The Great Barr and Sutton Coldfield Observer (2012)

Companies: Great Barr and Sutton Coldfield Observer

Editor: Nicola Robinson (Head of Group News)

July 2012 – Freelance contribution

Two Birmingham fitness fanatics raised over a thousand pounds for charity by climbing three mountains in less than 24-hours.

Exhausted, but it's job done
featured in the Sutton Coldfield Observer

Mountainous mission completed for charity
featured in the Great Barr Observer

The Guardian (2012)

Company: The Guardian, Kingsway London

Editors: Jeevan Vasagar (Education), Mark Oliver (Assistant News Editor)

April, May 2012 – One week placement

The Manchester Guardian's initial sign

The Guardian's Headquarters near Kings Cross St Pancras

 

The majority of my work for the Guardian was behind the article in a role similar to a researcher.

Chelsea Fringe Flower Show

·      Covering the underground sister of the Chelsea Flower show

·      Interviewing key horticulturists in the guerrilla gardening movement

·      Attending the press conference and fashioning a concise piece with recommendations of where to visit

Don't let the grass grow beneath your feet
Click to read full review

Brief review of the Chelsea Fringe Festival
Click here to read on the Guardian
Click here to read full piece

Chelsea Fringe featuring work
from the Guerrilla Gardener

Activism in public spaces

·      Contacting endless amounts of privately owned location that could be accessed by the public

·      If yes, finding out the rules of the site and what types of campaigning was permitted – i.e. camping, marches, leaflet distribution amongst others

·      The compiled information was then added to a map detailing the activism approving sites.

Research work for the Guardian's Map of privately owned,
publicly accessible locations
Read more at http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jun/11/privately-owned-public-space-map

More can be found at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/DataSource?docid=1lrNKscwda7NNc9rrq_Si9dhBqZAbv1Cv2Bx-o7shttps://www.google.com/fusiontables/DataSource?docid=1lrNKscwda7NNc9rrq_Si9dhBqZAbv1Cv2Bx-o7s

1952 – 2012: Sixty years on from the Queen’s coronation what’s changed?

·      Top headlines from 1952 and 2012

·      Analysing mentally challenging legislation from the last century to translate into readable information. Specifically concerning who was included on the Civil List and how much they were entitled to across the years.

·      Putting in and pursuing requests to find details about the vehicles both privately owned and part of the royal fleet.

The Bournemouth Rock (2012)

Company: The Bournemouth Rock, Bournemouth

Editors: Vikki Hutton (Features), Oliver Hill (Opinions), Sam Thomson (News)

January 2012 – two-month freelance contributor

Contributing to three of the fortnightly student paper’s four sections.

Features

The idea for my contributions commenced as a biweekly ‘living in the life of…’ section. But due to time-constraints amongst other things it led the intended series only lasting for two entrees.

Yes Man

Imagine a world where you can’t utter the word no. This is the curse of the Yes Man. Joshua Saunders recalls his tales living the yes-lifestyle for a week as he confronts Scientology, nearly strips off in public and witnessed things he’d rather forget…

Initial idea taken from Danny Wallace, writer of Yes Man as a way of picking his life up; I thought it could spice up my own, what an understatement that would turn out to be.

Yes Man: How three letters can change your life
CLICK HERE FOR FULL STORY

Yes Man: How three letters can change your life

Meet the Bournemouth's nude swimmers...

Joshua Saunders bears all to infiltrate Bournemouth’s colony of nude swimmers.

Ever up for a challenge I approached David, founder of the NudeSwim group, asking to write a piece about their uncommon hobby. Openly he agreed, but under the one condition that I’d join in the session and share in the experience.

Baring all with Bournemouth's Nudists. CLICK FOR FULL STORY

Baring all with Bournemouth's Nudists

Opinions

Having always been a man who preffered to entertain rather than astound, my columns tended to be a little less news-orientated and more unconventional as you’ll see below.

The day the ad-man stole your best friend

Bakers Complete brought out the world’s first advert specifically targeted at dogs. Employing high-pitched whistles to draw your canine companion’s attention at key moments could the ad-man have stolen your best buddy?

 

The day the ad man stole you best friend. CLICK FOR FULL STORY

The day the ad man stole you best friend

 

 

 

Frankie Cocozza saint or sinner?

With a nationwide split of besotted fans and enraged hatemongers Joshua Saunders asks how bad is ‘our Frankie’? And is his hedonistic life sexual conquests, drug use and excessive party-going any different from anyone else from his generation?

Frankie Cocozza Saint or Sinner? CLICK FOR FULL PIECE

Frankie Cocozza Saint or Sinner?

 

 

Flatworms could the secrets to human immortality

Scientists believe that they could have discovered qualities of immortality within the humble flat worm. If one is cut into ten sections the sections will regrow into individual worms. But as Ben Parker from Spiderman once stated: “With great power comes great responsibility,” and are we ready for it yet?

Flatworms could give mankind immortality, but are we ready?

Flatworms could give mankind
immortality, but are we ready?

News

This was one of the more challenging sections to write for, eagerly trying to find original stories to directly compete with local rival The Bournemouth Echo. Many of our stories ended up falling through; nonetheless a close friend and myself were appointed Chief Reporters. 

Boscombe in bid for a revitalised high-street

Boscombe in bid for a revitalised high-street

Oyster Card could be set for Bournemouth

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