The History of the ‘Lambeth News-Star’ by Kathy Bayne for the Westminster Township Historical Society Some Lambeth residents might be surprised to learn that we had our very own weekly newspaper from 1963 to 1980. The first edition of The Lambeth News appeared in October 1963. It was a family business with William James Seaton as directing editor. His wife Olive was the executive editor. His oldest son, Bill Jr., was in charge of the printing shop, and his second son, Jim, filled in after school. William Sr. was no stranger to journalism and the newspaper/printing business, with his career spanning over 35 years. He said, “This is a small weekly newspaper but gives all the news fit to print and will express an opinion on everything that is of interest to our readers.” Lambeth was a fast-growing community with an excellent variety of businesses and several clubs and organizations. The News printed times, locations of their meetings and all the happenings thereof. Local advertisers and subscribers faithfully supported the paper. By 1966, The Talbotville Star was born, and shortly after that, The News and The Star amalgamated to form The News Star. This widened the coverage area for readers and business advertising. Correspondents (mostly women) from various sections of Westminster collected the local news that continued to be the backbone of the weekly. Daphne Fuller of Lambeth wrote the ‘This and That’ column, which covered everything from community groups to births, weddings and graduations. Daphne also contributed her original poetry, which was usually on a seasonal topic. Gertie Burtwistle was a popular correspondent who covered local stories for ‘The Tempo News’. Lambeth readers were always curious about those weekly topics. It was noted that she also had photography skills and was an avid scrapbooker. Doris Clark tackled the ‘Dear Doris’ advice column. Her ‘Happy Homemaking’ section included recipes, craft ideas, knitting and sewing patterns. Longer, fuller replies were sent to correspondents who enclosed a seven-cent stamped, self-addressed envelope. Bill Smiley wrote weekly columns, Dave Wilson wrote ‘Showbiz’ and Ward Cornell wrote a column ‘Persons, Places and Things’.
Ross Copp wrote ‘Sports Roundup’, and finally, William Seaton Sr. wrote ‘One Man’s Opinion – Editorial Comments’. Children were remembered with a cartoon section. A Lambeth resident told me that her mother checked the food ads from Butcher Boy (now Foodland) and she raced to the cartoon page. The newspaper brought the community together every week, which is no small task. William Sr. added political issues and editorials and included good and bad comments from readers. He stated that all opinions make people think. Mr. Seaton passed away in 1973 at the age of 62. His oldest son, Bill Jr., ran the newspaper until the last issue of The News Star rolled off the press in 1990.
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The Lambeth Lawnbowling Club has a long history of providing entertainment and competition for the town of Lambeth. The photo is of Red Cross operating a refreshment tent for a tournament held in 1919. From left to right: Eva Mandelunder, Juntia Carruthers, Josie Camp- bell, Sadie Anguish (Carruthers), Blanche Bainard, Mrs. Sharon Kelly, Eric Anderson (in front). Photo courtesy of the Westminster Township Historical Society.
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Page 14 Lambeth Villager • March 2025
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