250 Years of History with the Hampshire Chronicle

Since 1772, the Hampshire Chronicle has served as a spotlight for important events across the county. Chief Reporter and Head of News Andrew Napier covers its past, present, and future.


At a glance, Winchester is a city preserved in history—sheltered from the winds of time and change. Upon closer inspection, you will discover that there are new stories and developments happening around every corner. It’s the job of Andrew Napier and a dedicated team of journalists to find these events and bring them to readers across the county.

Week after week for 250 years, the Hampshire Chronicle has been a steadfast source of news. With the internet and social media becoming increasingly important elements of our lives, how has the Chronicle adapted? What are its plans for the future? Andrew Napier tells the story.


Andrew Napier is the Head of News at the Hampshire Chronicle and Romsey Advertiser, as well as acting as Chief Reporter for the Southern Daily Echo. He covers all stories from Winchester and the surrounding areas. Andrew first joined the Daily Echo in 1988, and began working across the wider range of local outlets when changes in ownership brought the Chronicle, Advertiser and Echo together.

The Hampshire Chronicle is a weekly newspaper, founded in 1772 - and, proudly, has never missed an edition throughout its history, regardless of strikes, bad weather or war. Though its reporters (currently numbering six) are still based in central Winchester, the Chronicle left its traditional printing base on the city's High Street in the early years of this century. Today, a regularly-updated website is a key outlet for the paper - alongside its traditional Thursday compact edition, which retains strong circulation figures, and continues to 'chronicle' local events and play an important role in the civic and cultural life of the area, just as it has done for the last 250 years.

The Chronicle is now part of the Newsquest Media Group, together with its sister papers the Romsey Advertiser (founded in 1896) and Southern Daily Echo (1888). Newsquest is one of the largest local media organisations in the UK.

Further Resources and Links

Check out the latest news around Winchester on the Hampshire Chronicle’s website.

Plan a visit to the Hampshire Record Office and see any edition of the Hampshire Chronicle since 1772.

Stay up to date with local news on Twitter or follow the Hampshire Chronicle on Facebook.