This is a different sort of ‘And Finally…’. It’s different for two reasons: because it’s my last one: and, because, instead of the usual 700 words of mindless drivel, it’s a sort of appeal.

So yes, it’s my last page full of nonsense.  If you have read the cover story, you will know that I have stepped back from editing The Mover. I feel this page very much illustrated the character of the magazine and so, as new characters step in, I thought it inappropriate to continue. They will breathe their own style to the publication, and it wouldn’t make any sense for them to try to emulate mine.  The magazine has always been authentic and, trying to copy someone else’s sense of fun, wouldn’t be.  It’s only right that they do it their own way in future. 

But, stepping away from all but a tenuous connection with The Mover does give me an opportunity to launch an appeal on its behalf. I have never felt comfortable touting for business for myself (that’s probably why I was a rubbish salesman), but I can do it for someone else. So here goes ….

There used to be a grocer’s shop at the corner of our street.  It was only small but, if you ran out of tea bags or loo rolls you could guarantee that they would have some, and they’d be open until 10pm. It’s true that they were a little more expensive than the hypermarket three miles away, and they didn’t have much choice, but they were there when you needed them. The shop closed 10 years ago.  The local community was appalled. “It was a great asset to the neighbourhood,” they cried. But ask those same people where they did most of their shopping, they would tell you – Tesco.

We had a pub too, The Black Horse.  It was one of three in the village. A bit spit-and-sawdust admittedly, the chairs were hard and the food was limited to crisps and pickled eggs.  But the beer was good and the barmaid had a smile and a proper cleavage.  It’s gone now.  Not surprised really as there was only ever four old chaps and a Labrador in there. The villagers now have two hostelries, both gastro pubs, hugely expensive.  But if you fancy a quick pint after work, you have to shower and get dressed up just to set foot in the places.  A sad loss. The Black Horse could have so easily been a village focal point. We had a local theatre that went the same way; and a post office.  There is a common theme to their demise: not enough people used them.

The Mover has always been successful.  Thank you. Despite no longer being directly involved, I hope it will continue to be so for a very long time to come, and I wish the new publisher and editor well.  It’s a remarkable thing. Even after 14 years it remains the only independent publication for the moving, storage and relocation sectors. There is no other publication that allows anyone to advertise; no other magazine that will publish relevant and interesting articles free, from anyone, whether aligned to an association or not; there is no other searchable database that allows anyone to access a complete historical record of the industry since 2011; nobody else offers multimedia promotional opportunities through the magazine, the Internet and social media as a complete package.  The Mover is unique, and I am very proud of it.

People accost me at conferences to tell me how much they enjoy reading the magazine. They comment on stories, latch on to editorial themes, and sometimes thank me for breathing life into sensitive topics that need exposure but are too political for other, affiliated publications to touch.  I am grateful for their appreciation. But how many of those people advertise with us? As a proportion of our huge readership, very few. Yet  advertising remains our only means of financial support.

The Mover has a real place in this industry. It’s a place that it filled 14 years ago and, should it cease to exist, I predict nobody will ever replace it.  But be assured, it does not survive on fresh air. If you enjoy the magazine, and value its contribution to the industry, please support it.  Just by redirecting a fraction of your annual advertising budget every year to The Mover, you can help it thrive for many years to come, and benefit from great publicity.

With that I sign off.  Thank you for your support and friendship over so many years. Cin cin!