January 2007 Archives

LOADS of ideas surfaced at our news meeting this morning.
That’s always satisfying because you know the team is firing at all cylinders.
There’ll definitely be see some new features and columns appearing soon.

Friday’s always an interesting day, because you get feedback very quickly, both good and bad. Staff and readers are very quick to let you know what’s worked or what’s bombed in the Gazette. But I welcome that, because it would be terribe if there was no response at all.

I think we had a good series of papers, there were strong stories on the fronts of our four editions. Our features have also gone down well, particularly the one on RAF Northolt. Our sister paper, the Uxbridge Gazette will also be carrying it next week.

Our chief reporter has just handed me a very entertaining news list for next week; He’s called it the list of love for February 2.
And given each area the following sub headings; ‘Ealing and Acton stories to make your toes curl’, ‘Becky’s Greenford tales of derring do…’, Natasha’s Southall tall tales of woe…’ Michael’s Hammersmith and Fulham battles against the odds…’ Who says work can't be fun.

Anyway the weekend is just round the corner, so have a good one.

I think they’ve all abandoned me.
Just looking out from my office, I can only see one other person.
Fair enough, deadline’s just been completed, and the team’s having a well deserved breather.

It certainly was a fast and furious morning, with four front pages to complete and a number of inside pages. But we made it.

There were a number of excellent stories including swans being nabbed in Southall, obviously for someone’s Sunday roast. But it's certainly not a matter to be taken lightly, police are investigating.

I’m sure the sub-editors will do justice to all the stories. Talking about sub-editors, Ruudboy has been on, still insisting ‘sub-editor’ should be one word.
I’ve consulted our oracle, the production editor, and I’m afraid Ruudboy, he disagrees with you.
He says it should be two words or hyphenated. The Concise Oxford Dictionary (ninth edition) also hyphenates the word sub-editor.

The sports editor has also felt the wrath of Ruudboy, who is questioning his story about Neil Shipperley’s signing for Brentford. But again Ruudboy, Yarn Tear (as you put it and not Yann Tear - very amusing) insists you’ve not read the story properly.

Sorry Ruudboy.

Monkey has also been on, and apologised for not submitting any comments yesterday. He said he was involved in some Monkey Business…hmmmn.

TRAFFIC gridlock on the A40 has had a knock-on-effect on just about everything today.

Staff had all sorts of problems getting in this morning, our community reporter Jane Harrison had to sit in her car for two-and –half hours near the Greenford roundabout.

Appointments had to be rearranged, some even cancelled as we tried to get to grips with sorting out the diary for the day.

This time it was all down to a milkfloat being upended in a shunt.

Frustrated motorists questioned the need to close the whole section of the carriageway, and whether this decision actually made matters worse. It was not much better on public transport as commuters using crowded trains and buses felt the cumulative effect of the problems on the A40.

Anyway we’re back on course now, but do let us know about the problems you had this morning.

Should we be expected to pay the full price of a train ticket, if there’s no chance of getting a seat? The answer has to be a big fat NO.

And that’s exactly what commuters were doing today, to highlight the scandalous service offered by First Great Western in Bristol and Bath.

They were refusing to hand over their real train tickets, instead they handed over mock ‘protest’ tickets.

The lack of carriages and seats is not just confined to the West Country, it’s a national problem, or should I say a national disgrace.

We know the acute problems existing at Ealing Broadway - yet there seems to be no real recompense for commuters. They cannot be just ignored.

Will it take another disaster to highlight the problem of crammed trains? Action must be taken quickly to pull the train companies into line.

And there should also be a way of reimbursing commuters who have to stand all the way to their destination. What do you think?

It’s been a stormy affair – the morning’s news meeting, that is.
Targetting and prioritising our resources more effectively has meant a painful mini reorganisation. Needless to say, not everyone agreed … but hopefully the changes will mean an even better newspaper/website.
The news list taken after the meeting, already looks very promising with a couple of really cracking stories and features.

Hopefully, you have now seen the launch of our annual community campaign today, Pride In Our People, and will be sending in those nominations. Remember, it can be anyone who you feel is deserving of recognition within the community.

It’s been a busy news day with the death of an Acton man in police custody at Notting Hill, and also the backlash from Celebrity Big Brother has hit our area.
A group of women staged a demo outside Southhall town hall protesting against the treatment of Bollywood actress Shilpa before tonight’s big phone vote.

Off course, Monkey has a view on the whole proceedings - see the comment to the previous blog entitled Celebrity Big Brother.
Have a good weekend.

THIS morning the office was buzzing with chat about the antics going on in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

But so far all have denied watching the Channel 4 reality show, lambasted for allowing Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty to be racially bullied.

I suppose it’s just not street cred, to admit watching the programme – although it has been on the front pages of most national newspapers, and also on TV and radio news. Up to 20,000 viewers' complaints have been registered and even an MP has even raised it in the House of Commons.

I’m certainly not ignoring it and think Shilpa’s treatment has been abhorrent, but do let me know what you think.

Perhaps all of the Celebrity Big Brother contestants should come to Ealing, after the fuss has died down. They could certainly learn a lesson in harmony from our diverse communities.

Oh, thank-you to Ruudboy for pointing out sub-editors is spelt subeditors and not sub editors. It’s question of a hyphen. Anyway, I think we both got it wrong. But I’m glad you’re enjoying the paper. Always ready to be corrected.

Also thanks to Monkey for pointing out the special Kate Moss link in the Metro. Yeah, your comment about the tram and how it could apply to a monkey was also funny.

THE local high street has been the focus of much debate.

With the big out-of-town shopping centres taking away business from our high streets, the threat is ongoing.

In Ealing, our shops are generally thriving and the announcement of plans for a new Tesco in Ealing Broadway, has given the centre a further boost.

But in neighbouring areas like Greenford, Acton and Southall, there has been a notable decline with many of the large stores disappearing.

So it’s heartening to hear planners are now trying to address these problems and come up with new strategies to breathe life back into these centres.

In Southall, traffic and parking restrictions were singled out as the big obstacles for would-be shoppers.
However, a concerted effort by traders and the council has helped to ease these problems.

Greenford Broadway, which has a rich but forgotten art deco heritage is now the focus for improvements and a consultant is now busy working out ideas.

Acton has already seen the completion of some improvements to the town square.

Neverthless, there is no room for complacency and a tremendous amount of work still needs to be done to make sure the smaller centres are sustained.

We at the Gazette, will be monitoring robustly the progress of our town centres and supporting our local shops. We hope you will too.

OUR local heroes campaign, Pride in our People is all set to be launched in next week’s Gazette. It’s an opportunity to recognise the unsung heroes within our communities for their incredible and selfless work.

Last year, actress Amanda Redman handed out the prizes, and we heard some amazing stories about the work of the worthy recipients.

The campaign, jointly run with Thames Valley University, has been widened to include the Hammersmith and Shepherd Bush communities.

So look out for the categories, and how to nominate in next Friday’s Gazette and on our website.

We’re also planning another campaign, which will be revealed soon. So watch this space.

Oh, if you’re wandering what’s happened to The Monkey – he’s been in touch – but his comments about Kate Moss were not suitable for publication.

THE Gazette is a must buy.
It’s packed with top exclusives, fantastic holiday offers and hundred of jobs. On top of that there are action packed sport and leisure sections.

We’ve got the full reaction to the arrival of Tesco.
London Ambulances’ shock decision after one of its vehicles was involved in the toddler tragedy at an Ealing playgroup.
And look out for our new Polish column I’ve decided to launch..

I’ve been news editing this week, so I do apologise for the lack of blogs – my apologies go particularly to The Monkey who’s kindly sent me a couple of more comments to an earlier blog, Dead Ringers.

Monkey, I’ve not been fired and I’m certainly not sunning myself as you suggest in your comments. But you’re absolutely right Pete Doherty and the lovely lass from Croydon are in Thailand. Perhaps the blog entitled Dead Ringers might have given you a clue to the story about Pete Doherty in tomorrow’s Gazette.

But you’re right to keep me on my toes. Look forward to hearing from you soon, whoever you really are.

IT seems I’ve acquired a new friend, The Monkey.

He’s kindly sent me a couple of comments to my blogs over the weekend.

The Monkey was outraged at the recent price increase –and suggested that I should work for free and reverse the price rise. Yeah, right!

Also The Monkey thinks I’ve enjoyed the Gaelic sun too much thus accounting for my tan. All I can say is that it’s from Woolworths.

But thanks Monkey – I look forward to your next comment.

We’ve had a busy day at the Gazette today. One of the highlights was a call saying troubled rock star Peter Doherty was outside an Ealing music studio.

So I despatached a photographer and reporter to the studio to find Mr Doherty.
It turned out to be John Calshaw filming for BBC Comedy Dead Ringers.

Even better.

See Friday’s Gazette for full story and pictures.