Social History / Documentary photography
Photographic exhibition presents the story of Wales’ short-lived local newspaper, ‘The Dynamic’
The Dynamic was a short-lived community newspaper serving Abertillery and the Ebbw Valleys, first published in May 2015 with a circulation of 5,000.
The brainchild of two men – Tony Flatman and Julian Meek – supported by a single computer and a printing contract, the paper was published regularly for two years. It was deemed in the end to be a cultural success, but a financial disaster.
Running against a turbulent UK political and media landscape characterised by fake news, austerity and Brexit, The Dynamic continued to campaign to Remain in the EU referendum of 2016. The surrounding region, Blaenau Gwent, went on to have the highest Leave vote in Wales.
is needed now More than ever
“All of Tony’s copy is handwritten, he doesn’t use a computer” (Julian Meek), Abertillery
Vote Leave sign, near Heads of the Valleys Road
“The ring of this phone was the only sound that wouldn’t make Julian jump off his chair” (Tony Flatman), Abertillery
An exhibition of images from former staff photographer for the publication, Sebastián Bruno, is now being presented at Martin Parr Foundation, along with archive materials and articles, memories, film, a telephone for visitors to hear Julian, and a mock-up newspaper office.
Initially, Bruno was intending to stay in Abertillery for three months, but his fascination with Flatman and Meek and their idiosyncratic paper persuaded him to stay on, chronicling their efforts to keep the project going as he did so.
“It was unclear where one article ended and another began,” he recalls. “I have never seen a publication with a column called ‘Sheep of the Week’, a mix of current political affairs and agriculture.
Sheep outside Tesco, Abertillery
Dog grooming Parlour, Tredegar
The Dynamic Office, 17 High Street, Abertillery
“I was gripped and started to ask around. Who was behind this quirky idea? The barmaid directed me to 17 High Street: ‘just ask for Julian, love!’”
The Dynamic was relaunched in 2019 to coincide with a BBC documentary about the project, which Bruno was commissioned to make along with photographer David Barnes. Efforts to turn the newspaper into a community enterprise fell through, and the Covid pandemic followed.
Nevertheless, there are still calls to bring the title back. “We will never stop being The Dynamic,” smiles Meek. “It has become an integral part of who we are.”
Julian Meek, Editor in Chief, Abertillery
Tony on distribution day
Tony and Julian on their way to a Pub Review, Cwm
The Dynamic by Sebastián Bruno is at Martin Parr Foundation until July 2 (gallery opening times are Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am-5.30pm; closed Monday to Wednesday; note the MPF gallery will be closed on May 20-21 for the Martin Parr Studio weekend). Entry to the exhibiton is free. For more information, visit www.martinparrfoundation.org.
Bruno’s book of the same name can be pre-ordered from ICVL Studio.
All photos: Sebastián Bruno
Read more: Martin Parr’s photos of Chew Stoke to be exhibited for the first time in 30 years
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