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May 31, 2007
BOOZERS UNDER THREAT
DO you think the fast oncoming smoking ban could be the final death knell for our local boozers?
Some of the big old traditional pubs have already disappeared and now a campaign is underway to protect the remaining ones in Ealing.
A fascinating feature in Gazette looks at the decline of our local pubs - whether it's due to demographic change or to the introduction of new legislation, it's a compelling read.
I hestitate to roll out the hackneyed cliché 'last orders for our pubs' but that's exactly what could be happening. Let me know what you think.
It's been fast furious this morning, but deadline went relatively smoothly and the paper is packed with strong content. So make sure you don't miss out tomorrow and pick up a copy of the Gazette.
Remember stay local, support your local shops and your local newspaper.
Posted by sazam at 3:09 PM | Comments (1)
May 29, 2007
CHEESE ROLL
ON my way to work this morning I bumped into our Aussie Greenford/Northolt reporter Rebecca Kent.
Not only does she like to sample traditional English customs and rituals, but also like to be in the thick of the action.
Only last Friday, she was up in a helicopter with photographer Zute getting some spectacular views of west London. Pictures will be in the Gazette on Friday.
But when Rebecca told me she was at the annual cheese rolling hill chase in Gloucester, I thought momentarily our daredevil reporter was going a bit crackers (sorry).
However, she assured me she wasn’t one of the competitors – who risked life and limb – by throwing herself down the perilously steep slope after an 8lb cheese.
I’ve recommended a spot of Morris dancing to her – a bit safer.
Today’s been a busy day as we catch up after the Bank Holiday weekend, but up to now all’s going quite steadily.
There are some excellent features already in the bag and some strong news stories are beginning to surface.
Posted by sazam at 5:12 PM | Comments (1)
May 25, 2007
GUNNING ON ALL FRONTS
IT'S been a tough old week - but I'm pleased to say it's finished on a high.
With a series of four front pages, which would rival any other local paper in the south-east, the team has done a top job.
With three reporters, the news editor and sports editor absent for a crucial chunk of the week, it was all hands to the deck.
The reporters were taking their seniors exams in Newcastle, and the news editor and sports editor had booked holidays to watch Liverpool lose in Athens. Never mind.
As well as being back on the newsdesk for most of this week, the other highlight for me this week was my visit to the Park Lane Hilton, for dinner on Wednesday night.
I was very kindly invited by the BBC Asian Network, to join their table at the annual Asian Women's Achievement Awards.
It certainly was a glittering affair - with the likes of Liz Hurley and her new husband only a table away. She obviously attracted a lot of attention looking resplendent in her sari. Cherie Booth, QC (that's the PM's wife) was also there in her role as the patron of the charity.
Top politicians like Tessa Jowell , Theresa May, as well as familiar TV news presenters like Katie Dereham, Mischal Hussein and Fiona Bruce were all present donning some fantastic Asian outfits. As Katie Dereham said: "It's a chance to lose the pin-stripes and the jackets, and put on the colour and sequins."
But really the evening was about people like Perminder Dhillon, who was shortlisted for an award. She is the boss of an anti-drugs and alcohol project based in Southall. So congratulations to her for the recognition she received for her incredible work with the community.
Posted by sazam at 1:01 PM | Comments (0)
May 21, 2007
EXAMS
We’ve almost got a totally different reporting team today, as three of our five reporters have gone to Newcastle, to sit their senior exams.
Inspite of the lack of our regular reporters, everything seems to be on an even keel, as we start to negotiate the difficult week ahead.
I’m just hoping today is not the calm before the storm, and we can maintain this steady start over the next three days.
Exams as we all know, can certainly be a fraught time, so I’d just like to take this opportunity to wish Michael, Lucy and Natasha all the best. They’ve certainly worked hard over the last 18 months and deserve success.
Their preparations certainly brought back memories of the day I sat my NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) exam. Everything was going well until I hit a technical problem with my computer keyboard.
I was trying not to disturb the others, but as the panic set in and the frustration grew with the dodgy two keys (they kept sticking) on the keyboard, I was on the brink of smashing it. However the day was saved when my guardian angel, a very calm and kind lady, who quickly spotted the problem and replaced the keyboard.
So it’s not always the exam questions but other factors which can sabotage your best efforts. Fortunately, I managed to survive my ordeal, and was delighted when I was one of the fortunate 40 per cent, whose name appeared in the Press Gazette indicating I had passed.
Posted by sazam at 3:15 PM | Comments (2)
May 18, 2007
FAREWELL TO ASHA
In today's Gazette we tell the poignant story of Asha Nyanga, who died last week aged just 21 - Asha who could not speak, touched the hearts of our readers in 1996, and £7,000 was raised for a voice box.
She was just 14-year-old, and had recently arrived from Tanzania, the voice box was fitted with a permanent tracheotomy, which made an artificial opening in her windpipe giving her the power to communicate.
However, after the early promise, Asha was not only beset with medical problems centering around the voice box, but there was also difficulty in finding her suitable accommodation.
Those caring for her, said the delays occurred because they wanted to be sure she was given the absolute right care package, but others said she was allowed to 'slip through the net' .
Whatever the truth, the tragic end to Asha's life has certainly touched a lot of people, including the staff at this office.
There was some money from the original appeal. Some of it will be go towards funeral cost and the rest of it will be donated to buying a vital piece of equipment for Ealing Hospital. The hospital will be holding a memorial service to celebrate Asha' life after her funeral on Tuesday at Greenford Park Cemetery.
Posted by sazam at 1:14 PM | Comments (0)
May 9, 2007
REMAINING CHEERFUL
Okay, I've just about recovered now.
Recovered, from the stark reality that my favourite football team, Charlton Athletic, will no longer be playing Premiership football next year.
It's a painful and bitter pill to swallow - after seven-years in the top flight the mighty Addicks now face the tough task of trying to bounce straight back next year. It'll certainly be tough.
Anyway, when I need cheering up I usually go to one of my favourite comedians - this time I turned to comic genius Tommy Cooper.
Here's a few one liners to raise a chuckle:
Went to the paper shop - it had blown away
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I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.
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I bought some HP sauce the other day. It's costing me 6p a month for the next 2 years.
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Last night I dreamed I ate a ten-pound marshmallow, and when I woke up the pillow was gone.
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Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was drinking battery acid, the other was eating fireworks. They charged one and let the other one off.
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A woman told her doctor, 'I've got a bad back.' The doctor said, 'It's old age.' The woman said, 'I want a second opinion. 'The doctor says, 'OK. you're ugly as well.'
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'You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen, it said 'Parking Fine.' So that was nice.'
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A man walked into the doctor's, The doctor said 'I haven't seen you in a long time'
The man replied, 'I know I've been ill'
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A man walked into the doctor's, he said ' I've hurt my arm in several places'
The doctor said 'well don't go there any more'
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I'm on a whiskey diet. I've lost three days already.
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Went to the corner shop - bought 4 corners
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'So I got home, and the phone was ringing. I picked it up, and said 'Who's speaking please?'
And a voice said, 'You are.'
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'So I rang up my local swimming baths. I said ' Is that the local swimming baths?' He said ' It depends where you're calling from.'
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'I went to the doctors the other day and I said, 'have you got anything for wind' ,
so he gave me a kite.'
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I went to the Doctors the other day, and he said, 'Go to Bournemouth, it's great for ' flu.
So I went, and I got it.'
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I was in the attic the other day with the wife. Damp and dusty.........but she's great with the kids!
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'So I rang up a local building firm, I said 'I want a skip outside my house.' He said 'I'm not stopping you.'
Posted by sazam at 12:23 PM | Comments (6)
May 2, 2007
SMOKING BAN
SIX –years ago after a rather wild New Year’s Eve Party, I decided to give up smoking – just like that.
Since then I’ve not touched a cigarette – although at times severly tempted.
Now, I’m not saying that I will never revert – but so far so good.
It has been tough at times – but at such points I think about my late father who ‘smoked himself to death’ at a relatively young age - leaving behind a young family.
Now I’m not one to preach, and the reason why I mention all this, is because soon the smoking ban in England, is about to come into force (July 1).
And for many smokers, it will mean reassessing whether they want to continue with the habit or attempt to give up.
It will also mean a massive change in the lifestyle of the smoker – as well as their employers and other people around them.
So in this week’s Gazette we’re going to open up a debate on the smoking ban and we hope to get you views – good and bad.
I’ve been news editing for the last two days as our news editor, a fanatical Liverpool supporter, has been enjoying his team’s momentous victory against Chelsea.
No doubt he’ll be asking for more time off, as he prepares to go to Athens, to watch his team in the European Cup Final. I wanted Chelsea to win.
Anyway better get back to the news editing – or the subs’ will be getting upset.
Posted by sazam at 2:28 PM | Comments (0)