The Bulletin (Brussels weekly)
Encyclopedia
The Bulletin is an English-language weekly magazine
published in Brussels
, Belgium
. Founded in 1962, it is the oldest weekly magazine in Belgium and one of the oldest English-language publications in Continental Europe. It currently claims a readership of 45,000 people, mostly from the large expatriate community
of the European Union
's capital.
Regular contributors have included the author and one-time British Labour MP Dick Leonard
, who writes about Belgian politics, and John Palmer, formerly Europe Editor of The Guardian (London) and former Political Director of the European Policy Centre
.
On September 21, 1962, Monique Ackroyd successfully completed the first issue of The Bulletin. Created in the basement of her Uccle
home, it was 8 pages and cost 5 Belgian francs. The publication was greeted enthusiastically by the English-speaking community: by the second issue, it had grown to 12 pages. Although things were going well with The Bulletin, it wasn't until 1967 with the move of NATO headquarters from Paris to Brussels that readership really took off. With a new office in Uccle, the magazine's circulation grew and the number of pages doubled to 48. By 1969, circulation had grown to 3,000, enabling yet another relocation of The Bulletin office to the Sablon/Zavel area, above the Vieux St. Martin restaurant.
In 1971, one of The Bulletin's freelance writers, Sunday Times journalist John Lambert, encouraged by the then editor, Aislinn Dulanty, decided to launch a campaign to ban traffic in the Grand-Place. A petition resulted in a partial success in March 1971, when drivers were banned from parking, but through traffic was still allowed. The Bulletin kept fighting. The staff organized a protest picnic held on June 25. "Bring your children, your grandmother, your umbrella (just in case)," urged the posters. The response was sensational, and hugely successful.
Due to such positive campaigns as well as the expansion of the EEC and expatriate community in Brussels, Ackroyd Publications launched What's On, an entertainment guide, in 1975. Three years later, the growing company moved into new offices, located on Avenue Louise.
The Bulletin was on a roll in the 1980s. It was a recognized publication, producing serious journalism that reflected the changing urban scene. It had Cleveland Moffett's reflective Rambler columns covering every aspect of urban life, Dick Leonard explaining every nuance of Belgian politics and Geoff Meade's wry stories on living in Belgium with his Meadelets and catlets. By 1986, its cash flow was healthy enough to pay for a smart corner mansion on Avenue Molière.
In the 1990s there was a change of editor, from Aislinn Dulanty to her daughter, Brigid Grauman. The Bulletin continued its successful ascent by recruiting new journalists, and launching several titles, including a design magazine called Look and an inflight magazine for the Belgian national airline Sabena.
Between 1992 and 1994, The Bulletin reported on a campaign led by expats of differing nationalities against BBC's Radio 4. It was thought that the service was to be stopped, causing outrage amongst its listeners. Even though the true situation came to light as being just a switch from long waves to FM, a protest organization was still founded. North Europe Save Radio 4 sent petitions and faxes until BBC agreed to keep the program on long wave.
In 2007, Ackroyd Publications was acquired by Corelio, the Flemish media group that owns four Belgian daily newspapers. Derek Blyth then became editor-in-chief.
Flanders Today is an independent, weekly, English-language newsmagazine based in Groot-Bijgaarden, just outside of Brussels, Belgium. Launched by Ackroyd Publications in October 2007, it covers news, business, arts and culture in Flanders, the northern region of Belgium.
WAB is a quarterly newsmagazine focusing on issues and events in Wallonia and Brussels.
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
published in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
. Founded in 1962, it is the oldest weekly magazine in Belgium and one of the oldest English-language publications in Continental Europe. It currently claims a readership of 45,000 people, mostly from the large expatriate community
Expatriate
An expatriate is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing...
of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
's capital.
Regular contributors have included the author and one-time British Labour MP Dick Leonard
Richard Leonard
Richard Lawrence Leonard is a British writer and journalist, writing as Dick Leonard, and also a former British Labour politician. He is a pro-European social democrat and a disciple of the late Anthony Crosland...
, who writes about Belgian politics, and John Palmer, formerly Europe Editor of The Guardian (London) and former Political Director of the European Policy Centre
European Policy Centre
The European Policy Centre is a Brussels-based not-for-profit think tank on European Union affairs, founded in 1996. It is committed to making European integration work and to promoting discussion and wider reflection on the issues facing the EU now and the challenges which lie ahead.The EPC aims...
.
History
"From now on, non-Belgian, English-speaking residents have a voice of their own. That voice: The Bulletin. YOUR weekly." - Monique Ackroyd, 1962On September 21, 1962, Monique Ackroyd successfully completed the first issue of The Bulletin. Created in the basement of her Uccle
Uccle
Uccle or Ukkel is one of the nineteen municipalities located in the Brussels-Capital Region of Belgium.Uccle is known for its well-to-do areas, its green spots and its high rental rates.-History:...
home, it was 8 pages and cost 5 Belgian francs. The publication was greeted enthusiastically by the English-speaking community: by the second issue, it had grown to 12 pages. Although things were going well with The Bulletin, it wasn't until 1967 with the move of NATO headquarters from Paris to Brussels that readership really took off. With a new office in Uccle, the magazine's circulation grew and the number of pages doubled to 48. By 1969, circulation had grown to 3,000, enabling yet another relocation of The Bulletin office to the Sablon/Zavel area, above the Vieux St. Martin restaurant.
In 1971, one of The Bulletin's freelance writers, Sunday Times journalist John Lambert, encouraged by the then editor, Aislinn Dulanty, decided to launch a campaign to ban traffic in the Grand-Place. A petition resulted in a partial success in March 1971, when drivers were banned from parking, but through traffic was still allowed. The Bulletin kept fighting. The staff organized a protest picnic held on June 25. "Bring your children, your grandmother, your umbrella (just in case)," urged the posters. The response was sensational, and hugely successful.
Due to such positive campaigns as well as the expansion of the EEC and expatriate community in Brussels, Ackroyd Publications launched What's On, an entertainment guide, in 1975. Three years later, the growing company moved into new offices, located on Avenue Louise.
The Bulletin was on a roll in the 1980s. It was a recognized publication, producing serious journalism that reflected the changing urban scene. It had Cleveland Moffett's reflective Rambler columns covering every aspect of urban life, Dick Leonard explaining every nuance of Belgian politics and Geoff Meade's wry stories on living in Belgium with his Meadelets and catlets. By 1986, its cash flow was healthy enough to pay for a smart corner mansion on Avenue Molière.
In the 1990s there was a change of editor, from Aislinn Dulanty to her daughter, Brigid Grauman. The Bulletin continued its successful ascent by recruiting new journalists, and launching several titles, including a design magazine called Look and an inflight magazine for the Belgian national airline Sabena.
Between 1992 and 1994, The Bulletin reported on a campaign led by expats of differing nationalities against BBC's Radio 4. It was thought that the service was to be stopped, causing outrage amongst its listeners. Even though the true situation came to light as being just a switch from long waves to FM, a protest organization was still founded. North Europe Save Radio 4 sent petitions and faxes until BBC agreed to keep the program on long wave.
In 2007, Ackroyd Publications was acquired by Corelio, the Flemish media group that owns four Belgian daily newspapers. Derek Blyth then became editor-in-chief.
Associated publications
Newcomer is a bi-annual magazine for expats who are new to Belgium, providing information to help them settle in and feel at home.Flanders Today is an independent, weekly, English-language newsmagazine based in Groot-Bijgaarden, just outside of Brussels, Belgium. Launched by Ackroyd Publications in October 2007, it covers news, business, arts and culture in Flanders, the northern region of Belgium.
WAB is a quarterly newsmagazine focusing on issues and events in Wallonia and Brussels.