Saturday 19 February 2011

News writing - one

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?

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.