Welcome to Call Me Will - my blog covering Gloucestershire and more
To start my name is William Luker but you can Call Me Will. This blog is a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox, a new venture for me personally.
I aim to publish my own independent journalism about Gloucestershire, the county I have called home for over 25 years. All you need to do is join the mailing list below to start getting my work sent to you.
You will discover that this is something different, a blog with a specific focus on quality over quantity. I value context the most when I write about what is going on in Gloucestershire and what you will receive are thoughtful pieces.
One weekly roundup every Saturday on news or features from the county via other platforms will be sent to your inbox. You will also find pieces involving my own personal interests plus pieces that are good ideas on a range of topics.
My story
This new venture done in my spare time follows on from my role as Community Reporter at the Gloucestershire Echo/Gloucester Citizen, known as Gloucestershire Live online. I covered many communities across every part of the county.
I did the absolute best I could to write community journalism that mattered to people including concerns about road safety in the Forest of Dean, the 75th anniversary of Windrush in Gloucester, speaking to shops on Tewkesbury High Street about Christmas and much more.
I grew up in the county, I studied at the University of Gloucestershire, gained a degree in journalism, applied for many media jobs before I successfully became a Community Reporter.
Doing the job for almost three years I absolutely loved waking up to report on something new because journalism involves no two days being the same. Via this blog (as well as my presence on social media) I will continue to share decent journalism from former colleagues who remain at Gloucestershire Live because they really care about keeping the county informed.
Putting the reader first
Call Me Will is something I want you, the reader, to get involved with. My blog aims to serve Gloucestershire communities as well as allowing readers an insight into my personal interests including three main topics: walking, history and cycling. I will not be writing breaking news.
What’s in the name?
Calling a blog with my name in? There’s a simple reason mixed with a little humour. My name is William (or Will) and my surname Luker. I do prefer Will but the easy mistake is that I often get called Luke. I never get annoyed when someone makes this mistake (don’t worry I’ve been called worse!), I find it amusing and something that puts a smile on my face.
How to get involved
Please write to me. If you have a potential story in Gloucestershire that needs to be covered please don’t hesitate to contact through my email. Unfortunately I cannot cover everything because I am solo.
My email: callmewillsubstack@gmail.com
My social media links are:
Please spread the word. If you have joined the mailing list, please share my blog to anyone who you think might be interested. Below is a share link, so please copy and paste away into your group chats, social media or friends.
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