk he devised from Blackburn to Buttermere. David is supporting Nick in the Editor’s role.
Current Magazine Production
The Footsteps team comprises Nick and Andrew (with David in an important advisory role). Nick’s job as Editor is to plan content, commission members to write articles, as well as write content himself, and edit the articles which are then forwarded to David Johnson. After this, Nick sends the completed items to Andrew for the design stage. Nick and Andrew are usually working on the next issue for around 8 weeks before its publication and Nick maintains a rolling programme of planning 2 or 3 issues ahead. He balances the difficult task of ensuring that each issue is full of interest and variety and endeavours to manage any disappointment if members’ contributions are delayed or not included.
A Year of Footsteps involves ……
- Four individual Magazines
- 128 full colour pages
- Around 50,000 words
- Use of some 150 photos, drawings and other images
- Some 50 individual articles and stories
- 6,000 printed and distributed copies
- In the region of 1,000 person-hours required to produce the magazines
This is included in the Membership Fee!
Thanks to:
- Everyone who has contributed articles, information, leads, news items, photographs and other support Advertisers and those who promote the magazine.
- Particular thanks to those who have allowed us to use their photos for the amazing front covers of the Magazine
- The Estate of Alfred Wainwright and the Publishers
- And, especially, to our skilled volunteers who continue to give their time to produce a publication of which we are proud – our Flagship, Footsteps.
Below there are links to a few of our Magazines.
Footsteps Binders. If you want to keep your copies of Footsteps in tip-top condition, why not invest in our Footsteps Binders, details of which are in our Shop.
