Lou Guthrie

Hailing from Nigeria, Lou’s spirit is adventurous; she was practically doing the backstroke before taking her first steps! Her lifelong love for bananas made them her dietary sidekick. In her childhood, a quirky tribal trade offer of a goat in exchange for Lou left her mother questioning life choices “a goat would’ve been more fun!” 

Lou studied in Alsager, Stoke-on-Trent, UK, and became a devoted Stoke City football supporter. After school, she joined the Royal Air Force, describing it as her best time.

During a visit to her brother in South Africa Lou met her husband. Together they owned and ran the second-generation Guthrie’s Shooting Range, teaching people how to use handguns for sport, self-protection and archery: beware, she’s a very good shot with a handgun and compound bow. Lou and her husband were blessed with two amazing sons  Grant and Jason, who now reside in different parts of the world. Her grandson, “Little Ray” adds brightness to her life, although she wishes there were more visits. 

When her husband started a new chapter, Lou returned to England with nothing, but the clothes on her back. Lou lives on the outskirts of Faringdon with Buzz, who has been there through everything, a true gentleman of a Shih-Tzu and Nick, the brain behind Nick Moore Cars. 

In 2012, she took the helm of The Advertiser, adding more colour and a few more pages to make it what it is today. It is a testament to her hard work, dedication – and probably a secret banana stash in her office! The early days involvement with The Advertiser used to make her feel ill selling advertising. She was terribly scared of people, which is ironic considering she once owned a shooting range! Under Lou’s leadership, The Advertiser has evolved into a community gem, there to promote the goings on in and around Faringdon. Lou invites local charities and community groups to send in their events and articles. She also sponsors the Faringdon Rugby and Faringdon Town football club – probably with the hope that no one trades her for a ball! This year The Advertiser is providing the 2023 Town Christmas tree, with the lights switch on happening on the 2nd December.

Lou has great fondness for the Folly where she met the most incredible friends, fellow dog walkers, and where her parents’ ashes were scattered on a windy day. She feels as though she ingested both of them, knowing they would have smiled at the stupidity.

In her free time she enjoys bowling, and she won this year’s ladies singles final. Being a serious gamer she has played every Zelda game released! 

Lou offers this gem of wisdom to her lovely readers, “You can do anything you put your mind to, even if you don’t believe you can, if you try – you will succeed!” So whether running a magazine or taking on a tribe for a goat trade, just give it a shot.

Article and image by Jennie Mercer. If you have any suggestions for an unsung hero or notable personality, please contact me at hello@theadvertisermagazine.net.