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

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.