67 Comments
Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann, The Mill, Mollie Simpson

Well deserved recognition. You make your subscribers feel like important friends. When I read The Mill I am moved, invigorated, and I know I can trust what I read. As Colin Powell said, "if you trust your leaders, you will follow them, if only out of curiosity"

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They are important friends! Perhaps not in a conventional sense, but I do feel they are people who have supported me at key moments when I wasn't sure if things would work out, and that I can speak to them honestly about how I feel. And now I've met dozens of them at events too, which is always lovely. I'm delighted that you feel moved and invigorated - I always hope that our writing and journalism can STIR peopel a bit, rather than just giving them information. I don't mind if sometimes people are angry or revolted or surprised, but I'll stop doing this when peopel are bored... Great Colin Powell quote - love that. Thanks for reading and being part of this Liz.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann, Mollie Simpson

Excellent news! You all deserve a huge, spine-dislocating, pat on the back (ok, maybe not that life-changing, but excellent local journalism can indeed change lives for the better).

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Thanks Jon! Dislocate that spine. Much appreciated.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann, Mollie Simpson

Fantastic news and what a brilliant, emotional read.

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Thanks Andy.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann

Great to hear of this investment, well done! It's good to see quality journalism thrive (Reach et al take note), especially when it reflects places outside London. Another giant leap for The Mill!

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Damn, that should have been my headline... Thanks for your support Philip.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Mollie Simpson, Joshi Herrmann

Very moving Joshi and well done.

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Thanks :)

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Aug 31, 2023Liked by The Mill, Joshi Herrmann

Many congratulations!

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Thanks Michael

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Aug 31, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann, The Mill

Fantastic heartening news.Always so refreshing to read The Mill , often covering topics that I would never otherwise know about.Such an antidote to"mainstream" media. Onwards and upwards!!

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Many thanks 🙏

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Aug 31, 2023Liked by The Mill, Joshi Herrmann

I remember when I saw that “newsletter” from Reach pop up, thinking that The Mill was clearly having an impact beyond just its subscriber base- the irony being of course, that it was nowhere near as good as The Mill.

I’m pretty sure that most of us who subscribe, don’t just do it for the articles and news you give us(which are excellent, obviously!). We also do it because we believe in what you and your team are doing, Joshi. Congratulations on what you’ve all achieved so far and the best of luck for the future.

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Thanks David. If we're doing reminiscing, I remember our call in the summer of 2020 when I had only just went a few newsletters and you were encouraging me to carry on. Grateful for your support ever since. Speak soon.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by The Mill, Joshi Herrmann

Congratulations Joshi and team. Sometimes good things do happen to people doing good things, and it’s very heartening to hear 😊

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Thanks very much Helen :)

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That’s great news. Inevitability, with expansion, comes greater responsibilities and I hope the journalism of this wonderful local publication continues to highlight local issues.

Joshie, I wish you well, with the team you have around you will I’m sure you will continue the good work.

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Thanks David. Yes you're right. I've always tried to weight up the dilemma of how you maintain (and improve) editorial quality while expanding to other places and increasing the impact of what we do. I think we've broadly managed that, but that's the challenge. And yes, it will always be local. Hold me to that...

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann

Congratulations on everything you and the team have achieved, I'm sure your Dad would be so proud of you and the Mill x

Reading The Mill is my way of keeping in touch with my Mancunian roots now I have moved away to Rossendale. Keep up the excellent reporting x

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Thanks very much Sue. That means a lot. And I'm glad we manage to keep you in touch. Perhaps we should do the odd piece about things out your way, I know we have a lot of rural Lancashire readers and there's no reason we need to stick to the boundaries of Greater Manchester for every story. Thanks for reading and supporting.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann, Mollie Simpson

Absolutely delighted to read this. I am so pleased that more open, honest, clear and local journalism will be available in other places.

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Thanks very much Julie. Same!

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann

The back story at the end really touched me, I channelled some similar feelings into doing a PhD so this sort of thing definitely resonates with me, looking forward to seeing what happens next (p.s. please expand into Newcastle ;))

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Aug 30, 2023·edited Aug 30, 2023Author

Ha, a few people have asked about Newcastle today. I would LOVE to, mostly so I can go up for meetings and events in the Lit & Phil. I just need the right journalist to come forward. I think our next launch might be a little closer to Wales than to Scotland, but let's see. Glad that sentiment resonated - to be honest I hadn't really thought properly about it until today. It's strange when you sometimes have particular insights - not when you're having a peaceful day reading but when everything is going crazy. Anyway, thanks for commenting and for your support as a member.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Mollie Simpson, Joshi Herrmann

This is fantastic news and just reward for all the hard work and effort. It prompted me to check when I first subscribed which turned out amazingly to be Sept 2020. Can’t believe the progress in that time. Well done!

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Excellent, one of the early gang. Thanks for sticking with us Andrew, much appreciated.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Dani Cole, Joshi Herrmann

Delighted that your ambitions for The Mill are unbounded and realised at the same time.I found the Guardian coverage today however a little carping and condescending in its assessment of The Mill readership.Maybe I won't be supporting the Guradian (sic) with regular donations so often in the future.Good journalism shouldn't be concentrated in London when many great journals of reporting have their roots in other cities across Britain.I was also impressed by the parsimony of your one year anniversary celebration.Maybe you can afford a Chinese takeaway for the team next year?

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Ha, we're very parsimonious, except when celebrating in our bang-average local Mexican bar on Old Bank Street. I kind of know what you mean about the tone of scepticism in the Guardian story - I suppose they have to balance writing about a new thing without cheerleading for it. What I did find quite funny was the grumbling from the Reach Plc people - that we just reach a few thousand people (out by a multiple of 100x some months), that The Mill "Gets disproportionately large praise". What does that even mean? Who is being brainwashed into praising us too much against their better instincts. Lol. Anyway, thanks for your comment for your longterm support. Very grateful for it.

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann, Mollie Simpson

Congratulations! It's a singular achievement. I'm sure your mother is very proud, and your father would have been too. Plus you're a great spotter of talent.

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Thanks Michael. I've been lucky with the talent I think - they've very much found me. Thanks for all your support and comments over the years. And thanks re: Dad :)

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Aug 30, 2023Liked by Joshi Herrmann, Mollie Simpson

Not at all. And nice that Mark Thompson is involved - we ran into one another from time to time when he was running BBC2 and I was making comedy shows. A good man.

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Ah excellent. Yeah, looking forward to having his input.

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