Friends Of Buckshaw Village: Celebrating 120 Editions and a Decade at the Heart of the Community

Friends Of Buckshaw Village Community Magazine reached a truly remarkable milestone this December with the publication of its 120th edition, marking ten years of supporting, celebrating, and connecting the local community..

From its very first issue in August to September 2015 to today, the magazine has grown into a trusted and much-loved part of village life, delivered free of charge to homes across Buckshaw Village every month. Despite a brief pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitment to the community has never changed.

The Beginning

The magazine was founded by Harry Longworth at just 16 years old. Prior to launching Friends Of Buckshaw Village, Harry delivered leaflets around the village to earn money alongside schoolwork, homework, and everyday teenage life. While this provided valuable experience, it quickly became clear that there was a better, more resident-friendly way to promote local businesses without overwhelming households with multiple leaflets. The idea of a single, high-quality community magazine was born, one that would showcase local businesses while also sharing news, updates, and information relevant to the people living in Buckshaw Village.

A Blast From The Past

Launching a community magazine as a teenager came with significant challenges. Convincing businesses to trust and advertise in a publication created by someone so young was not always easy. One particularly memorable moment involved needing approval from senior management at Bargain Booze simply because the founder was not yet of legal drinking age. Alongside this, every edition was hand-delivered around the village, often after school and around homework commitments. Even when Buckshaw Village was much smaller, delivering a magazine to every home required time, dedication, and persistence.

From Humble Beginnings

From its modest 12-page first edition, Friends Of Buckshaw Village steadily grew in size, quality, and reputation. Throughout this growth, the magazine has remained firmly rooted in its purpose as a true community publication. Each edition aims to highlight the people, organisations, and initiatives that make Buckshaw Village such a special place to live. Over the years, this has included ongoing support for Derian House Children’s Hospice, a regular health column from Dr N J Muttucumaru of Buckshaw Village Surgery, and valuable local updates from County Councillor Aidy Riggott, along with contributions from many others who help keep residents informed and engaged.

How We Have Changed and Grown

The magazine’s design has evolved significantly over the past decade. A key milestone came with issue 12, which introduced the first image of Buckshaw Village on the cover, featuring the much-loved Green Man statue. From that point onwards, the covers have focused on celebrating the local area, spotlighting community initiatives, and reflecting village pride. Today, Friends Of Buckshaw Village is instantly recognisable, with its high-quality laminated finish frequently praised by residents and advertisers alike. This attention to presentation reinforces the magazine’s professionalism and ensures it feels like a publication worth keeping.

Here's a preview of how it looked and a fantastic video we captured of it being printed.

Reaching 120 editions would not have been possible without the continued support of local advertisers. Their loyalty allows Friends Of Buckshaw Village to be delivered free of charge to homes across the village every month, ensuring it remains accessible to all residents. Behind the scenes, the magazine is also supported by a dedicated delivery team who consistently go above and beyond, Harry’s mum who continues to proofread each issue, and his fiancée Abbey, whose patience and encouragement have been invaluable throughout the years of late nights and long production schedules.

Friends Of Buckshaw Village has had an impact far beyond the pages of the magazine itself. It became the foundation of Green Man Marketing, which now brings together Friends Of Buckshaw Village, Friends Of Leyland, and Friends Of Chorley under one umbrella. Alongside the magazines, the business provides website design, social media management, graphic design, and print services to businesses across Lancashire and the North West. What began as a way to earn pocket money has grown into a career, a business, and a platform that continues to support local communities and businesses.

Reflecting on the journey to 120 editions, it is clear that Friends Of Buckshaw Village has shaped not only a publication but also the people behind it. As Harry puts it, “This magazine isn’t just something I’ve worked on, it’s grown up with me. It’s seen me through school, into adulthood, and now into the next chapter of my life. Every edition carries a piece of that journey, made possible by a community that believed in me long before I believed in myself.”

While celebrating this incredible milestone, the focus remains firmly on the future. January 2026 will introduce a fresh new look for Friends Of, developed over several months with the same care, attention, and community-first mindset that has defined the magazine for the past decade. Friends Of Buckshaw Village is more than a community magazine. It is ten years of trust, local pride, and shared success, and 120 editions is just the beginning, here's a sneak peak at what's to come!

Are you interested in promoting your business with Friends of?

Friends of places your business in front of a highly targeted local audience with a proven reputation for supporting local.

It builds familiarity and trust within the community, helping your company to stay visible and keep generating regular enquiries.

Email: info@greenmanmarketing.co.uk | Phone: 01257 834 586

For more details on our printing services, visit www.friendsofmagazines.co.uk or www.greenmanmarketing.co.uk/friends-of-community-magazines