Villagers appeal for paper boys (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Villagers appeal for paper boys

A GROUP of villagers in Somerford Keynes are appealing for youngsters to come forward as paper boys.

Members of a group, called the Press Gang, currently take it in turns to do a three-day run of getting up at 6am, marking up the papers after the wholesaler has dropped them off at the village hall, and then delivering them to more than 70 addresses.

The average age of those involved is 65.

Retired RAF pilot and now chief gangster David Taylor said: "About five years ago the newsagent covering Somerford Keynes had occasional difficulties getting paper boys.

"A few of us agreed we could help out on an occasional basis. "As time went by she had more and more vacancies to cover and at that time the Press Gang was formed.

"Despite the good work and enjoyment we would prefer not to do this if only we could find some newspaper boys."

If the Press Gang had not evolved villagers may have lost the newspaper service entirely and be facing a drive to South Cerney, Ashton Keynes or into Cirencester to obtain a newspaper.

All members of the group are volunteers and most are retired men, who deliver papers three days a week every 12 weeks.

While the group is paid for its services the money goes directly to four chosen organisations.

These include Cirencester Hospital League of Friends, All Saints Church in Somerford Keynes, Action Medical Research and Save the Children.

Since the group started more than £1,600 has been raised.