About Us

WE are a not-for-profit community co-operative which has been set up to provide a local news and information service to the people and communities of Port Talbot.
Our volunteers are professional journalists who put in a few hours a week to make it work.
The immediate focus is on developing an online hyperlocal news network for Port Talbot, giving local people the chance to contribute to the service and to learn skills in research, writing, photography and IT.

The story so far
The website was launched in autumn 2010 under the name Local News Port Talbot, and was rebranded in April 2011 as Port Talbot Magnet. The operation is run by Local News South Wales Ltd, a social enterprise.
Our Board comprises eight professional journalists, and the co-op has around 20 members. The eight board members are Mike Burrows, Simon Davies, Rachel Howells, Andy Pearson, Claire Pearson, Ken Smith, Mike Witchell and Ingrid Bousquet.

Port Talbot Magnet is ethically minded and politically neutral.

We carried out market research in 2010. You can read more about it here.

Board of Directors. Photo by Ingrid Bousquet

Get involved
Volunteer: You can help us by volunteering your time, or by sending us your photos or stories of Port Talbot.
Join the c0-operative: Sign up as a member for just £10 (see Contact Us section). We have regular AGMs  held in Port Talbot.

Sponsor us
Individuals: Donations help us to develop the website, follow up on stories and provide a more comprehensive news service.
Enterprises: Any help with premises, office furniture, office and media equipment or financial support would be welcome. There is also the option of sponsoring a sports or performance section.

Advertise
Contact us to discuss our flexible and affordable online advertising rates.

Get in touch
If you know of a story you think we should cover and for anything else, please
email us at porttalbotmagnet [at] googlemail.com or leave a comment below.

Passion
We were a community partner of The Passion. Click here to read more.

Thanks
A number of supportive individuals and organisations have helped us to get the service up and running. We thank them all. They include social regeneration body NSA, the Wales Co-operative Centre, National Theatre Wales, local councillors, XS Radio, local headteachers, MPs and AMs. We would also like to thank Neil Beer, Ingrid Bousquet, Philip Dewey, James Snaith, Paul Starling, Jeremy Veale, Mike Dunkin, Donglin Xu, Jenny Sims, Ros Bromwich and Helen Johns for volunteering their time and skills to help us cover The Passion.

Photographers
Port Talbot MagNet fully credits all contributions and copyright of all contributors. If you have not been properly credited for any reason, please contact us and we will rectify any mistake.