19 Jun 2026
Rev Peter Crumpler, associate minister of St Paul’s Church in Fleetville, talks to St Albans Times editor Matt Adams…
This month sees a celebration across the UK of the growing role of independent community publications such as the St Albans Times.
‘Indie News Week’ runs from June 15 to 21, and is marking the success of increasing numbers of new regional and local publications produced by professional journalists with a deep knowledge of their patch.
The St Albans Times was launched in February 2023 and has now been publishing for more than three years. I have been a keen supporter of the project since well before its launch, and believe it contributes massively to the local media scene.
As a Christian minister with a career in media and communications behind (and around) me, I wanted to ask St Albans Times editor Matt Adams how the project is going.
Has the time flown since the launch in February 2023, or has every edition been a struggle?
“I really can’t believe it’s been more than three years; it only seems like yesterday that I was plotting out the regular content for each week and some ideas for future articles, and then brainstorming what to actually call it. Some of the early ideas were very Roman-themed, until we decided on a name which reflects the legacy of journalism here in St Albans.
“I wouldn’t say it’s ever been a struggle, but there have been challenges along the way, especially in the early days when it needed to become sustainable financially.”
What makes you proud about the St Albans Times?
“I think it’s the fact that it has become everything I aspired for it to be – quality local journalism alongside contributions which truly do reflect the district’s diverse community, providing a platform for a mix of voices which otherwise might not have been heard.”
What’s been your biggest achievement since launch?
“Collaborating with The Maltings Shopping Centre on the resurrected St Albans Retailer of the Year Awards showed the massive potential of an event which celebrated our shops, restaurants, pubs, market stalls and local producers. Both awards nights have been truly joyous and I look forward to many more.”
And what’s been your biggest disappointment?
“Without banging the same old drum, I think I would have liked us to be in a much more comfortable position financially, to the point where we could have another full-time member of staff. If anyone would like to do their bit to support this vision – even if it’s just a few pounds a month – click on the GoCardless link on our website.”
Looking back, what would you have done differently?
“I would have tried to find our voice a bit earlier, by which I mean those initial issues were still too reminiscent of the way I used to write while at the Herts Advertiser [Matt was editor from 2009 to 2022] . It took a little bit of time to develop the Times’ style, which is much more obvious these days – a bit more questioning, not being afraid to add some humour and less formulaic.”
You are the title’s only staff member. How far does it simply reflect your perspectives and priorities?
“I might be the only person ‘employed’, but I am by no means the only contributor. My colleague Laura Bill proofs every edition from start to finish, and provides a moral and journalistic compass for my work, holding me to account when necessary and questioning anything she doesn’t agree with.
“There are also plenty of other people who provide articles and columns – yourself included Peter – which reflect different viewpoints and political opinions, and together that ensures the Times is not just a mouthpiece for Matt Adams’ weekly rants.”
Do you feel you now report adequately all sections of the local community?
“Can you ever adequately report on the rich diversity of district life? Arguably not. We’ve come a long way, but there is still work to be done. I would urge any sections of the local community – whether social, religious, political or whatever – to get in touch.”
What’s more important, the words or the photographs?
“It really does depend on the story. Some articles speak for themselves, and are illustrated with very generic pictures just to break up the text. Others use words to set the scene and provide background information, whereas the photos are the highlight – our extensive coverage of local events being a good example of this.”
As a relative newcomer, you have already got your own square on the St Albans Monopoly board! But do you feel the Times is as widely known as you’d like?
“Definitely not. Although I no longer prompt questioning looks when I walk into a room and introduce myself, I still believe there are many people who are unaware of us and what we do. I would urge everyone reading this article to try and spread the word to five people of their acquaintance. If everyone does that then our audience will skyrocket!”
You criticise other media outlets for producing ‘clickbait,’ yet you are active on several social media platforms. What’s the difference?
“We share articles on social media to raise awareness, not lure people in under false pretences with stories which aren’t relevant to our area or community.”
How has the local media scene – in St Albans and more broadly – changed in the past three years or so? Is it easier to publish the Times now?
“Declining ad revenues and increasing production costs have taken further tolls on mainstream publishers, who have responded by cutting staff and sharing content across a wider number of titles. This means their newspapers are often written by inexperienced (and cheap) trainee reporters who lack in-depth local knowledge and news sense, which in turn means they are less representative of their communities.
“However, the hunger for local news has never been more voracious, leading to the rise of independent publishers run by journalists who live and work in their communities, speak truth to power, celebrate local heroes and shine a light on the issues that matter.
“That’s happening across the UK, but also here in St Albans. Unlike the legacy media, community journalism is not just surviving, it is thriving.
“This is reflected in the requests for content to be shared in our pages and on our website, which are much higher than when we started as more and more people become aware of our work. It’s never going to be easier though, and if anything will only get harder as more individuals and organisations want to be featured in our pages.”
Would you welcome more support from local or national government for independent journalism, or would that risk compromising your independence?
“Absolutely. At the moment we are prohibited from publishing public notices – a huge revenue stream – by antiquated definitions of what a newspaper is. We receive no financial support from the district council and the Government, although Labour are in the process of reviewing how they support the entire regional media industry – including digital publications like ourselves.
“In the same way that we report on stories relating to our advertisers and sponsors, we would never compromise our independent stance for a few pounds in the bank. Our integrity is everything.”
How do you see the St Albans Times changing or developing in the future? Are you optimistic about its survival and future prospects? What’s its biggest challenge?
“I’m looking into achieving charitable status, not only to open up additional revenue streams which means we have greater financial stability, but also to put plans in motion for legacy succession.
“I won’t be here forever, and although I’m looking forward to many more years running the Times, I don’t want it to die with me so at some point will need to plan to hand over the reins of editorship to a younger successor.”
How do you see St Albans changing in that time?
“If the Labour Government has its way, there will be much less Green Belt land surrounding us, and thousands more people living here. I think St Albans has a timelessness which will be hard to erode, but beyond that I wouldn’t like to guess.”
If you had one wish for the future of the Times, what would it be?
“That it’s still here in some format in 50, 100, even 150 years’ time, continuing its remit of providing quality local journalism to the people living and working in St Albans and the surrounding area.”
