History of the Raleigh Rag

The newsletter has been going now since 1991, informing, entertaining , publicising events and news and letting everyone know how to get involved in our welcoming community. We also publish a welcome pack and telephone directory for the village.

Over the  years many people have contributed occasional or regular pieces on topics that are informative,  amusing or just to letting  off steam! Dozens of “Farming Views” and many hand drawn original village images were a regular feature. Now we have lots of photos and colour pages !

The first issue came out in July 1991 with the working title ‘Your Combe Raleigh Newsletter’. A competition was held to choose a name and ‘Raleigh Rag’ suggested by Mr John Wise .The format has remained roughly the same ever since; a series of regular features (Parish Meeting news, Church news and times of services, Village Hall news and forthcoming events; a recipe; an editorial; articles on travel or gardening or our bellringers); and then whatever else comes to hand. The first ‘Editorial Committee’  was David Jackson, Jean Busby, Joan Davey, John Newman, Sara Priestly and Gill Steel. And the covers….. Many issues in the past bore delightful and varied pictures kindly provided by resident artists, including over 50 from David Sibbald. Now we have great photos provided by many talented village snappers.