With Glenn enjoying a post-10k run holiday, it falls to me to keep the blog ticking over so I thought I'd tackle a classic newspaper problem.
Whenever journalists meet senior police officers, the term "fear of crime" is sure to come up at least every ten seconds.
The police worry that we (the media) convince people danger is around every corner and no-one is safe. While many people may feel like this, it is a very difficult thing for us to get right. "Teenager not stabbed" seems an unlikely headline for any publication.
A town as big as Crawley will almost certainly have at least one newsworthy crime each week so you could easily form the view crime is out of control.
I can't honesty say whether this is the reality in rough parts of London, although the national press is keen on teenage knife crime at present.
However, as keen readers will have noticed, we reported this week that knife crime is down in Crawley, regardless of what is going on elsewhere. In fact, there have been no fatal stabbings, or indeed murders of any kind, since I joined the News a year ago.
All we can do is report what goes on and hope people are sensible enough not to get carried away.
And in case you were wondering, our fearless leader didn't go to the Spurs game but he will get plenty of stick when he gets back. I look forward to his excuses...
Friday 25 July 2008
Tuesday 22 July 2008
Off to the beach
One more deadline day to go, then I'm off on my travels for a fortnight.
I love my job but I can't deny the prospect of a holiday fills me full of joy, rather than sadness.
However, I still have one last dilemma. The mighty Spurs are coming down to the Broadfield tonight to give Crawley Town a footballing lesson.
An enticing prospect - except that I have to get up at 4am tomorrow morning to catch a flight to Cyprus.
Tottenham Hotspur or sleep? Some would say the former induces the latter....
This week hasn't been the busiest ever, a slow news week in newspaper parlance, but the troops have come through with a decent paper.
Keep an eye on the website for all the breaking news. Meanwhile, I'll leave this blog in the safe hands of my fellow Crawley News team members for the next two weeks.
Adios.
I love my job but I can't deny the prospect of a holiday fills me full of joy, rather than sadness.
However, I still have one last dilemma. The mighty Spurs are coming down to the Broadfield tonight to give Crawley Town a footballing lesson.
An enticing prospect - except that I have to get up at 4am tomorrow morning to catch a flight to Cyprus.
Tottenham Hotspur or sleep? Some would say the former induces the latter....
This week hasn't been the busiest ever, a slow news week in newspaper parlance, but the troops have come through with a decent paper.
Keep an eye on the website for all the breaking news. Meanwhile, I'll leave this blog in the safe hands of my fellow Crawley News team members for the next two weeks.
Adios.
Wednesday 16 July 2008
The Mail myth
For a year or so now, the Crawley News has been owned by parent company Northcliffe Media.
Northcliffe own, among other titles, The Daily Mail, which is famed for its right of centre, hard-line on the big issues.
A few correspondents in my mailbox have seized on this link, 'detecting the hand of the Mail' in how we choose to pursue and report certain stories.
Time to explode a myth I'm afraid. In the past year I can quite confidently state I have not had a single conversation or correspondence with anyone from the Daily Mail.
The editorial policy of the Crawley News is solely determined here. Ultimately, we decide how to report on our stories.
I'd love to say the good people at the Daily Mail take a keen interest in the affairs of Crawley, but I'm afraid I would be lying.
Great conspiracy theory though.
Northcliffe own, among other titles, The Daily Mail, which is famed for its right of centre, hard-line on the big issues.
A few correspondents in my mailbox have seized on this link, 'detecting the hand of the Mail' in how we choose to pursue and report certain stories.
Time to explode a myth I'm afraid. In the past year I can quite confidently state I have not had a single conversation or correspondence with anyone from the Daily Mail.
The editorial policy of the Crawley News is solely determined here. Ultimately, we decide how to report on our stories.
I'd love to say the good people at the Daily Mail take a keen interest in the affairs of Crawley, but I'm afraid I would be lying.
Great conspiracy theory though.
Miss Crawley
Regular visitors to this site will no doubt be enjoying our Miss Crawley competition.
Well, the men will be anyway.
All good fun and, I think it’s fair to say, we have our fair share of attractive women in this town if the pictures online are anything to go by.
Please carry on sending your pictures by email to editor@crawleynews.co.uk You can see the latest pictures by clicking on the Miss Crawley link on the homepage.
By the way ladies don’t fret – Mr Crawley is on its way soon.
Well, the men will be anyway.
All good fun and, I think it’s fair to say, we have our fair share of attractive women in this town if the pictures online are anything to go by.
Please carry on sending your pictures by email to editor@crawleynews.co.uk You can see the latest pictures by clicking on the Miss Crawley link on the homepage.
By the way ladies don’t fret – Mr Crawley is on its way soon.
Monday 14 July 2008
I survived!
Today I'm not just the content editor of the Crawley News - I'm also the town's 414th best distance runner.
Well, sort of anyway.
This was my position in yesterday's St Catherine's 10k run.
Not that impressive considering just over 600 people took part but still, I was happy to finish with my pride, if not my body, intact.
Special mention should go to the News' very own action man Sam Munnery, who finished in 14th place - a full 400 positions in front of me.
Reporter Michael Connellan achieved an altogether different sort of 'distinction' on the day but I'll preserve his modesty on this public forum.
All in all, a great day, super atmosphere and hopefully, lots of money raised for St Catherine's.
Keep an eye on this website today for plenty of pictures and news from the event.
Well, sort of anyway.
This was my position in yesterday's St Catherine's 10k run.
Not that impressive considering just over 600 people took part but still, I was happy to finish with my pride, if not my body, intact.
Special mention should go to the News' very own action man Sam Munnery, who finished in 14th place - a full 400 positions in front of me.
Reporter Michael Connellan achieved an altogether different sort of 'distinction' on the day but I'll preserve his modesty on this public forum.
All in all, a great day, super atmosphere and hopefully, lots of money raised for St Catherine's.
Keep an eye on this website today for plenty of pictures and news from the event.
Friday 11 July 2008
History Lesson
Eagle-eyed readers will have spotted a clanger on page 15 of our paper this week.
"A "warm-hearted" centurion known for her love of Guinness has passed away, just weeks after her 100th birthday."
A centurion, I'm sure 99 per cent of the population know, is a Roman soldier. Unfortunately, your dim local newspaper editor here was in the one per cent who didn't know this.
Apologies to all concerned, but I have to hold my hands up on this one.
I'm off on another training course now, before getting myself prepared for Sunday's 10k run.
The next time I submit a blog here, my limbs will be aching quite a bit more than they do at the moment.
"A "warm-hearted" centurion known for her love of Guinness has passed away, just weeks after her 100th birthday."
A centurion, I'm sure 99 per cent of the population know, is a Roman soldier. Unfortunately, your dim local newspaper editor here was in the one per cent who didn't know this.
Apologies to all concerned, but I have to hold my hands up on this one.
I'm off on another training course now, before getting myself prepared for Sunday's 10k run.
The next time I submit a blog here, my limbs will be aching quite a bit more than they do at the moment.
Wednesday 9 July 2008
Legal Eagle
Another day, another course.
Media Law was the subject today, one which I find fascinating but scary in equal measure.
Doing this job day to day it's easy to forget the tightrope we walk with every story that goes into print. One slip can inadvertently damage the reputation of the person involved in the story, the standing of the paper and, ultimately, put a pretty huge dent in the bank balance.
Newspapers and other media outlets have a duty to their readers to be fair and accurate in their reporting.
Believe me, any failure to do that comes with a very high price.
A day in Tunbridge Wells meant no time for running. Just four days to go until the Crawley 10k run and to say I feel confident, well, would be a lie really. At least the weather forecast looks ok.
Finally, a moment of light relief on an otherwise stressful deadline day yesterday. For whatever reason, people seem to have problems with grasping the name of our reporter Sian Hewitt.
Some say 'Si Ann', most just settle for 'Shaun', seemingly obliviously that poor Sian isn't actually a bloke.
Yesterday, however, someone on the subs desk went a stage further and managed to add an extra letter to Sian's name.
Henceforth, she will now be known as 'Asian Hewitt'.
Media Law was the subject today, one which I find fascinating but scary in equal measure.
Doing this job day to day it's easy to forget the tightrope we walk with every story that goes into print. One slip can inadvertently damage the reputation of the person involved in the story, the standing of the paper and, ultimately, put a pretty huge dent in the bank balance.
Newspapers and other media outlets have a duty to their readers to be fair and accurate in their reporting.
Believe me, any failure to do that comes with a very high price.
A day in Tunbridge Wells meant no time for running. Just four days to go until the Crawley 10k run and to say I feel confident, well, would be a lie really. At least the weather forecast looks ok.
Finally, a moment of light relief on an otherwise stressful deadline day yesterday. For whatever reason, people seem to have problems with grasping the name of our reporter Sian Hewitt.
Some say 'Si Ann', most just settle for 'Shaun', seemingly obliviously that poor Sian isn't actually a bloke.
Yesterday, however, someone on the subs desk went a stage further and managed to add an extra letter to Sian's name.
Henceforth, she will now be known as 'Asian Hewitt'.
Monday 7 July 2008
Holy Cow
A character called Billa, who is, apparently, a cow with red lipstick, has left this tribute on the Maidenbower residents' site:
"You need to be a bit thick to take the Crawley News seriously. You can tell when you read the editorial that he holds himself in high esteem. "
Well, I am the greatest editor on planet Earth after all. Thanks Billa.
"You need to be a bit thick to take the Crawley News seriously. You can tell when you read the editorial that he holds himself in high esteem. "
Well, I am the greatest editor on planet Earth after all. Thanks Billa.
Parking blues
Until Friday, I'd only ever received one parking ticket in my life.
Now, I've had three.
Firstly it's worth saying that neither of these incidents happened in Crawley. So our men in the yellow coats are in the clear.
One on Friday which, admittedly, was my fault. I got caught up in a meeting at our Croydon office and ended up back at my car 40 mins late. Fair cop guv.
Yesterday, I got another lovely yellow sticker on my windscreen, but the circumstances here were rather different.
After a much-needed last minute training run before next week's big fundraiser (see previous posts), I emerged from the gym a full six minutes late, only to see the sticker being slapped on my car.
Yes I was late but: 1. Only by a few minutes, 2. The car park was half-empty at the time, so I was hardly taking up a valuable space, and 3. Why should I have to pay 70p to park on a Sunday in the first bloody place?
At this point, I lost my rag and swore loudly at the traffic warden for a good couple of minutes. Not to be condoned, I admit, but it made me feel better anyway.
I just hope he took my career advice on board after our brief encounter.
Now, I've had three.
Firstly it's worth saying that neither of these incidents happened in Crawley. So our men in the yellow coats are in the clear.
One on Friday which, admittedly, was my fault. I got caught up in a meeting at our Croydon office and ended up back at my car 40 mins late. Fair cop guv.
Yesterday, I got another lovely yellow sticker on my windscreen, but the circumstances here were rather different.
After a much-needed last minute training run before next week's big fundraiser (see previous posts), I emerged from the gym a full six minutes late, only to see the sticker being slapped on my car.
Yes I was late but: 1. Only by a few minutes, 2. The car park was half-empty at the time, so I was hardly taking up a valuable space, and 3. Why should I have to pay 70p to park on a Sunday in the first bloody place?
At this point, I lost my rag and swore loudly at the traffic warden for a good couple of minutes. Not to be condoned, I admit, but it made me feel better anyway.
I just hope he took my career advice on board after our brief encounter.
Thursday 3 July 2008
Running scared
It seemed like such a good idea at the time.
At the turn of the year, I committed myself to taking part in the Crawley 10k run in aid of the brilliant St Catherine's Hospice.
I'm no runner but it would get me fit, it was for a great cause and, of course, my Crawley News comrades would be running with me every step of the way.
Or not.
One by one, they've all been dropping like flies - some are on holiday, others preferring to enter the 3k fun run instead (fun runs are for girls, I say)
Now, thanks to reporter Alex Morrison's gammy leg, it looks like I could be on my tod come July 13.
Even worse, there have been some ridiculous suggestions floating around the office that I should wear some sort of funny wig or fancy dress, as if I won't look enough of a clown trying to run already.
As it stands I'm panting my way through 6 and 7k runs but 10k?
For the sake of those kind enough to sponsor me, I really hope so.
At the turn of the year, I committed myself to taking part in the Crawley 10k run in aid of the brilliant St Catherine's Hospice.
I'm no runner but it would get me fit, it was for a great cause and, of course, my Crawley News comrades would be running with me every step of the way.
Or not.
One by one, they've all been dropping like flies - some are on holiday, others preferring to enter the 3k fun run instead (fun runs are for girls, I say)
Now, thanks to reporter Alex Morrison's gammy leg, it looks like I could be on my tod come July 13.
Even worse, there have been some ridiculous suggestions floating around the office that I should wear some sort of funny wig or fancy dress, as if I won't look enough of a clown trying to run already.
As it stands I'm panting my way through 6 and 7k runs but 10k?
For the sake of those kind enough to sponsor me, I really hope so.
Tuesday 1 July 2008
Labouring the point
For a couple of weeks now we've had a poll up on the site asking the simple question - if there was a General Election tomorrow, which party would you vote for?
Hardly Mori or Gallup standard admittedly, but it has produced an intruiging result, with the under-fire Labour party coming out on top.
Very much against the national trend this, which could mean one of four things:
1. Crawley voters are out of tune with the national media perception that Gordon Brown is doing a bad job
2. People in our town are very happy with current MP Laura Moffatt
3. Red Rose supporters have sabotaged our poll and made sure their party comes out on top
4. More socialists use the internet
Hardly Mori or Gallup standard admittedly, but it has produced an intruiging result, with the under-fire Labour party coming out on top.
Very much against the national trend this, which could mean one of four things:
1. Crawley voters are out of tune with the national media perception that Gordon Brown is doing a bad job
2. People in our town are very happy with current MP Laura Moffatt
3. Red Rose supporters have sabotaged our poll and made sure their party comes out on top
4. More socialists use the internet
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