Wrexham newspapers, 1848-1914

• Main Author: Peters, Lisa Jayne
• Published: Aberystwyth University 2002
• Subjects: 072.9
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.504470

This study aims to discover if any Wrexham newspaper could claim "regional" circulation between 1848 and 1914. Eight newspapers are studied, four monthlies: the Wrexham Recorder, the Wrexham Registrar, the Wrexham (Monthly) Advertiser, and the Wrexham Albion, and four weeklies: the Wrexham (Weekly) Advertiser, the Wrexham Telegraph, the Wrexham Guardian, and the Wrexham Free Press. Chapter one introduces the topic and briefly explains the methodologies used in the study. Chapter two reviews the literature available whilst chapter three offers a brief history of the English and Welsh provincial press. Chapter four defines what this study meant by a "regional" newspaper by analysing the opinions of local historians and geographers as to how a region can be defined. Chapter five offers a history of the Wrexham press from 1848 to 1914, focusing on the personalities, politics, and progress of each title. Chapter six discusses possible rival newspapers and how they may have affected the sales and circulation on the Wrexham press. Chapters seven to ten focus on four aspects of the Wrexham press - distribution, district news coverage, news content, and advertising. Each aspect was statistically analysed to ascertain the geographical circulation area of each newspaper, and changes over time. Chapter eleven draws the thesis together and comes to the general conclusion that no Wrexham newspaper achieved regional status although at least one title attempted to do so and may have been temporarily successful. By 1914, the growth of the north Wales provincial press meant that the circulation area of the two surviving Wrexham newspapers was based on the Wrexham locality. Appendices giving statistical data and information on those involved in the Wrexham press trade are included.