THE hunt is on for newshounds to help launch a new community newspaper in Cowley.

The Cowley News has been two years in the planning and organisers hope to launch the first of two issues this year on May 16.

They are looking to recruit budding journalists to help fill the paper, with the help of a free five week training course.

Project co-ordinator Henrietta Gill said: “This is something we knew we really wanted to do but it has taken a while to get everything lined up.

“We want to give an identity to Cowley and act as a really good noticeboard for things that are going on in the area.

“It’s about uncovering all that but also showing what an interesting place it is.

“We are very keen to draw lots of people together to help establish this and make sure it is owned by the community.”

The training, run by Leys News editor Sarah Edwards, will cover issues such as media law, balance, and interviewing techniques.

Once the five weekly sessions are over, those who have learned the basics of the trade are asked to help bring together the first issue of the paper.

It will be laid out and printed by Leys News, with the idea being that a group of editors come up with the content for the first edition of the eight-page newspaper. A more permanent editor will be appointed for the next issue.

So far 12 people have said they are interested in taking part but Ms Gill is looking to attract at least another three, ideally young people aged 19 to 25.

She said: “One of the first things we want to do is get a discussion going about where and what Cowley is.

Cowley councillors have given £1,000 towards the project from their delegated budgets, while a £10,000 Oxford City Council grant to Leys News will help with production costs for the newspaper along with its equivalents in the Leys, Rose Hill and Wood Farm. If extra funding is found, it is planned to produce four editions next year.

Ms Gill said those who had come forward so far aged from 20 to 60 and included an artist, a student, a stay-at-home parent and a retired person.

If people cannot attend the free training, funded by Oxford Brookes University through its Bridges project, Ms Gill said all those interested in getting involved were welcome to call.

* To find out more about taking part, email cowleynews editor@gmail.com or call Ms Gill on 01865 396778 or 07796 175492.