The Berry was the only political newspaper at Cambridge University, England. In its print form, like The Cambridge Student and Varsity it had a distribution of 10,000. In 2009-10 it was relaunched as an online newspaper, 'The Berry Online', providing Cambridge students with their only regular forum for political debate, but suspended publication due to financial difficulties in the summer of 2012.
Overview
The paper was created to address the concerns of students of all political beliefs. Originally a joint project between CULC and CUCA, the paper was expanded to include contributors from all political persuasions. It aimed to remain unbiased while removing the anti-political slant of much modern media. In the past, the Cambridge Union was seen as being relatively right wing and the Cambridge University Students' Union seen as left wing. In this context, the Berry's pan-political project is one which self-consciously attempts to broaden political debate outside any one traditional constituency.
History
The paper was launched in October, 2005, by Laurie Fitzjohn-Sykes, then chairman of CUCA, to challenge the political apathy then prevalent among the university's students. After financial difficulty it was relaunched by Roland Foxcroft in 2006. While originally drawing writers from CULC and CUCA, the paper soon diversified to include contributors who were members of the other political parties and those who were members of none at all. Contributors have included Jeroen van der Veer, Mark Lloyd Davis and Tony Benn. Charles Read and Edward Winfield took over as editors in the 2010-11 academic year, seeking to increase readership and awareness of the newspaper. The last editor was Luke Fernandes. In the summer of 2012, The Berry suspended publication because of financial difficulties.
Organisation
The Berry was published entirely by a team of volunteers, students at Cambridge University. It was completely funded by advertisements and donations.
