Well I've seen two editions of the new format of the magazine so far and I'm not sure I like it.
Personally I'm finding the front cover too cluttered with article headings or titles. They're obscuring too much of the front picture. Also the location of the front picture is no longer printed inside, at least I haven't found it yet.
I have enjoyed the fresh perspective, in the recent edition, of photographs taken at the water's surface. This was really different and there were some good photos there.
The article on the hidden treasures of our national parks was a good idea and perhaps we could see this repeated with different contributors say in a year's time?
I also like the sidebars reporting the properties of various fruits and a couple of herbs. I would like to see that continued.
So I have mixed feelings. Some of the changes are good and some not so good. I'll have to see how the next few editions go before giving my final verdict.
I'm missing the old version, it seemed less gimmicky, a bit more "authentic". It does looks like something Bauer would produce to be fair and I guess the new owners are gunning for the Trail readership. It certainly is becoming more like Trail inside, with all those "how to do" mini-features. It feels confused to be fair and I'm not entirely sure I'm happy that my new 2 year subscription started with the first new issue...When I think back to the quality of the stuff that went in the previous months, it makes me feel a bit sad.
A good thing is Perrin new column, let the guy talk about books and he is quite good as well as providing ideas for intriguing reader material.
Otherwise, that article about hiking and biking in the Lakes...Jesus, I'm sure the chap who wrote it is a nice lad and his fiancee a splendid lass, but I felt like I was reading something in a posh countryside mag for people who never really been in the Lakes nor went for a hike and had to be told everything. I have no idea what an article like that does in TGO...
I think the editorial team need to think carefully about what steps to take next, if its Trail Mk2 they are after, I can feel a lot of regular TGO readers won't be too happy....or maybe it's just me...
I think I largely agree with MS. I think you've hit it right on the nail. It does feel confused which is why I'm not sure if I like it. I'd forgotten about the article about hiking and biking in the Lakes. To be honest I read the hiking bit and didn't bother with the rest as it felt a bit basic, for people quite new to the pursuit.
The whole magazine feels a bit brash and more get up and go than the old one. It does feel as though a breathe of fresh air has been brought in but I'm not entirely happy with it.
I've renewed my subscription for another 2 years but after that? As I said I'll reserve my final judgement until I've read another 2 or 3 editions.
Like the "authentic" analogy. Trust me to get into the mag just as it goes poop.
The previous cover style seemed to convey a quiet confidence in what they were about. Now it screams buy me pleeeease!! Just like a Bauer product.
New publishers wanting a different approach. But for me, if I want the signposted formula approach I have Trail. The reason I had started buying TGO is it offered me an alternative.
Is not the problem with Trail or TGO that after a while they all end up recycling the same old stuff? Other than endless gear reviews what can they do that is fresh? There's a limit to how many times you can talk about your favourite walks in the Lakes, the Peaks or Snowdonia.
Not sure I like the slightly dumbed down feel. The reason I stopped buying Trail was all the how to stuff repeated ad nauseum, as well as the rather breathless writing style pitched at teenagers. Maybe I just got too old for it. I would hate to see TGO go the same way.
Still, there are some good bits, like the Norway piece, and the feature on Fisherfield. I like Ed Byrne, and Carey Davis seems a good writer. The water photos were good too, but if the Lake District walk and bike article was a taste of the future, then I will be very disappointed.
Indeed, I have to say I'm disappointed with the new Trail-like look and apparent dumbing down of content. TGO has always been a better produced mag, with content aimed at improving skills that was sensible (The Glenmore Lodge stuff) and interesting articles and columns (like the Mark Thomas article). I have actually found some good books via TGO.
Trail on the other hand does seem to be aimed at the "cool yoof" and I haven't seen a book review in there yet... I do hope TGO doesn't keep going down that route. TGO are going to 13 issues a year now- personally I'd rather have 12 good issues than 13 that are patchy in quality and more padded with dross.
Wish I hadn't renewed my sub recently, but I'll just have to stick with it for the next 2 years and hope for the best. Hopefully they won't throw out the good stuff with the changes.
