Question One
A federation in Yeltham is teaming up with local Crime Prevention Panel to tackle fear of crime and anti-social behaviour.
Yeltham Neighbourhood Watch Federation has undertaken a survey in conjunction with the Panel, and they find out the impact of fear of crime on people's lives is as great as the crime itself.
It reveals no fewer than 62 per cent of people aged 70 said they were too frightened to go out alone after dark because of the fear of being attacked and robbed.
The Federation chairman Rob Littler said: “It is very sad they sould feel this way.
“They were not referring to night-time trips into the town centre – they were talking about going out in the dark in their own communities.”
Jeffrey Steele, chairman of Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel, said: “The servey highlighted the fears of some of our widely varying comunities and has allowed us to identify one particular problem where we believe we can help.”
Other findings show under 68 per cent of respondents said they were worried about their cars being broken into, while 72 per cent said they were afraid of being burgled.
Vandalism has relatively little impact in part of town, but 57 per cent in some estates said they were worried about noisy youngsters hanging about on street corners after dark and creating problem.
Both organisations have decided to purchase 1,000 door safety chains, which will help pensioners to reduce the fear of answering door to strangers for fear of being robbed or conned.
Gerald Parkins, chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said: “Pensioners are very fearful and there are two members of our committee who are skilled workmen and would be willing to provide their time free of charge to fit door chains.”
Chief Inspector Antony Wardell of Yeltham Police said: “Fear of crime is also an important issue because this can impact equally on people's live."
(325 words)
Question Two:
A pensioner has been robbed at 8:45am at his doorstep in Beck Road, Ilworth by three men pretended as gardenders.
The 84-year-old widower has been kept talking by two men while the third entered the house by the unlocked back door.
He stole a wallet, containing £55 notes and loose change, on the kitchen table.
The two at the front door were in their 30s, rough appearnace with fair-haired and local accents.
Anyone with information contact us on 412311.
(80 words)
Question Three
A number of dead fish has been found in the smallest pond at Yeltham Park this morning.
The loss might be natural causes, could be pollution or vandalism
The remaining fish will be kept in quarantine until the reason been found.
Anyone with information contact environmental health department on 375222.
(50 words)
Question Four
(a)
The manager of the GP:
How does the axed bus service affect the GP's practice?
When did the axed bus service start to serve the local community?
What is the percentage of patients who are late for appointments?
What has the surgery done so far since the incident happened?
Do you know why the bus company made such a decision?
Which part of the day do most people arrive late?
Representative of the local residents association:
How does the axed bus service affect local resients' appointments with their GPs?
What is the local people's attitude towards the bus company's decision?
What has the residents association done towards the axed bus service?
Are there any alternative routes that people can use to get to their GPs?
How long do the residents have to wait for the No 126 bus to arrive?
No 126 bus company manager:
Why did your company decide to axe the no 126 service?
Is there any other alternative way to solve the problem?
Has your company considered the problems it might cause to local residents?
Does your company propose any new plan to tackle the problem?
How long will the axed service last?
Saturday 19 February 2011
Thursday 3 February 2011
My days at The Independent on Sunday
I've been at The Independent on Sunday newsroom for two-week-and-three-day, and I've enjoyed my stay so far.
The paper is at the same building as the Daily Mail group, at Northcliff House. The building's just around the corner of High Street Kensington tube station.
My internship is mainly research based, and I've been researching for different stories, such as NHS healthcare reform, the UK agriculture, coalition government leaders' wealthy friends etc.
Last week, the paper's foreign news-desk editor asked me to write a piece about what the life was like when growing up in China during the one-child-policy years.
He wanted something original and personal, and can be compared to local teenages' life here.
Since the paper is a sunday paper, reporters usually work from Tuesday to Saturday, and they've got Monday off. People there are generally lovely and helpful, and it's a great team to work with.
The paper is at the same building as the Daily Mail group, at Northcliff House. The building's just around the corner of High Street Kensington tube station.
My internship is mainly research based, and I've been researching for different stories, such as NHS healthcare reform, the UK agriculture, coalition government leaders' wealthy friends etc.
Last week, the paper's foreign news-desk editor asked me to write a piece about what the life was like when growing up in China during the one-child-policy years.
He wanted something original and personal, and can be compared to local teenages' life here.
Since the paper is a sunday paper, reporters usually work from Tuesday to Saturday, and they've got Monday off. People there are generally lovely and helpful, and it's a great team to work with.
Sunday 16 January 2011
Small business hit hard due to the credit crunch
One of the hardest hit interior stores in Beeton is to close today due to the present economic downturn.
While Tindall Shopfitters Ltd has just been shortlisted for a national award as Retail Interiors' Store-fit Company of the Year, the firm's 22 staff are facing job cuts, according to the managing director Jameson Tindall.
Philip Platts, 57, metalworker and staff representative at the company said there were people weeping when they heard what was happening. “Some of us are of an age where we're unlikely to find new jobs, but that wasn't what we were crying about,” Said Philip.
“We were crying because this is the end of an era. Those who created the country's economic crisis have a lot to answer for,” He added.
In order to help staff find new employers, the family-run business in Gresley Street not only have held consultations with staff representatives, but also has been talking to the town's Chamber of Commerce.
Chief executive officer of Beeton Chamber of Commerce Harold Livesey said: “The economic maelstrom has led to a clutch of firms in Beeton getting into difficulties and a couple have closed down.
“We know there are others on the brink of collapse so the local outlook is mostly gloomy. All our recent surveys of members continue to show a declining level of business activity.”
The credit crunch has reduced the firm's sales to almost non-existent levels but late payment by clients has been a major problem too.
Matt Adsley, the spokesman from the Association of Small Businesses which headquartered in Beeton, said: “It is very unfortunate when one of our members, such as Tindall Shopfitters, has to close its doors, especially when it is a company with such a good reputation."
The company, with a reputation of high quality shop and warehouse fittings production, has been operating for over six decades, and this year it is supposed to mark its diamond anniversary.
While Tindall Shopfitters Ltd has just been shortlisted for a national award as Retail Interiors' Store-fit Company of the Year, the firm's 22 staff are facing job cuts, according to the managing director Jameson Tindall.
Philip Platts, 57, metalworker and staff representative at the company said there were people weeping when they heard what was happening. “Some of us are of an age where we're unlikely to find new jobs, but that wasn't what we were crying about,” Said Philip.
“We were crying because this is the end of an era. Those who created the country's economic crisis have a lot to answer for,” He added.
In order to help staff find new employers, the family-run business in Gresley Street not only have held consultations with staff representatives, but also has been talking to the town's Chamber of Commerce.
Chief executive officer of Beeton Chamber of Commerce Harold Livesey said: “The economic maelstrom has led to a clutch of firms in Beeton getting into difficulties and a couple have closed down.
“We know there are others on the brink of collapse so the local outlook is mostly gloomy. All our recent surveys of members continue to show a declining level of business activity.”
The credit crunch has reduced the firm's sales to almost non-existent levels but late payment by clients has been a major problem too.
Matt Adsley, the spokesman from the Association of Small Businesses which headquartered in Beeton, said: “It is very unfortunate when one of our members, such as Tindall Shopfitters, has to close its doors, especially when it is a company with such a good reputation."
The company, with a reputation of high quality shop and warehouse fittings production, has been operating for over six decades, and this year it is supposed to mark its diamond anniversary.
A charity bazaar to raise money for the British Heart Foundation
A charity bazaar will be held to raise £500 for the British Heart Foundation.
The event, organised by St Peter's Church, is to commemorate its treasurer Arnold Higgs, who died from a fatal heart attack.
It starts at 10am this Saturday morning at the church hall in Stanley street.
The event, organised by St Peter's Church, is to commemorate its treasurer Arnold Higgs, who died from a fatal heart attack.
It starts at 10am this Saturday morning at the church hall in Stanley street.
Internship at The Independent on Sunday
I was totally thrilled when I received my one-month Internship Award at The Independent on Sunday.
The award is run by the paper in conjuction with my journalism training centre – noSWeat Journalism Training. It aims to reward the best trainee journalists, in terms of their work in class, general attitude to journalism training, and to the college in particular.
Only two students, including both full/part timers from the 2009 intake, scooped the award.
From my side, I've been to different newsrooms in this country as an intern for long, and I could have even dubbed myself an internship/work experience professional.
But none of them have been an internship/work placement like this before – it's really a recognition of all the hard work and dedication that I've been throwing into my studies, which I should be really proud of!
On top of that, tutors' full support at the college also helped me a lot to grab this opportunity.
In my opinion, the process of training journalists can sometimes be rather painful and difficult.
Just the Teeline Shorthand alone could scare a dozen, never mind the more complicated tasks such as being expected to understand all the local/central government stuff, or remembering the media law aspect when court reporting.
As far as I am concerned, the pass rate of Teeline Shorthand is only 24% nationwide. And of course, it should mean passing 100 words per minute or above, which is an industry standard.
When a student qualifies as a trainee, recognised by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), he or she is expected to complete at least 18 months' on-the-job training in a local newspaper or any publication that offers a junior reporting role.
The trainee is expected to cover all sorts of stories on the job, ranging from local council meetings, residents group gatherings, fundrasing parties, road accidents, magistrates/crown court reporting, to post offices or banks' closure, and any bits and bobs that concern the local community most.
After successfully completing the 18 months, trainee reporters are then entitled to take the National Certificate Exam (NCE) in a bid to be fully-qualified as a senior reporter, which is the final stage of the whole journalist training process.
The award is run by the paper in conjuction with my journalism training centre – noSWeat Journalism Training. It aims to reward the best trainee journalists, in terms of their work in class, general attitude to journalism training, and to the college in particular.
Only two students, including both full/part timers from the 2009 intake, scooped the award.
From my side, I've been to different newsrooms in this country as an intern for long, and I could have even dubbed myself an internship/work experience professional.
But none of them have been an internship/work placement like this before – it's really a recognition of all the hard work and dedication that I've been throwing into my studies, which I should be really proud of!
On top of that, tutors' full support at the college also helped me a lot to grab this opportunity.
In my opinion, the process of training journalists can sometimes be rather painful and difficult.
Just the Teeline Shorthand alone could scare a dozen, never mind the more complicated tasks such as being expected to understand all the local/central government stuff, or remembering the media law aspect when court reporting.
As far as I am concerned, the pass rate of Teeline Shorthand is only 24% nationwide. And of course, it should mean passing 100 words per minute or above, which is an industry standard.
When a student qualifies as a trainee, recognised by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), he or she is expected to complete at least 18 months' on-the-job training in a local newspaper or any publication that offers a junior reporting role.
The trainee is expected to cover all sorts of stories on the job, ranging from local council meetings, residents group gatherings, fundrasing parties, road accidents, magistrates/crown court reporting, to post offices or banks' closure, and any bits and bobs that concern the local community most.
After successfully completing the 18 months, trainee reporters are then entitled to take the National Certificate Exam (NCE) in a bid to be fully-qualified as a senior reporter, which is the final stage of the whole journalist training process.
Saturday 15 January 2011
Bogus collectors steal clothes for charity
Bogus collectors in Beeton are stealing clothes donated to a charity.
Yesterday 25 plastic charity bags were stolen from streets in Dalton.
Amanda Powney, secretary of the Beeton branch of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “This is a particularly mean type of theft that has a direct impact on the money we raise to fund our specialist nurses.”
The official Macmillan van used for pickups has a side-logo printed in dark green and lime.
Anyone with information should contact 08448732199.
Yesterday 25 plastic charity bags were stolen from streets in Dalton.
Amanda Powney, secretary of the Beeton branch of Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “This is a particularly mean type of theft that has a direct impact on the money we raise to fund our specialist nurses.”
The official Macmillan van used for pickups has a side-logo printed in dark green and lime.
Anyone with information should contact 08448732199.
Century-old hide is to be restored
A more than century-old hide is to be restored in a bid to build up an eco-friendly community in Ilworth.
The 170-year-old hide, erected by the well-known Victorian naturalist Sir Hnery Swire, was the last remaining stone-built hide in Holme Part Wood on the western outskirts of Ilworth, according to the Community Service Committee Chairman Stanley Hucksley at the Rotary Club of Ilworth.
Andrew Nicolson, Ilworth Council's Countryside and Conservation manager, said: “This is a wonderful project that has our full support. Our foresters are already working on improvements to the footpaths in parts of the wood near the hide.”
The project, which will mark the Rotary Club's 60th anniversary, was funded by a Heritage Initiative Lottery grant of £25,000, according to Stanley.
The council says it wishes to enhance and protect the local community. “We shall use the Rotary project as a springboard to setting up a Friends of Holme Park Wood group,” said Andrew.
Local schools and community groups will be involved in working with Rotarians. Colin Moran, Head teacher of Holme Grove Junior and Infants School, said: “A scheme such as this will provide tremendous impetus for a whole series of school-based projects.
“It is to be greatly welcomed and the Rotary club is to be congratulated on its intiative.”
In addition to restoring the hide, the club is planning to improve public accesss, enhancing existing footpaths and opening up at least one other.
Bill Ivanson, environmental officer for the club talked about the hide's dilapidated condition as he lives near the wood and has long been aware of the last remaining bird hide.
He said: “When the club asked for ideas for an environmental scheme to mark our diamond jubilee, I had no hesitation in offering this is a project.”
Part of the grant will be used to set up a series of lectures talking about Sir Henry, who is famous for his groundbreaking work.
The 170-year-old hide, erected by the well-known Victorian naturalist Sir Hnery Swire, was the last remaining stone-built hide in Holme Part Wood on the western outskirts of Ilworth, according to the Community Service Committee Chairman Stanley Hucksley at the Rotary Club of Ilworth.
Andrew Nicolson, Ilworth Council's Countryside and Conservation manager, said: “This is a wonderful project that has our full support. Our foresters are already working on improvements to the footpaths in parts of the wood near the hide.”
The project, which will mark the Rotary Club's 60th anniversary, was funded by a Heritage Initiative Lottery grant of £25,000, according to Stanley.
The council says it wishes to enhance and protect the local community. “We shall use the Rotary project as a springboard to setting up a Friends of Holme Park Wood group,” said Andrew.
Local schools and community groups will be involved in working with Rotarians. Colin Moran, Head teacher of Holme Grove Junior and Infants School, said: “A scheme such as this will provide tremendous impetus for a whole series of school-based projects.
“It is to be greatly welcomed and the Rotary club is to be congratulated on its intiative.”
In addition to restoring the hide, the club is planning to improve public accesss, enhancing existing footpaths and opening up at least one other.
Bill Ivanson, environmental officer for the club talked about the hide's dilapidated condition as he lives near the wood and has long been aware of the last remaining bird hide.
He said: “When the club asked for ideas for an environmental scheme to mark our diamond jubilee, I had no hesitation in offering this is a project.”
Part of the grant will be used to set up a series of lectures talking about Sir Henry, who is famous for his groundbreaking work.
Friday 14 January 2011
Century-old heritage restored to attract locals
A more than century-old heritage will be restored to attract locals as part of an environmental project and help build up an eco-friendly community in Ilworth.
The project, which will mark a local Rotary Club's 60th anniversary, was funded by a Heritage Initiative Lottery grant of £25,000, according to the club's Community Service Committee Chairman Stanley Hucksley.
Ilworth Council's Countryside and Conservation manager Andrew Nicolson said: “This is a wonderful project that has our full support. Our foresters are already working on improvements to the footpaths in parts of the wood near the hide.”
The council wishes to enhance and protect the local community, “We shall use the Rotary project as a springboard to setting up a Friends of Holme Park Wood group,” Andrew said.
The 170-year-old hide, erected by the well-known Victorian naturalist Sir Hnery Swire, was the last remaining stone-built hide in Holme Part Wood on the western outskirts of Ilworth, according to Stanley.
Bill Ivanson, environmental officer for the club said: “As I live near the wood, I have long been aware of the last remaining bird hide, which is in a very dilapidated condition.
“When the club asked for ideas for an environmental scheme to mark our diamond jubilee, I had no hesitation in offering this is a project.”
Despite the work of restoring the hide, the club is also planning to improve public accesss to the hide, improving existing footpaths and opening up at least one other.
Stanley said rotarians will work closely with local schools and community groups. Colin Moran, Head teacher of Holme Grove Junior and Infants School said: “A scheme such as this will provide tremendous impetus for a whole series of school-based projects.
“It is to be greatly welcomed and the Rotary club is to be congratulated on its intiative.”
Part of the grant will be used to set up a series of lectures talking about Sir Henry.
The project, which will mark a local Rotary Club's 60th anniversary, was funded by a Heritage Initiative Lottery grant of £25,000, according to the club's Community Service Committee Chairman Stanley Hucksley.
Ilworth Council's Countryside and Conservation manager Andrew Nicolson said: “This is a wonderful project that has our full support. Our foresters are already working on improvements to the footpaths in parts of the wood near the hide.”
The council wishes to enhance and protect the local community, “We shall use the Rotary project as a springboard to setting up a Friends of Holme Park Wood group,” Andrew said.
The 170-year-old hide, erected by the well-known Victorian naturalist Sir Hnery Swire, was the last remaining stone-built hide in Holme Part Wood on the western outskirts of Ilworth, according to Stanley.
Bill Ivanson, environmental officer for the club said: “As I live near the wood, I have long been aware of the last remaining bird hide, which is in a very dilapidated condition.
“When the club asked for ideas for an environmental scheme to mark our diamond jubilee, I had no hesitation in offering this is a project.”
Despite the work of restoring the hide, the club is also planning to improve public accesss to the hide, improving existing footpaths and opening up at least one other.
Stanley said rotarians will work closely with local schools and community groups. Colin Moran, Head teacher of Holme Grove Junior and Infants School said: “A scheme such as this will provide tremendous impetus for a whole series of school-based projects.
“It is to be greatly welcomed and the Rotary club is to be congratulated on its intiative.”
Part of the grant will be used to set up a series of lectures talking about Sir Henry.
Thursday 13 January 2011
News writing - one
An 11-year-old girl was distraught because her donkey was stolen between 6pm last night and 6:30am today from a field on Valeham Road, Walton.
Suzie's dad Mr Adrian Bussey, of Rose Cottage said his daughter and the male donkey Bobby have nearly grown up together.
The family thought Bobby must have been taken by a van or trailer, and they have been trying their best to console Suzie.
Anyone with information please call Valeham newsdesk 234565.
II
A project to help pupils with chess lessons will be launched next Monday at Walton Lane Junior School.
It is run by the Valeham Rotary Club and junior schools, and the session will last one-hour every week during term time.
The scheme will be soon extended to other schools.
Suzie's dad Mr Adrian Bussey, of Rose Cottage said his daughter and the male donkey Bobby have nearly grown up together.
The family thought Bobby must have been taken by a van or trailer, and they have been trying their best to console Suzie.
Anyone with information please call Valeham newsdesk 234565.
II
A project to help pupils with chess lessons will be launched next Monday at Walton Lane Junior School.
It is run by the Valeham Rotary Club and junior schools, and the session will last one-hour every week during term time.
The scheme will be soon extended to other schools.
Sunday 9 January 2011
Irish Republic bail-out
Basically, Ireland's economy has increased rapidly during the last three years, and its economic growth has mainly depended on its property market.
Since 2008, the property market began falling apart with house values dropping by 50-60%, and lots of bad debts going around the market.
So the bad debts have almost damaged the country's banks, forcing the government to bail them out which have wrecked Ireland's finance.
Despite the substantial cost of bailing out the banks, the country's finance has also been severely affected by a sharp deterioration in tax revenues and a rise in unemployment benefit claims.
On top of that, the government will need to spend huge sums of money, worth 12% of its GDP.
As a result, Ireland has agreed to accept the EU's 85bn Euro rescue package with a hope of tackling its huge finance hole.
In addition to that, the government has also drawn up an austerity programme for spending cuts and tax rises as part of the rescue package.
Since 2008, the property market began falling apart with house values dropping by 50-60%, and lots of bad debts going around the market.
So the bad debts have almost damaged the country's banks, forcing the government to bail them out which have wrecked Ireland's finance.
Despite the substantial cost of bailing out the banks, the country's finance has also been severely affected by a sharp deterioration in tax revenues and a rise in unemployment benefit claims.
On top of that, the government will need to spend huge sums of money, worth 12% of its GDP.
As a result, Ireland has agreed to accept the EU's 85bn Euro rescue package with a hope of tackling its huge finance hole.
In addition to that, the government has also drawn up an austerity programme for spending cuts and tax rises as part of the rescue package.
New project launch to protect wildlife
The Valegam council is supporting a local Wildlife Trust's call for encouraging residents to protect the area's environment and species.
The Living Churchyards Project, which will be launched by the Valeham & District Wildlife Trust next month, is to include biological surveys and advice on how to manage churchyard and burial spaces.
David Endwright, Valeham Council's Cemeteries and Crematoria manager, said: “Our cemeteries contain much of the district's history but it is also good to have them recognised as an environmental and wildlife resource.
“One of our staff has been designated a liaison to the Wildlife Trust, with who we are only to happy to co-operate.”
Despite the support from the Council, the organisation has also received encouragment from the Church of England's diocesan office, according to the Trust's volunteering development officer Imogen Yorke.
Diocesan secretary Roger Cressy at Church House said: “Even in heavily built-up areas, churchyards can remain a haven peace for all maner of wildlife.
“A member of one of our congregations who happens to be a Wildlife Trust volunteer recently found a rare orchid growing in their churchyard. It's wonderful when discoveries of that sort are made.”
Ms Yorke said cemeteries provide a largely undisturbed home for many birds and creatures.
Much of the work, such as fundraising and nature reserve, will be carried out by volunteers. The organisation is also looking for people who have the appropriate skills, such as botanical skills.
The Running Wild Project, launched by the same Trust last year, also offers vacancies to help running the project, which aims to help young people to learn more about wildlife and the environment.
Mrs Isobel Travers, a nature reserve volunteer, of 16 Park Road, Valeham, said: “I didnt't have any experience when I volunteered, but I was given all the training that was needed.”
It's been a really wonderful experience and I now understand nature reserve management means being willing to get your hands dirty!”
The Living Churchyards Project, which will be launched by the Valeham & District Wildlife Trust next month, is to include biological surveys and advice on how to manage churchyard and burial spaces.
David Endwright, Valeham Council's Cemeteries and Crematoria manager, said: “Our cemeteries contain much of the district's history but it is also good to have them recognised as an environmental and wildlife resource.
“One of our staff has been designated a liaison to the Wildlife Trust, with who we are only to happy to co-operate.”
Despite the support from the Council, the organisation has also received encouragment from the Church of England's diocesan office, according to the Trust's volunteering development officer Imogen Yorke.
Diocesan secretary Roger Cressy at Church House said: “Even in heavily built-up areas, churchyards can remain a haven peace for all maner of wildlife.
“A member of one of our congregations who happens to be a Wildlife Trust volunteer recently found a rare orchid growing in their churchyard. It's wonderful when discoveries of that sort are made.”
Ms Yorke said cemeteries provide a largely undisturbed home for many birds and creatures.
Much of the work, such as fundraising and nature reserve, will be carried out by volunteers. The organisation is also looking for people who have the appropriate skills, such as botanical skills.
The Running Wild Project, launched by the same Trust last year, also offers vacancies to help running the project, which aims to help young people to learn more about wildlife and the environment.
Mrs Isobel Travers, a nature reserve volunteer, of 16 Park Road, Valeham, said: “I didnt't have any experience when I volunteered, but I was given all the training that was needed.”
It's been a really wonderful experience and I now understand nature reserve management means being willing to get your hands dirty!”
Thursday 6 January 2011
Shorthand
I'm still in it!
It seems nobody can get a way round it. How can you? Interviewing people on the phone, reporting on a council meeting, dashing to the crime scene to get a quote from the police and witnesses...everywhere you just need it, or you find yourself in the middle of the embarrassment madness - oh gosh, why can't I get it all down?!
Then you realise you really have to work your hardest to get your speed up to standard. No matter how old-fashion you think the system is, or how the thing's cracking your nerve, you're clear more than anyone else that getting 100 words per minute is just on top of your agenda.
You start even surprising yourself, you find whenever you listen to radio or watch TV, whenever you read newspapers, you're just trying to work out their outlines and just trying to get them all done in shorthand!
It seems nobody can get a way round it. How can you? Interviewing people on the phone, reporting on a council meeting, dashing to the crime scene to get a quote from the police and witnesses...everywhere you just need it, or you find yourself in the middle of the embarrassment madness - oh gosh, why can't I get it all down?!
Then you realise you really have to work your hardest to get your speed up to standard. No matter how old-fashion you think the system is, or how the thing's cracking your nerve, you're clear more than anyone else that getting 100 words per minute is just on top of your agenda.
You start even surprising yourself, you find whenever you listen to radio or watch TV, whenever you read newspapers, you're just trying to work out their outlines and just trying to get them all done in shorthand!
Company profile - Kalesná & Partners
Fictional Writing
Kalesná & Partners has performed well since last May. Although the company's peers said that lynchpin Josef Magal's departure would dent the firm's financing service, this did not happen. Instead, clients have praised their service, with one recommending its “good commercial awareness”, particularly from partner Richard Flynn.
Flynn's performance in most of the high-profile deals has earned him praise even from rivals, with some describing him as “one of the Slovak Republic's all-time legal greats” and “a very analytical mind”.
His notable deals include teaming up with Július Paska to advise on the financing of Volkswagen Slovakia’s takeover of Matador. The deal was worth €320 million, and was closed in September, 2010. Elsewhere, the pair have been acting for ING Bank, advising its refinancing of SkyEurope’s debt.
In addition to Flynn's conquests, other staff have clinched deals too. Newly employed associates Ludmila Rázusova and Alica Moleková have joined the firm's head of banking & finance Alexej Valvoda, to advise Istrobanka on financing of GlaxoSmithKline’s purchase of Novácke Chemické Závody; and the deal was closed at €240 million in October, 2010.
The firm has advised some of the financial service industry's big names, including Istrobanka, ING Bank, Citigroup, and Lehman Brothers.
Key Contact Partners
Richard Flynn
Alexej Valvoda
Leading Lawyer
Richard Flynn
Kalesná & Partners has performed well since last May. Although the company's peers said that lynchpin Josef Magal's departure would dent the firm's financing service, this did not happen. Instead, clients have praised their service, with one recommending its “good commercial awareness”, particularly from partner Richard Flynn.
Flynn's performance in most of the high-profile deals has earned him praise even from rivals, with some describing him as “one of the Slovak Republic's all-time legal greats” and “a very analytical mind”.
His notable deals include teaming up with Július Paska to advise on the financing of Volkswagen Slovakia’s takeover of Matador. The deal was worth €320 million, and was closed in September, 2010. Elsewhere, the pair have been acting for ING Bank, advising its refinancing of SkyEurope’s debt.
In addition to Flynn's conquests, other staff have clinched deals too. Newly employed associates Ludmila Rázusova and Alica Moleková have joined the firm's head of banking & finance Alexej Valvoda, to advise Istrobanka on financing of GlaxoSmithKline’s purchase of Novácke Chemické Závody; and the deal was closed at €240 million in October, 2010.
The firm has advised some of the financial service industry's big names, including Istrobanka, ING Bank, Citigroup, and Lehman Brothers.
Key Contact Partners
Richard Flynn
Alexej Valvoda
Leading Lawyer
Richard Flynn
Small businesses suffer from power supply cuts
Small businesses across China are up in arms over an energy law that makes local authorities cut power supply every month.
The local authorities' move, aims to meet the target set by the government to reduce energy use by 20 per cent in each unit of gross domestic product by the end of the 2010.
It is part of China's five-year plan starting from 2005 to boost the country's economy, according to Xinhua news agency.
A number of factories in Wen Zhou in southern China have been affected severely because of the cuts. One of the local plant managers Wu Lin, of Ouhai district, told the national newspaper China Youth: “It's really bad for our business and we're very worried.”
He said: “The local authority should have started the process long time back, and now they cut the electricity supply every 20 days a month, we really don't know how we are going to survive.”
The electricity cuts have also increased a demand for diesel fuel and candles across many parts of the country. This has led to a shortage of the fuel.
“The primary reason for the diesel shortage is that they [local authories] have cut the power supply to a lot of industries,” said KF Yan, research director at consultancy Cera in Beijing, according to the Financial Times.
The shortage of diesel fuel has in turn caused some embarressment for small businesses. In another southern city Chongqing, a local crematorium made headlines when it was discovered that corpses were stacked in fridges as there was no diesel fuel for the crematorium to operate fully.
Manager Fang Ai told the Chonging Evening Daily that the crematorium stopped operating temporarily.
he said: “Our place should be able to burn 10 corpses a day, but because of the shortage, we are now stopped working. And some of the families' funerals have also been severely affected.”
According to Xinhua, there were 15.6 per cent decline in China's energy intensity from 2005 to 2009, but it rose up again by 3.2 per cet in the first quarter of this year.
In May, Premier Wen Jiabao warned that he would use an “iron fist” to meet the five-year goal.
Officials in Beijing revealed that they intend to target the industrial sector, which have spent up to 70 per cent of the country's electricity, to achieve the goal.
However, local governments heavily depend on the industrial sector, mainly those state-owned biggest energy consumers, to get sufficient tax revenue to stay solvent.
Therefore, local officials have been searching for alternative way to save enegy by cutting power supplies to those local enterprises and small businesses.
The local authorities' move, aims to meet the target set by the government to reduce energy use by 20 per cent in each unit of gross domestic product by the end of the 2010.
It is part of China's five-year plan starting from 2005 to boost the country's economy, according to Xinhua news agency.
A number of factories in Wen Zhou in southern China have been affected severely because of the cuts. One of the local plant managers Wu Lin, of Ouhai district, told the national newspaper China Youth: “It's really bad for our business and we're very worried.”
He said: “The local authority should have started the process long time back, and now they cut the electricity supply every 20 days a month, we really don't know how we are going to survive.”
The electricity cuts have also increased a demand for diesel fuel and candles across many parts of the country. This has led to a shortage of the fuel.
“The primary reason for the diesel shortage is that they [local authories] have cut the power supply to a lot of industries,” said KF Yan, research director at consultancy Cera in Beijing, according to the Financial Times.
The shortage of diesel fuel has in turn caused some embarressment for small businesses. In another southern city Chongqing, a local crematorium made headlines when it was discovered that corpses were stacked in fridges as there was no diesel fuel for the crematorium to operate fully.
Manager Fang Ai told the Chonging Evening Daily that the crematorium stopped operating temporarily.
he said: “Our place should be able to burn 10 corpses a day, but because of the shortage, we are now stopped working. And some of the families' funerals have also been severely affected.”
According to Xinhua, there were 15.6 per cent decline in China's energy intensity from 2005 to 2009, but it rose up again by 3.2 per cet in the first quarter of this year.
In May, Premier Wen Jiabao warned that he would use an “iron fist” to meet the five-year goal.
Officials in Beijing revealed that they intend to target the industrial sector, which have spent up to 70 per cent of the country's electricity, to achieve the goal.
However, local governments heavily depend on the industrial sector, mainly those state-owned biggest energy consumers, to get sufficient tax revenue to stay solvent.
Therefore, local officials have been searching for alternative way to save enegy by cutting power supplies to those local enterprises and small businesses.
Sunday 2 January 2011
You should never be discouraged
At a time when David Cameron has warned Britons that 2011 will be a much tougher year, a little-known man in East London is giving out a much warmer message: don’t be discouraged.
This Sunday, the Rev Peter Stow of St Mark’s church in Forest Gate told locals that despite the difficulties in life there is still hope. He said this as part of his New Year’s Message.
Peter said that everyone carries a baggage, some might carry a bag of loneliness, some might carry unemployment, and others might carry lots of debts.
However, we should not worry about the burden, because God cares for each one of us and he is going to carry it for us. We should share our worries with God.
It is the first service to be held this year in this Anglican Church, and it gathers around a hundred people from the local parish.
This Sunday, the Rev Peter Stow of St Mark’s church in Forest Gate told locals that despite the difficulties in life there is still hope. He said this as part of his New Year’s Message.
Peter said that everyone carries a baggage, some might carry a bag of loneliness, some might carry unemployment, and others might carry lots of debts.
However, we should not worry about the burden, because God cares for each one of us and he is going to carry it for us. We should share our worries with God.
It is the first service to be held this year in this Anglican Church, and it gathers around a hundred people from the local parish.
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