BHBeat Magazine (2011)

Company: BHBeat Magazine, Bournemouth

Mentored by Charis Webster (Editor)

November 2011 - Freelance contributions

Fish Pedicures: Novelty health treatment or life-endangering risk? BHBeat investigated how safe the UK's popular enrichment of the moment actually is.

During this investigation I spoke to pediatric surgeon Dr Mike O'Neill and Sophie Dack-Stainer an entrepreneur from Poole who started a Fish Pedicure business.



Sadly BHBeat gradually grounded to a halt after December 2011, ceasing to exist shortly after.

Bournemouth Echo (November 2011)

Company: The Bournemouth Echo, Bournemouth

Mentored by Darren Slade (Chief Reporter)

November to December 2011 - one month placement


Having worked at the Bournemouth Echo previously, the newsgroup generously took me on for a one-day-a-week freelance basis.

Children's TV legend Neil Buchanan spoke about being a failed rockstar, rumours about his 'death' and inspiring a whole generation to be more creative. This is Art Attack's presenter speaking to Joshua Saunders reminiscing about his career so far.

I managed to clinch this interview after contacting his PR agent about coming to Bournemouth to launch his new collection Hope Street.

Neil Buchanan displaying his new art collection.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Featured in the print edition of the Echo         

Great fella Neil, happily posed for photographs
with both visitors and over-eager journalists...

Swearing: Is it best to be secretive when using an expletive? A feature considering the debate after Hon. Mr Justice Bean challenges the illegality of verbally abusing police officers at the Court of Appeal. The Bournemouth Echo poses whether 'foul language' can be part of today's society?

Do we need swearing? Joshua Saunders asks.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Gordon Ramsay swore 243 times during
TV show Gordon's Great British Nightmare.

For an abbreviated version on the
Bournemouth Echo website CLICK HERE.

Controversial comedian Frankie Boyle announced a turnaround tour after vowing never to go back on the road again, with dates including the Bournemouth International Centre.

Frankie I don't give a damn. CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Frankie announces new tour
The Last Days of Sodom

Shortened version appeared in the online
edition of the Bournemouth Echo
CLICK TO READ

 NIBS

Story summaries:

• Every hour more than 100 people go into hospital and more than 40 people die from alcohol-related problems. The Solent NHS Trust Drug and Alcohol recovery service and other local agencies offer their support to help people with drinking problems to control their addiction.

• Local dance school Steppin' Out Academy of Dance debuts their Christmas performance 

• Tips for looking ten years younger were shown at a charity event

• Bournemouth Choir unveil their comeback show

• A hospice was looking for bags to trade and sell at a nearby event

• Artwork to be shown by artists in the area

A selection of NIBs.
READ THE SELECTIONS HERE

Alcohol related problems dominate the United Kingdom local
Bournemouth organisations are there to help.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL PIECES

Free Radio, previously Beacon Radio (2011)

Company: Beacon Radio (now Free Radio), Wolverhampton, West Midlands 

Mentored by Steve Hermon (Radio Journalist and Broadcaster)

June 2011 - One week placement

A former worker in Saddam Hussein's regime dubbed by the media as a 'torture doctor' had been working at a local hospital in Wolverhampton.

I was the first person to get confirmation of these details from the Communications Department from The Royal Wolverhampton Hospital NHS Trust. Other pieces were then picked up by the nationals about Dr Al-Byati

First confirmation that the former-Saddam Hussein work was employed by a hospital in Wolverhampton.

Wolverhampton opening its bid to become the UK's Curry Capital (audio was also obtained).

Published online - although the URL no longer exists due a
change in the name of the radio station

Three example scripts for the Curry Capital Bid:

1st Script

CURRY FRI 1
Wolverhampton need your votes to become the Curry Capital of the UK

Despite entering the competition for the first time last year they gained third place - but bosses want to win it this year.

Sam Hussain's a chef at Cafe Rickshaw - he believes the city should be proud of what it's got...

[CLIP]

OUT: '...definitely going to be number one.'

You can find out how to vote for the city on the news-pages of beacon radio dot co dot uk.

   
2nd Script

CURRY FRI 2
Your votes are need to crown Wolverhampton the UK's Curry Capital.

The city entered the competition for the first time last year and came in third, however bosses have their eyes on first place.
The Bollywood Babes danced at yesterday's launch party - they told Beacon why Wolverhampton will win this year...

[CLIP]

OUT WORDS: '...it's always their favourite dish.'

You can find out how to vote for the city on the news-pages of beacon radio dot co dot uk.

 
3rd Script

CURRY FRI 3
Wolverhampton are bidding to become the Curry Capital of the UK but need your votes.

Bosses hope to win the competition this year after being awarded third place in their first attempt last year.

Councillor Steve Simkins who favours a Red Thai Curry, believes the competition will benefit the city...

[CLIP]

OUT WORDS: '...other venues within the city.'

You can find out how to vote for the city on the news-pages of beacon radio dot co dot uk.  

 
Each of the several pieces I worked on required me to either source the audio, and/or edit the prerecorded interviews into three packages, with differing angles. These were in preparation for three consecutive bulletins and required varying scripts and audio clips for each one.

Some of the other pieces I worked on included:

• Summer Row shopping centre given a life-saving injection of cash from Wolverhampton Council
• Dudley's application for city status was jeopardised after another closure on the high street
• Over half of West Midlands parents with children under-18 were especially at risk of a family crisis according to a charity report.
  
• West Mercia Police issued a warning of the hidden dangers for people trying to swim in local rivers and pools
• A CCTV image had been released of a man who drove off without paying for petrol 16 times in the Black Country
• Up to three quarters of a million public sector workers in Wolverhampton, Telford and Shrewsbury were set to strike in protest of the pensions cuts
  
• Shropshire hoped that historic Olympic location Much Wenlock would be visited on the following year's Olympic Torch Relay
• Volunteers in the Black Country lived two days blindfolded to raise awareness for people with sight impairments
• Children as young as five could be compulsorily assessed as part of controversial new reading and pronunciation tests to be brought in by Michael Gove
  
  
  Special thanks to Steve Hermon for his unwavering and kind advice during the week. Follow him @stattosteve

The Birmingham Mail (2011)

Company: The Birmingham Mail, Birmingham

Mentored by John Marsden (Deputy News Editor)

July 2011 - One week placement

Local aspiring actor Scott Westwood appealed to the public to help him raise money to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. One of the most prestigious drama schools in the world, having produced the likes of Alan Rickman, Antony Hopkins and soon to be Scott.

Destined for big things Scott's CV already boasted an
Edinburgh Fringe performance amongst others
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Scott did manage to raise enough money
to make his RADA dream happen.

Click on the text for a shortenedaccount on the Birmingham Mail's website.

 

 

Councillor Ian Ward stood trial before the mocking hand of Hancock (a commentary column to commemorate one of Birmingham's cynical comedian). The Councillor was in the firing line at a surgery after an frustrated Shard End resident told him off for showing up at a resident's home without any stationary - school boy error.

Hancock casting his comedic eye upon Councillor Ward's primary mistake
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Featured on the Birmingham Mail Online

 

A multimillion-pound revamp of Tennis centre began. The Edgbaston Priory had previously hosted the Aeon classic semi-finals and hoped to be considered for future racket events.

The centre has hopes to nurture future British Racquet stars
after the £9.1 redevelopment. CLICK TEXT FOR FULL LINK

Featured on the Birmingham Mail Online

 

NIBS

Story summaries:

• Birmingham Churches ap-peal (sic) for twenty more bell ringers to ring all of the capital's 300 bells could ring simultaneously. 
• Catshill Pet Adoption Centre planned to hold a 'Dr Do-a-little family fun day' to raise funds.
• A small snippet I proposed and wrote embracing the twitter-sphere's reaction to Birmingham sports initiative Be Active to promote fitness in the area.

Donate at the Dr Do-a-little
fundraiser for a pet shelter

Twenty more hands to have the sound of bells reverberating
through the city.  FOR FULL LINK CLICK TEXT

 

 

 

Twitter's reaction to
Birmingham Be Active

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Sunday Mercury

King of the Jungle The West Midlands Safari Park won the Best Animal Attraction of the year.

King of the jungle - West Midlands Safari Park
CLICK TEXT FOR FULL LINK

Featured on the Sunday Mercury.net

 

The Bournemouth Daily Echo (June 2011)

Company: The Bournemouth Echo, Bournemouth

Mentored by Darren Slade (Chief Reporter)

June 2011 - Two week placement

Three Monarchs star David Conway toured with Morecambe and Wise to the Black and White Minstrels. The virtuoso harmonica entertainer scaled the UK performing with some of the most prestigious acts, now 50 years since his first summer season in Bournemouth he recalls his life in showbiz. (To read the feature click on the captions below) 

David started as part of a comedy harmonica trio,
before setting off for bigger things
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Click on the text for a shortened
account on the Bournemouth Echo's website.

After reading the piece David and his wife Pauline kindly sent a letter thanking me for the write-up.

Letter from David and Pauline.

 

Driving Awareness Courses were set to become the most expensive in the country. Motorists caught speeding amongst other offences could opt to pay the course fee of £105 to negate any points that would have been put onto their license. An average of £30 more than any other part of England. 

 

In this piece I went out onto the streets of Bournemouth to vox-pop the public and spoke to someone  who had previously endured the Driving Awareness Course.

Click on text for online edition

Simon Hibbard, 52, said: "[I found the course] extremely belittling, they talked down to you and constantly tried to make you sound stupid."

 NIBS

Story summaries:

• Health and safety training plea to farm and agriculture workers after the sector was revealed to have the highest injury rate of any in England
• Dorset Diadem, a train that ran from Hastings to Purbeck returned after a 40 year hiatus
• A warning of rising thefts in car parks near surrounding the New Forest
• Free dance lessons at Bournemouth's Pavillion Centre
  

• Dorset libraries appealed for volunteers to help with their children's reading project
• Bournemouth Orchid Society received 15 awards for their green fingered passion
• A 'guess the amount of flower heads' competition was launched to help raise money to more Charminster a more attractive place to live

• The Beach Hut of the Year competition opened for entrants
• A budding baby thespian was required for a acting role in local production The Great Rinsing
• Labour MP Mike Grapes was set to speak at a local meeting in Bournemouth
• Labour Party hosting a party to celebrate campaign efforts
  

The Bournemouth Advertiser

 Conducting vox-pops to find out the dieting secrets from the women of Bournemouth.

Nerve* Magazine (2010)

Company: Nerve* Magazine, Bournemouth

Mentored by Lauren Keith (Features Editor)

December 2010 - Seven months as the Sub-Editor for Features

A profile of Bournemouth's notorious human statue Johnny Goldman, the man with the Midas touch guided Joshua Saunders through his maverick years. As the art of becoming a living statue transformed his chaotically polarized life from one of copious self-destruction to cathartic spiritualism.

Candidly spilling the details of his life John kindly told of his wilder 'maverick' years. FOR FULL STORY CLICK TEXT.

 This was my first feature targetted at lifestyle; exceptional design work by Grant Corlett

Double page spread in Nerve* Magazine

First written feature with a byline

During the year I also presented the live television launch for Nerve* TV alongside the lovely Maddy Watkins. As well as reading the radio news that was broadcast live throughout the university campus.

Birmingham Metropolitan College - Student MET (2010)

Company: Birmingham Metropolitan College Student MET, Birmingham

Mentored by Ian St Peters (former BBC Radio Journalist)

June 2010 - City and Guild Advanced Diploma in Journalism

Aspiring students from the Birmingham MET journalism course travel down to London for a tour of the ITV News' London Headquarters and to watch a lunchtime broadcast live from within the studio. Shortly after meeting anchor James Mates and gaining advice for breaking into journalism from his experienced knowledge.

ITV Lunchtime host James Mates meeting trainee journalists.                        First Byline: Birmingham Student MET
Pictured: Niall Mann, Chop Van Souwe, Natalie Jameson, James Mates,                                    Student Newsletter
Joshua Saunders Anita Sohal

Below is an article I submitted to both the Great Barr Observer and Birmingham Mail - the staff reporters published their own names above the piece, despite only altering the top line. Meaning the articles are virtually the same. However both of the pieces were page leads and gained favour from the public

Beeches Cadets Marching Band were asked to perform at the ten year memorial event of the September 11th attacks, but to afford the trip £60,000 in funds was needed by the group. If the group managed to raise the money with help from the public they would be the only group in the UK asked to perform at ceremony.

Featured in the Great Barr Observer - Beeches Cadets

Teaser for the story featured on the
Great Barr Observer's front page

Unfortunately the group were not able to make enough money to make the trip to New York, however the public truly got behind the cause with some writing in letters of support.  

A letter to the Great Barr Observer from one reader exclaiming
how impressed he was with the group's dedication to their cause.

Seeing double? The same piece published in the Birmingham Mail