Get to know the faces behind your local community newspaper

Indie News Week is the UK’s annual celebration of independent news.   In 2026, we would like to give our readers the chance to celebrate Indie News Week by learning more about the faces behind their local community newspaper and what goes into covering local stories. Here our staff and some of our valued contributors/volunteers introduce themselves:

Marco Marcelline, Editor

I’ve been proud to edit the Echo since July 2023. Since then we’ve covered housing evictions, school strikes, controversial council decisions, local Palestine protests, and both general and local elections. Fair, accurate and comprehensive journalism is what I strive for. The business model of journalism may be shifting, but I believe a newspaper’s role is to inform the public with substance and sincerity – not just chase clicks. In my first issue, I promised to hold power to account while highlighting the magic of this exciting, diverse and culturally rich borough. Together with our team, I hope we’ve managed to do that.

Sebastian Mann, Local Democracy Reporter

I cover Waltham Forest Council, from planning decisions and licensing disputes to budget black holes and councillor drama. I cut through the noise to keep you informed about what elected officials are doing in your name, with your taxes. Since February 2024 I’ve covered a range of stories: the closure of Markhouse Centre; the council’s work to divest from companies linked to the arms trade; and a campaign to convert a disused gasworks into a water park. I’m proud of the work my colleagues and I do to scrutinise our leaders and hold power to account. I previously worked as a reporter in my home county of Lincolnshire.

Penny Dampier, photographer

I have been involved with the Echo since 2018. My roles included managing distribution and membership and running the photography page. I now work for sister publication EC1 Echo but still sometimes help with pics for this paper. Some of my most notable photography jobs include the local election, Harry Kane, and King Charles and Queen Camila! I still get a buzz when I see one of my photos on the front page. I’ve lived in Walthamstow for 18 years, and love the sense of community. I’m also involved in the local art scene, hosting photographic exhibitions as part of E17 Art Trail, as well as acting in various theatre productions.

Nathan Clarke, contributor

It’s a real privilege to write for a paper so deeply rooted in the community I grew up in. In my former role at a large regional paper, I saw how quickly audiences lose trust when reporting becomes sensationalist or disconnected from local concerns. Independent titles like the Echo keep real journalism alive by focusing on the stories that genuinely matter. My interests span current affairs, local history, sport, culture and the environment. In this edition, I’ve reported on rising bike thefts in the borough, and told the remarkable story of Waltham Forest FC’s most famous – yet largely unknown – former player.

Sarah Fairbairn, books reviewer

I’ve been living in Waltham Forest since 2014 and over the years it’s become really important to me to contribute to the community I live in. My career is in the arts and I do lots of work with authors, so writing book reviews is a natural fit for my interests, and I’m proud to write for our free local paper. I also volunteer with Eat or Heat, the foodbank based in Walthamstow, and am a trustee of Leyton Midland Collective, where our aim is to improve access to public spaces and community-building activities in our corner of Waltham Forest.

David O’Driscoll, sports writer

Growing up, I do not recall my parents ever reading a book, but they did read newspapers. They did this to stay in touch with what was happening in the world, locally, and back home in Ireland. Today, the mass readership of newspapers has sadly long gone, and the majority of news is viewed on social media, with huge potential for misinformation. This is why I contribute to the Echo; I am fortunate to live in a vibrant community with so many creative people, and I like to support this. I write mostly about sport, often Walthamstow FC, and the local community based team I am involved in, Coppermill Swifts.