In 1993 the Rev Norman Cotton, the Vicar of St Michael's Church, along with Methodist Minister, the Rev Jonathan Hustler assembled a team consisting of Veronica Bowsher, Sharyn Buck and Diana Sheldon to publish what was simply called Stewkley Newsletter.

The aim was to promote the activities that are carried on within Stewkley, to publicise forthcoming events and to publish anything of interest that anyone wishes to convey to the rest of the village.

The launch was favourably received by the village, many commenting that they did not realise so much went on in the village.

The February 1994 issue recognised Vivien Dagley and Beryl Grimditch who typed all the articles, along with Peggy and Pete Jackman for 'collating the whole thing', all local organisations that supplied the articles and the editorial team for putting it all together.

Change of name

For the March 1994 edition the name was changed to Yelkwest - almost Stewkley spelt backwards.

Colleen Burnett produced the new logo which replaced the previous drawing by Primrose Gillmore of the Dovecote.

A familiar village figure on bike now rode across the header on the front page.

In September 1994 a list of 27 proposed new names was published in Yelkwest.

On Saturday 10th September a ballot box was put in the library where it remained until Friday 23rd September 1994. 

The October 1994 edition of Yelkwest was to be the last as almost 22% of the vote went to:

Stewkley Grapevine

In November 1994 the fist edition of Stewkley Grapevine was published, with a new logo created by Ron Read, who also produced the following:

In days of old, when men were bold

and ‘Yelkwest not invented

we had no paper of our own

and carried on contented.

But, soon as Yelkwest went to print

we all jumped to the fore,

"Wot do it mean?" and "Blooming 'eck"

was 'oft time heard in roar.

It seems that most of Stewkley folk

whilst easy with life's lot,

just ‘needed’ Yelkwest’s different name

to get their collars hot.

I heard it on the Grapevine',

will soon be voiced throughout.

A future is in store for it -

Of that there is no doubt.

Our brand new paper spread the news

and also 'listens' clear,

for have you noticed, how most grapes,

are shaped just like an ear?

(Click the image below to read the early editions)