Reconnect now has a new editor, so say hello to SCOTT WILLIAMS, the person that’s taken over the controls at Reconnect Towers.
Timing, it’s a funny thing isn’t it? Circumstances change and just occasionally everything is aligned and things just fall into place, more and more I come to the conclusion it’s a benign world we live in. I suppose I should introduce myself, my name’s Scott Williams, and I’ve just taken the helm of the good ship Reconnect. That’s right Reconnecters I’ve taken over the captain’s chair from Martin, although I do hope he continues to pop in occasionally and let everyone in Reconnectland know what he’s up to (it will save me having to tell you all every time I meet you – see page 24 for more). Hardly any of you will know who I am, though Embercombe did get an exclusive as I dropped in on their wonderful open day in October, and some of you have now talked to me on the phone or via email, as I’ve tried to manage the controls safely for this issue. Although I’ve spent decades in publishing I don’t spend much time in the summer months at home which has over the last few decades been across much of Reconnectland, currently in Dawlish Warren. After beginning work in local hotels and pubs, I started a family and moved from pubs to publishing. I started with educational titles for early learners, before an arc which followed my daughter’s development meant creating magazines first for tweenies and then young teenagers. Then, that benign universe I mentioned suddenly stepped in, and my passion of going to festivals resulted in a new career. I rather love the greenfields of a certain Somerset festival. Over the years I’ve built up a fair bit of experience of events, having been to festivals since the mid-Eighties. This led to me being invited to become the online editor of eFestivals (the website about festivals). Now as I approach my fifties, I still have a deep love for what I call ‘proper festivals’, the family friendly type, offering much more than just music and a bar in a field. The ethic was something I championed since taking up the role in 2008. Since then there’s been a boom in small festivals, and the tent has been replaced by a campervan. It’s been summer after summer with the family covering festivals nearly every weekend for the ever lengthening summer season all over the south west, and sometimes further afield. Life on the road every weekend and working on a news based website all the time can get tiring, and just when I was looking for another challenge, I came across a copy of Reconnect. I talked to my wife, and family and I thought about it, and Martin kept making my brain whirl with his editorial, and I kept thinking about it, and I was smitten. I realised I can do this, I know there’s a world here in South Devon a bit similar to the festival scene. What made up my mind for me was experiencing the community spirit at Embercombe. Reconnectland is a place where folks help each other out and live their lives peaceably in the sun. So, I’ve taken the plunge and become your facilitator to enable your community to continue to connect to one another. I realise I have a lot to learn about Reconnectland but that’s half the fun! I’m sympathetic to the ideals of this community, and I’m sure you’ll welcome me. After all I’ll just be the person steering the ship, it’s up to all of you to continue to power it and map out the final destination of each issue. After spending my summers disconnected from the world, it will be great to be able to reconnect again. It’s a journey I’m looking forward to taking with all of you.