August 2007 Archives

An unusually large spider with a red belly was causing a bit of a stir in the office this morning.

The photographer even took a picture of it, after it was alleged to be a tarantula that had smuggled itself into our west Ealing office, after hiding in a consignment of bananas from deep south America.

Anyway, all seems to have quietened down now after the initial mirth, and the spider has scuttled off through the back door, no doubt to explore the wonders of the area.

The flurry of jokes surrounding our eight-legged visitor was a welcome break, as so far it has been a difficult week after the office was struck by a bout of sickness. The news editor was off for a day, our office manager has been off for three days and the Greenford and Northolt reporter was off for two days.

Inspite of this handicap, the paper is shaping up strongly with a real interesting mix of excellent features and quality news stories. I know I often say that, but the comments are totally justified this week so look out for the paper on Friday.

Oh, those who commented on the wildness of my hair – I can let you know it’s been trimmed since the photo was taken.

Back in the office today after a week of travelling around west London.

Started off in Harrow on Monday, Ealing on Tuesday, Uxbridge on Wednesday and Thursday and back in Ealing on Friday.

Reason for the travel was to help the other editors out with either recruiting or subbing due to holiday shortages.

It was interesting see how other newsrooms across the group work - I must say Ealing makes the most noise. Not sure whether that's good or bad.

Anyway today we're dissecting the paper - lots of differing views about the paper as always. Overall I think it's a strong paper with a good mix of both hard and community news.

Also there is a full guide to this weekend's Gunnersbury Park mela. It's the biggest one in the country and promises to be packed with some excellent entertainment.

Hope you enjoy it.

This morning I made my way to Harrow, to sit in on an interview.

Somehow I managed to avoid the traffic gridlock on the A40, after the terrible crash this morning near Greenford.

Colleague Lindsay Coulson, the editor of our sister paper Harrow Observer, was interviewing for a news editor.

It’s always interesting listening to applicants - how they would prioritise the news agenda, introduce new ideas and get the newsroom running more efficiently.

You can often pick out some good ideas for your own newsroom from such interviews.

On my return to Ealing, about mid-morning, the news meeting had taken place and the news list looked fairly healthy.

The aftermath of the tram decision by Mayor Ken figured prominently. Many organisations and individual wanted to react to Mayor Ken’s decision and I know we’ve already had quite a few letters/ e mails.

However, I was told the plan for the tram had been shelved as opposed to being scrapped. Tram reporter Lucy Proctor was adamant about that – shelved not scrapped. Is that clear, all you other media outlets!

Reports of white sharks, monkeys and whales on the loose usually signals the news 'silly season' is well and truly underway .

But in Ealing this week, it's been anything but the 'silly season'.

We've had the announcement of the planned closure of major store Beales, London mayor Ken saying the tram plan is to be put on hold, fury over town centre parking arrangements, the rise in cost of refurbishing central library, more shootings and beatings in Hanwell. Who said summer is quiet for news?

There's also plenty of summer fun to be had - particularly next weekend when the largest mela in the country takes place in Gunnersbury Park. It promises to be fun. We'll be having a comprehensive guide to the mela in next Friday's paper.

Anyway I'm off to Greenwich this evening for a birthday celebration and hopefully enjoy some al fresco food and entertainment in the late evening sunshine - yes sunshine!

Have a good weekend.