Welcome to the Community

The User Community is at the very heart of this website and we think is the most important aspect of how we will use digital media to complement the traditional newspaper!

The County Down Spectator has a long tradition of bringing news to the people of North Down of course, but digital and social media are more about allowing you, our readers, to have your own say on things, for you to tell your stories and to set the agenda in and for the community.

Joining our online Community will allow you to access a number of additional and special features, including:

• Comment on the week's biggest news stories
• Participate in discussions & debates in the Forum
• Write and publicize your own 'blog' diary
• Create your own Groups and Events
• Show off your photos and videos
• Take part in surveys and competitions
• Instant chat
• Integration with Facebook

To access these special features and join your largest local online Community, please register by clicking on the button below or on the Community Registration tab in the Community section of the main menu. Registration is required only once and has only a very short form to complete. Once registered, you will be able to 'Login' by returning to the Community Registration page or clicking on the button at the top right of the website.

Accounts may be set up in the name of an individual or an organisation, e.g. a sports club, church group etc and in this way you will be able to blog or post photos and videos etc in the name of that organisation. Simply select the desired option during completion of the registration form.

Facebook Integration

If you are already a personal Facebook user it is even easier to register and login immediately by simply clicking once on the large 'Login With Facebook' button on the registration or login forms or the large blue Facebook button at the bottom of this page. You do not even need to enter any username or password information!

On your first login with Facebook you will get some messages from the Facebook connection app checking that you have given your permission for the integration to take place. The first of these is essential and the second is optional but better for full integration between the two websites.

Once registered (& logged in!) you will see a new menu option under the main Community tab - 'Community Dashboard' - that takes you to your main Community account controls. Non-members cannot see this menu option nor access the Community features. Other new menu options for registered member only will allow you to update your account details and upgrade your subscription to be able to read the complete online version of our weekly newspaper.

Premium Subscription

Additionally, we have a special 'Premium' subscription option which provides an option to read every new issue of the County Down Spectator online - a digital copy of the full newspaper every week! The option to upgrade your subscription is again added to the Community menu for registered and logged-in users.

So, what are waiting for? Join today and truly make the Spectator Your Community, Your Voice and Your Local Newspaper...