Orchestra celebrates 30th anniversary

By Yixiang Zeng

A music prodigy with only one hand won public acclaim on Saturday at a concert organised by Harrow’s Trinity Orchestra.

The event was a celebration to mark the Orchestra’s 30th anniversary, as well as helping to showcase some of the country’s most talented young musicians from the Royal College of Music.

21-year-old pianist Nicholas McCarthy, who plays with just his left hand, was among the many performers at the Trinity Church on Hindes Road.

He said: “It was the first time I have played this piece with an Orchestra, I was very pleased because it’s such a good Orchestra to play with. The reaction from the audience was good as well.”

Nicholas performed Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, a piece that was composed specifically for a one-hand pianist.

Another highlight was 16-year-old composer Nick White, who had been commissioned to write a piece called Bugle to mark the Orchestra’s special occasion.

The music director of the Orchestra, Michael Murray, told The HA1: “The concert is not only to celebrate the past 30 years, but also to show the talent for the next 30 years. We want to have young performers and composers who can work with us.”

A particular success on the night was a performance of Gustav Holst’s The Planets, which requires a large Orchestra.

Peter Farrell, 64, a piano teacher from Hertfordshire, said: It’s absolutely fantastic and wonderful, the standard is exceptional.

“I think the Planets is an extremely difficult Orchestra piece, the technique and the music. All the players are exceptional for a local Orchestra.”

Harrow Orchestra story

By Yixiang Zeng

A music prodigy with only one-hand won public acclaim yesterday at a concert organised by Trinity Orchestra in Harrow.

The event was a celebration of the Orchestra's 30th anniversary with the aim to showcase the country's most talented young musicians from the Royal College of Music in London.

Nicholas McCarthy, the 21-year-old pianist who only has a left-hand, is among one of many who showed their talent on Saturday night.

He said: “It was my first time to play this piece with an Orchestra, I was very pleased because it's such a good Orchestra to play with. The audience has good reaction as well.”

Nicholas performed Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, a piece composed specifically for a one-hand pianist.

Another highlight at the event was young composer Nick White, the 16-year-old from the college's junior department, who has been commissioned for the opening piece called Bugle to mark the groups' special occasion.

He said in his own note the main melody for 'Bugle' came while improvising at the piano, “I wanted to explore the more 'solo' aspect of the orchestra in this piece, so most of the melodies here are played by one instrument at a time.”



The music director of the Orchestra Michael Murray told The HA1: “The concert is not only to celebrate the past 30 years, but also to show the talent for the next 30 years. We want to have young performers and composers who can work with us.”

The best part of the concert was when the Orchestra performed Gustav Holst's The Planets, which requires a large Orchestra.

Peter Farrell, 64, a piano teacher from Hertfordshire, said: It's absolutely fantastic and wonderful, the standard is exceptional. I think the Planets is an extremely difficult Orchestra piece, the technique and the music. All the players are exceptional for the local Orchestra.”

Battle of Britain Memorial Concert story

by Yixiang Zeng

Hundreds of visitors attended Battle of Britain Memorial Concert yesterday to raise money for St Luke's Hospice and the RAF Bentley Priory Battle of Britain Trust.

The concert, held in Bentley Priory in Stanmore - the headquarters of Fighter Command during the WWII, also aimed to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and commemorate those who died in the battle against the Nazis.

Erica Ferguson, 43, executive consultant of the Trust, said the money raised from the concert is just a small part of the £2 million the organisation wants to raise in order to improve the educational facilities of the museum, a Grade II listed mansion house in Bentley Priory.

Pam Russell, 48, director of Fundraising of St Luke's Hospice, said: “Some of the proceeds go to the hospice, and we probably made about more than £10,000.”

Couple of bands who performed during the concert, such as The British Airways Brass Band, children's choir Voice in a Million, and Harrow Apollo Male Choirs, reminded around 500 guests about the old days.

Peter Schiavi, 70, of Pinner told The HA1 the concert let him remember “the metal of sheltering, and the soldiers”, he said:“It's an excellent concert, bringing back a lot of memories, things you know, should not be forgotten.”

The 94-year-old Blenheim gunner, Owen Burns, from the 235 squadron who served in the battle, said: “I've been here for many times, it's always lovely to be here, this was the heart of the people who ran the war and who followed Fighter Command.”

Harrow in LEAF show draws crowds

by Yixiang Zeng

Thousands of people turned out once again over the bank holiday weekend for Harrow’s biggest horticultural festival.

The annual Harrow in LEAF competition brought together plants and vegetables grown by green-fingered residents, with prizes handed out for the best produce on display.

Georgia Weston, chairman of the charity, said: “We try to encourage people who grow stuff in the borough, who have bees, art work and photography, encourage them to show off their work by entering the competition.

“It’s open to everyone who wishes to enter. We try to bring a lot of people together, and it is nice to be recognised within your community.

The two-day event also offered games and live music for families, as well as stalls selling products from local businesses and charities.

It replaced the former Harrow Show five years ago and now attracts a large number of local volunteers who help out over the weekend as well.

Harrow in Leaf show story

By Yixiang Zeng



Thousands of visitors were attracted to the community's traditional horticultural festival at the bank holiday weekend.

The sixth annual competition, organised by Harrow in Leaf, aims to bring the whole community together and encourage the locals to show off their talent.

Nita Mcewan, 46, of King’s Road, South Harrow, explained how she was amazed after she had visited the two tents displaying vegetables, flowers, arts and crafts made by the community members, allotment and horticultural societies, and Harrow Beekeepers Association.

She said: “It's a very good event, and we never see something like this. They have got a fantastic site as well.

“This is amazing. We followed people who run the clubs, learned how they grow the vegetables, how they looked after them. I'm looking forward to join one of the societies.”



Georgia Weston, Chairman of Harrow in Leaf, said: “We try to encourage people who grow stuff in the borough, who have bees, art work and photography, encourage them to show off their work by entering the competition.

“It's open to everyone who wishes to enter. We try to bring a lot of people together, and it is nice to be recognised within your community and it's very good for the community."

Apart from the exhibition displayed at the Harrow Museum and Heritage Centre, the two-day event also offers games, fun and live music to the families, and helps promote local businesses by inviting them to set up stalls to sell their goods.

Ms Weston added: “It's also a chance for people in the borough to come and look around, buy some stuff, and have some coffee. We provide something nice that people can go locally.”

Speaking with the winner of this year's “The Best in the Show”, John William Harding told The HA1 he has always brought his garden plant dahlias to the shows, “I go to lots of shows like this, and I like to keep the standard up.



“I enjoy people to come to see my dahlias, and try to make them really nice. I spend a lot of time and a lot of input.”

The show, which replaced the former Harrow Show five years ago, has also attracted plenty of volunteers to help out during the event.



Silsila Rokai, 19, of The Bye Way in Harrow, said she and her sister are very excited to come and help out at the event: “I am interested to help people so I think it's a good idea to spend some time to see what everyone is doing, and find out what they are up to.

“I am very surprised that so many people want to volunteer, and I definitely think about volunteering again next year.”

Family to take on Everest challenge

An Edgware family are to climb part of Mount Everest to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.

Five members of the Hindocha family are to take on the mountain’s Base Camp Challenge in October as part of a bid to raise £24,000.

Neha Hindocha, 25, told The HA1 they started fundraising after their grandmother got help from the Kenton hospice in 2009.

“My grandma was very ill for the past thirty years,” she said. “They way they treated her was absolutely incredible.”

The family held a Salsa and Mexican evening last week at the VIP Lounge in Edgware to help fund their trip.

They have already raised £15,000 of their target through events including a trek across the Alps in Switzerland.

Neha’s brother Vishal, 24, said: “The money will pay for nurses and doctors. They receive very little funding from the NHS and almost purely depend on donations. We wish we could give something back to them.”

The family are hoping that their Mount Everest challenge will see them reach their fundraising target.

It is set to be their toughest physical challenge so far and will involve almost two weeks of walking.

Neha said: “We’re trying to go to Box Hill in Surrey, go to the gym, cycling, swimming and walking to increase our endurance.

“We’re climbing to the peak just above the Base Camp, which is 6000 metres over 13 days of trekking.”

You can find out more about their trip and make a donation on the family’s Just Giving page

St Luke's Hospice story

By Yixiang Zeng

An evening of salsa moves, Mexican food and cocktails was dedicated to raise money for St Luke's Hospice.



The event, held by the Hindocha family from Wolmer Garden, Edgware, attracted hundreds of guests dressed up as Latino dancers, who enjoyed a fabulous Wednesday night.

Neha Hindocha, 25, daughter of the family explained why they wish to help raise money for the Hospice, she said: “My grandma was very ill for the past thirty years. Last year she was at St Luke's Hospice, the way they treated her was absolutely incredible.”

Vishal, 24, Neha's brother, added: “The money will pay for nurses and doctors, they receive very little funding from the NHS, and almost purely depend on donation. We wish we could give something back to them.”

Among the guests enjoyed the party was Renu Malhotra, 48, from Camrose Avenue, Edgware, who said: “I like the dance, and it's an excellent event. I feel very organised and enjoyable.

“[They've got] great support from their friends, because everyone is at the middle of the week and I don't expect so many people turn out.”

The family is aiming to raise £25, 000 and so far has already got £15,000 under their belt through a variety of events including a yoga workshop, a charity lunch, and a trek during which Neha's mom and dad participated in across the Alps in Switzerland.

Neha told The HA1 they are now gearing up to take on the Everest Base Camp Challenge in October with the hope of raising the rest of the money.

She said: “We're trying to go to Box Hill in Surrey, go to gym, cycling, swimming, and walking, and increase our endurance.

“We're climbing to the peak just above the Base Camp, which is 6,000 metres over 13 days of trekking.”

The team, including the entire Hindocha family, are also preparing their equipment for the trip, such as tents, sleeping bags and trekking boots.

If you would like to raise money for St Luke's Hospice or know more about their adventure, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Team-N-Everest/3

Tobias Mead wows Harrow crowds

by Yixiang Zeng

One of the stars of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent competition wowed fans in Harrow on Sunday afternoon.



Tobias Mead performed some of his sleek dance moves at St Ann’s Shopping Centre yesterday, watched by around a hundred spectators and shoppers.

Among the fans queued up for his performance was 14-year-old Lisa from Harrow Weald, who said: “The performance is really good, amazing. I’m a big fan of his.”

15-year-old Debbie, from Wealdstone, had also headed into the town centre to watch Tobias in action. She said: “It’s really good. I just like his moves.”



22-year-old Tobias became a household name overnight after performing for Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan on Britain’s Got Talent.

He told The HA1 that he was now enjoying having the chance to perform for and meet some of his fans in person.

“I’m trying to interact with the audience here,” he said. “Because when you’re on TV, you cannot see the audience, and they are all at home, but here you can see the crowds and be as close as possible to them.”

Tobias became one of the stars of this year’s ITV competition despite losing out to the eventual winners Spellbound.

He has now taken his dance routines on the road with a number of performances penciled in across the country.



Tobias said: “I will do a lot of performances. From next week I will work with Disney Camp Rock 2 and do promotion (for them) all over the places.

“I will be dancing with other dancers and make the promotion more interesting.”

Fans in Harrow also got the chance to meet the talented dancer after watching him in action.

Tobias posed for photographs and signed autographs as well as performing two shows at the shopping centre.

TV star wows Harrow Crowds

By Yixiang Zeng

A Britain's Got Talent finalist wowed crowds at St Anns Shopping Centre when he showed off his creative dance yesterday noon.

Tobias Mead, 22, from Warminster, drove girls wild with his sleek moves attracting around a hundred shoppers.

Lisa, 14, from Harrow Weald, said: “The performance is really good and it's amazing. I'm a big fan of his.”

Another 15-year-old Debbie from Wealdstone, said: “It is really good. I just like his moves and very creative.”

The ITV show star told the HA1 he enjoyed his performance at the centre, he said: “I'm trying to interact with the audience here.

“Because when you're on TV, you cannot see the audience, and they are all at home, but here you can see the crowds and be as close as possible to them.”

When talking about his next move, Tobias added: “I will do a lot of performances. From next week I will work with Disney Camp Rock 2 and do promotion (for them) all over the places.

“I will be dancing with other dancers, and make the promotion more interesting.”

The audience showed its enthusiasm by queuing up patiently to ask him for photos and autographs during the meet-and-greet session.

Mrs Davinder Badhan, 43, from Heston, said she and her husband even brought the video camera to film the scenes when the star signing autograph for their son and daughter.

Bond says thank you with party

by Yixiang Zeng

Residents from North Harrow came together at the weekend to celebrate James Bond’s local election win in May.

The event on Saturday, held by the Headstone North Councillor at St Alban’s Church Hall, was to thank voters for their support and trust following his decision to stand as an Independent.

One of the guests at the party, Sheila O’Brien, of Church Drive, explained why she had decided to support Mr Bond, rather than one of the candidates from a particular party.

She said: “James is the man with people. Everybody around him says he is always with other people and the community.”

That was backed up by Deirdre Deely, who said: “He could represent us without any other party influence.”

Two previous independent councillors, Neville Hughes and Derek Tyler, also showed their support by attending the celebrations.

Mr Hughes, a former Roxeth councillor, said: “An independent is someone who challenges council’s decision making, someone who thinks about people in the Harrow, not the particular political party.”

Councillor Bond’s victory was one of the shocks during dramatic local elections in May, in which he was elected at the expense of former Mayor Eric Silver.

Mr Bond said his priority since then has been the people of Headstone North, with regular residents’ surgeries being held so people can meet him.

He said: “These surgeries take place on Saturday mornings twice a month at two locations within the Headstone North ward.

“I shall serve the community by making myself available to all the residents who live here.”

Edited by Simon Fyles

Residents celebrated independent councillor's historic win

from left: Derek Tyler, James Bond, Neville Hughes

by Yixiang Zeng

Residents from North Harrow celebrated James Bond's local election win in May as an independent on Saturday night.

The event, held by the Headstone North Councillor at St Alban's Church Hall, Norwood Drive, was to thank voters' support and trust.

When talking with one of the guests at the party, Sheila Obrien, of Church Drive, said: “James is the man with people. Everybody around him says he is always with other people and the community.”

Deirdre Deely, of Suffolk Road, said: “He could represent us without any other party's influence.”

Two previous independent councillors Neville Hughes and Derek Tyler also showed their support to their successor.

Mr Hughes, former Roxeth councillor, said: “To some extent, independent is someone who challenges council's decision making, someone thinks about people in the Harrow, not the particular political party.”

Mr Bond said as the new councillor for Headstone North, he has already started holding residents' surgeries so that people can come and meet him at regular intervals.

He said: “These surgeries take place on Saturday mornings twice a month at two locations within the Headstone North ward.

“I shall serve the community by making myself available to all the residents who live here.”

NCTJ News reporting paper answers:

Question One:

A type of much safer glasses is to be trialled in pubs across Oldworth in a bid to reduce injuries and suffers.

The glasses, designed by Oldworth Glass, will be trialled starting from next week in response to Home Office’s calling for a less hazardous pint glass, as a result of an estimated 87,000 injuries are caused each year by traditional pint glasses.

Jon Fetley, marketing director of the company, said: “Our aim is to use a material that will not shard on breaking. It will reduce the number of staff in pubs and clubs who suffers cuts from broken glasses while serving, clearing or washing up.”

But he also admitted that drinkers are very attached to the traditional glass and he said “this has been a key problem to overcome”.

Jan Blomfield, of the government’s Design Against Crime Unit expressed similar concern by saying “drinkers are very attached to their pint glass and we have to deal with that fact”.

He added: “People are used to drinking from plastic or paper cups in many situations but there is widespread feeling that if you go to a pub it is traditional to drink beer from a glass.”

One beer lover from the Oldworth Brewers and Public Houses Association Richard Boatman said: “It’s absolutely true that people don’t like drinking out of plastic, which is quite awful. And if they’re safe, that’s great.

“Plastic ‘glasses’ don’t last as long as the average three-month life span of an actual glass and they’re susceptible to scratching.”

A brewery and pub historian Eric Worthington, 57, of 18 Kerkham Way, Oldworth, said he tried the new glasses and “you can hardly tell them from those being used by every pub up and down the land.

“Even the shape is pretty much the same. There’s just a very slightly different feel to the glass, but it’s hardly noticeable. If they’re safe, that’s great.”

(324 words)

Question Two:

Ainsworth Road Police evacuated the 100-yeard cordon around its station, nearby homes and businesses after a suspected explosive item had been found.

The whole action lasted one hour from 8:30am to 9:30am after the public members had handed in an item likely to be of military munitions.

The Royal Ordnance Corps identified the item, green colour with yellow writing on it, as a suspended Citroen car’s compression unit.

Superintendent Alan Smyth said: “It was better to be safe than sorry.”

(80 words)

Question Three:

An event to find Oldworth city’s favourite nursery rhyme will be launched next Monday.

Voting slips will be available at libraries and readers can vote at oldworth.gov.uk/nurseryrhyme

Results will be revealed in six week’s time for the Oldworth Children’s Library Day.

Voters will have chances to win a puppet pack.

(50 words)

Question Four:


The manager of the city’s main hospital or someone in the senior position of the hospital’s management board:

* How did the hospital come up with such a decision to bar the drunken patients from pubs and clubs in the area?
* How important for a hospital like this to make such a decision to bar drunken patients?
* How did these drunken patients affect hospital’s routine work?
* What is the estimated cost of these hospital facilities damaged by drunken patients?
* When did the incident happen regarding the drunken man punching a female doctor?
* How did the above incident happen?
* What have the hospital done so far after the incident happened apart from deciding to join the local Pubwatch scheme?
* Have other hospitals in the city got similar experiences like their doctors being punched by drunken patients? What did they do to solve the problem?
* Is there any other way to solve the problem instead of preventing them from entering the pubs and clubs in the local area?

Patients from the city’s main hospital:

* Have you heard about the incident that a drunken patient had punched a female doctor at the hospital?
* What is your attitude towards the incident?
* What is your opinion about the hospital’s decision to bar patients from pubs and clubs in the area?
* How serious do you think the drinking problem in this hospital?
* Do you agree with hospital’s decision regarding drunken patients? Why?
* Have these drunken patients every created any trouble to you? What did you do if it happened?

The director of local Pubwatch scheme:

* How effective do you think the scheme can help hospital solve the drunken patients problem?
* How effective in general does the scheme help people regarding their drinking behaviour?
* How much do the participants need to pay to join the scheme?
* How does the scheme work? For example, will any guards be staying at the entrance of the pub or local pub to check people’s identity who want to enter?
* What do pub owners’ attitudes towards the scheme? How do you work with them? Does the scheme affect their business?

Online:

* A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated as information becomes available.
* Web links guiding readers to appropriate sources of information such as the hospital's website, the scheme.
* Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry a full story.
* Start an online reader poll and asking readers whether they agree with hospital’s decision to join in the local pubwatch scheme?
* Invite a doctor from the hospital to write up a blog of the experience which he/she may be insulted by the drunken patients or he/she saw patients are drunken.
* Create an online photo gallery to show a series of pictures of the hospital, the pub, or patients drinking beer and create troubles.

Video:

* Video interviews with key players, such as the manager of the hospital, the patient, and the local Pubwatch scheme director.
* Video a councillor or local MP commenting on the issue.
* Video patients giving sound-bite views of the hospital’s decision.
* Video reporter doing a piece of camera in front of the pubs to introduce and tell the story.
* Video the pub inside and explaining patients from the hospital are usually sitting there to drink beer.
* Video some beers on the tables, and then using figures (the figures show how many patients drinking beers across the city) together to show audience how the beer can affect patients behave oddly.

Other digital interaction:

* Use SMS text messages to break the story and guiding the recipients to your website or newspaper for more information
* Send an e-mail alert to reader subscribers with a link to your website story.
* Invite readers to send back in their text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
* Ask your editor to comment on the story in his print and online publication.
* Set up a Facebook page to invite readers to comment.
* Set up a Twitter account to update the twit and comment on the issue.

Newshire Archaeology Service question three

Question Three:

Dog owners will be able to find pets if they get lost with a new service launched next week.

Beeton Council’s dog wardens will be inserting permanent microchips in the animals, which can be read by a chip scanner. The sessions will be held at Lynhope Pet Stores, Waterson Street.

(50 words)

News writing - West Newtown community association

Question One:

Residents are furious about Andersons' new plan which will remove the Bridge Road greenery area, and are urged to sign a petition opposing the visual distraction.

The plan, proposed two weeks ago by the supermarket, is to move the petrol station from its present position to the junction of the site's access road and Bridge Road itself, which believed will also create traffic problems, according to Colin Robertson, chairman of the West Newtown Community Association.

He said: “That greenery would be removed to the detriment of the visual amenity, and it was the general view that the changes would create an unacceptable eyesore.”

The company claimed the news plans are designed to reconfigure the car park for the customers' benefit but they have now decided to add a huge automated car wash.

Mr Robertson said the vast barn-like building would be wide enough to take two cars going through each of two washers at the same time.

The association has also won local councillors' full support who agreed to oppose the supermarket's proposals.

Councillor Norman Patricks said: “This plan would be an aesthetic disaster. To stick the filling station and a monstrosity of a car wash opposite Bridge Road Methodist Church is ridiculous.

“The church may be a relatively new building, but it won a regional architectural award for its appearance. We welcomed that structure – but not this one.”

Resident Bill Raybould, of 12 Bridge Road, West Newtown, said: “I am very suspicious that Andersons are trying to pave the way for further expansion.

“If they get permission for this, I feel sure it won't be long before the old application for a superstore resurfaces.”

However, Andersons spokesman said they dispute suggestions that their proposal would create traffic hazards, “Indeed we believe it would make the complex safer and easier for customers to use.”

The association was set up in response to Andersons' previous proposals which had been objected largely because of traffic disruption.

(325 words)

Questions Two:

A drinks distribution company will be awarded Wholesaler of the Year by Karlsbrew UK in its centenary year.

Varndell's, the family-run business, is the major distributor for Karlsbtrew throughout the region.

Richard Varnell, company secretary said the award recognised their standing in a very competitive business arena and showed they fulfilled Karlsbrew's expectations as well as it was a tribute to their hard-working employees.

The ceremony will be held at Karlsbrew's national sales conference at Birmingham next month.

(80 words)

Question Three:

A woman had her handbag stolen from her trolley yesterday at about 2:30pm in Kirkham's Supermarket on Ashforth Road, Newtown.

The bag was a distinctive one in yellow leather with red stripes, and she lost it when selecting items from a shelf.

Anyone with information should contact on Newton 331322.

(50 words)

Question Four:

Manager of the local airport:

Why does your company propose to build up a second runway?
How much does it cost to build up the second runway?
What are the profits your company will make from the new proposal?
Will there any environmental damages, such as air pollution or noisy pollution occur because of the new proposal?
If there is any adverse effects, what is your plan to solve it?
Is there any a need to build up a second runway?
Will it truly allow a 35 per cent increase in landing and take-offs?
Are there any problems in landings and take-offs in recent years in the airport?

Local councillor who has a view on the the proposal:

What is your opinion about your local airport's new proposal to build up a second runway?
Will the council's planning committee permit the airport's proposal? And what are the progress has the council made in examining the proposal?
Have the council taken air and noisy pollution into consideration when decide whether should grant the airport the permission to build up the second runway?
If there is any environmental damages because of the second run way? What should council do to help reduce the damages?
Will council conduct a questionnaire or set up a residents poll to get feedback from local people? And see what are their attitudes towards the new proposal?
How does the new proposal affect the local business?
Does the local area truly need a new second runway?

Representative from the local residents association:

What is your opinion of the airport's new proposal regarding building up a second runway?
Do you think your local airport need a second runway?
Are there any environmental problems around the area? For example, air pollution or noisy pollution?
What benefits will the new proposal bring to your town?
What disadvantages does the new proposal bring to the local area?
Are you a regular traveller on the plane? Do you find any problems of the airport runway facilities?

Online:

A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated as information becomes available.
Web links guiding readers to appropriate sources of information such as local airport's website, council website, residents association website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry out a full story.
Set up an online reader poll to ask readers whether they agree with the proposal or not?
Invite someone who lives near the airport to write a blog talk about his experience of being living near the site, such as does air plane affects his daily life?

Video:

Video interviews of the key players – manager of the airport, local councillor, and the rep from the residents association.
Video a local MP commenting on the issue.
Video the reporter doing a piece of camera standing in front of the airport to tell audience about the story
Video local residents who live near the airport giving sound-bite views of the issue.
Video the second runway location, what are the areas the second runway will cover and explain the surrounding situation.
Upload a slide show of pictures of the airport facilities.

Other interaction:

Use sms text messages to break the story and direct recipients to your website or the paper for more information.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his print and online editorial.
Invite readers to send messages back of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
Send an e-mail alert to reader subscribers with a link to your website story.
Set up a Facebook and Twitter page and ask local people to express their opinions freely.

News writing - Duddleston ctiy council

Question 1:

St Benedict's church Rev in Duddleston supports single-sex marriage by believing there is a place for gay people.

The number of civil partnership marriage has increased by 16 per cent in Duddleston, which is one of the only two areas, including Barnsley, that reported a rise, head of registrations Mrs Julia Sutcliff at Duddleston City Council said.

Rev Andrew MacDuffie said: “On Saturday I shall perform the city's first blessing of a single-sex couple after their civil partnership ceremony. We shouldn't have had to wait this long for Duddleston's first blessing.

“What is important is the stability of a relationship, not the couple's sexuality. My personal view is that it is important to enshrine in law anything that overcomes discrimination.

However, neighbouring St Faith's Church turned down a gay couple, Sally Spencer, of Kennedy Road, said: “We would have liked a blessing afterwards at, but our vicar turned us down.

“He just didn't want anything to do with it despite the fact we often attend his services.”

Nationally, Local Government Association survey showed the number of gay weddings fell on average by 55 per cent in the past 12 months.

Adrian Martines, Chair of Duddleston Lesbian and Gay Forum, said: “There was a big pent-up at the end of 2005, which is why so many couple went for civil partnerships as soon as possible after the law changed. A tailing off has been inevitable.”

While locally, the survey reported the number was on year-on-year drops from 31 per cent to 90 per cent among the forty local authorities were surveyed.

Mrs Sutcliff said the ceremonies got off to a relatively slow start in December 2005 and in early 2006 but they believe the situation will now become better.

Mr Martines added Duddleston City Council takes a very positive view of these ceremonies and has earned a reputation of sympathetic help its staff give to same-sex couples.

(325 words)

Questions Two:

A dumped or escaped pig appeared in front of Tony Sainsford's fruit and veg stall guzzling apples
and making a grunting noise on Normanston open market today, RSPCA inspector Geoff Robertshaw said.

According to him, the animal is a Vietnamese pot-bellied pig and sometimes kept as a pet.

“Tony lassoed it, kept it tethered until we arrives and police say no reports of a missing or stolen pig.” Mr Robertshaw added.

Anyone with information should contact on 02924 367560.

(80 words)

Question Three:

Police drug raid recovered an 18-inch tall brass crucifix from a house in Ebling Street, Duddleston, initial inquiries failed to establish where it belongs.

The cross has no decoration or identifying marks, plain squared ends, mounted on a tiered oak plinth.

Anyone with information should contact on 02924 335511.

(50 words)

Question Four:

Headteahcer of the school:

Why does the school install CCTV cameras at toilet?
Have you ever worried about the consequence of the pupils' images that appear online?
Are there any other ways to solve the smoking and graffiti problems?
How serious the smoking and graffiti problems are at the school?
What is the school's plan if unfortunately the images of pupils using toilet appear online?
Is it legal to install CCTV cameras in the toilet?

The angry parent:

What is your opinion of school's CCTV cameras plan?
How do you think it will affect your children?
What is the thing that you have worried most regarding installing CCTV cameras in the toilet?
Have you talked to your local councillor, what suggestions did he provide to you? Does his granddaughter also go to the same school as your children?
Do you have any ideas of solving smoking and graffiti problems instead of installing CCTV cameras in the toilet?

The local councillor whose daughter goes to the school:

What is your opinion about the issue regarding your local school is going to install CCTV cameras in the toilet?
Are you worried about your granddaughter using school's toilet image appears online?
Did council have any plans to work with the school to help reduce smoking and graffiti? What is it?
Do you think installing CCTV cameras in the toilet in order to solve smoking and graffiti is a good way to solve the problems? Why?
Do you support parents' protest to oppose the school's CCTV cameras plan? Why?
Who should be responsible for children's smoking and making graffiti behaviour?

Online:

A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated as information becomes available.
Web links guiding readers to appropriate sources of information such as the school's website, parent's protest website (if there is one), CCTV camera information website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry a full story.
Set up an online reader poll and ask reader whether they agree with the school's plan to install CCTV cameras in the toilet.
Invite a parent who is protesting the school's CCTV cameras plan to write up a blog discussing about the issue and updating the protest's progress.

Video:

Video the interviews of the key players – headteacher of the school, the angry parent, the local councillor, or the pupils.
Video a local MP commenting on the issue.
Video the reporter doing a piece of camera in front of the school to introduce and tell audience the story.
Video local resident giving sound-bite views of the CCTV camera installing in school toilet issue.
Video the school's toilet, and roughly show audience where the CCTV cameras will be installed.

Other interaction:

Use sms text messages to break the story and direct the recipient to your website or newspaper for more information.
Send an e-mail alert to your reader subscribers with a link to your website story.
Invite reader to send in text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his print and online editorial.
Set up an Facebook and Twitter page and let readers to say their opinions freely.

News writing - Newshire archaeology service

Question One:

The site of Beeton Battle has been finally found by Newshire Metal Detecting Group (NMDG), chief archaeologist Simon Ducane at Newshire County Council confirmed.

The 1645 war's battlefield is a mile outside the present city's built-up area, the capital city of Newshire County.

Mr Ducane said: “We are indebted to the group for their five-year search to find the site under the archaeology service's guidance.

“Their work has now borne fruit and members of the metal detecting group have given up many weekends to this search.”

Nationally, archaeologists are worried about the attempts of discovering battles' truth are being jeopardised by amateur treasure hunters' invasion.

The reason is that there is no co-ordinated strategy for trying to ensure that battlefield finds are fully reported and recorded.

Bernard Austerberry, 54, Chairman of the Newshire Metal Detecting Group, said that his group has been in the forefront of advocating a responsible approach to metal detecting, “we are absolutely over the moon to think we have been instrumental in identifying such an important site as this.

“It's taken five years of weekends spent committed to a gradually extending search and we've worked closely with the archaeological service all the way along the line.”

Lain Laidler, 34, a history teacher at Kettledown High School, Beeton, said: “I let out a huge yell of delight when I found the first cannonball at High Meadow.

The group has obviously followed archaeologists' advices, “They removed nothing, carefully returning each item to the ground and marking the spot with a stake”, said Mr Ducane. “When they realised that the number of finds meant there had been a significant battle at the spot, they informed us immediately.”

Laidler added: “After that we found about 20 more cannonballs and some musket balls before we decided to stop and notify the archaeology service.”

The Beeton battle was a key battle fought when the Civil War was moving towards its climax.

(323 words)

Questions Two

Vandals endangered visitors at Beeton Castle on Sunday night when they ripped off fencing panels and handrails between scheduled security patrols of the ruins, according to the council.

There will be a short-term health and safety precaution to prevent access, after replacing the missing items it will reopen again.

The castle is now working English Heritage to see how they can resolve the problems.

The council appeals residents to report suspicious or criminal behaviour to the police.

(80 words)

Questions Three:

Dog warden service at the council is arranging sessions for dog owners to get their dogs microchipped at £10 next week at the Lynhope Pet Stores on Water Street, Beeton.

Each dog will be implanted with a radio-frequency identification micropchip.

The event runs from 10am to 4:30pm everyday.

(50 words)

Questions Four:

Mid-Newshire Hospitals NHS Trust manager:

Why does the old name not reflect the work of a modern hospital?
What confusion has the old name created to the hospital with other ones in the district?
Do you truly believe that changing the name will solve these problems?
What do you think about the survey findings carried out by Health watchdog Beeton Link?
What is the attitude of the hospital itself towards Trust's plan?
What is the meaning of the hospital's old name?

Director of Health watchdog Beeton Link:

What is the outcome of the survey?
How does it reflect local residents' attitude regarding changing the hospital's name?
What is the campaign all about?
Can the campaign solve the problem at the end? Do you think your campaign will save the old name?
What do you think Trust's argument that the old name does not reflect the work of a mordern hospital and creates confusions with other hospitals in the district.

Representative of local residents association, (preferably who is also answered the survey's questions):

What is your opinion about Trust's plan to change the hospital's name?
How important do you think the name for a local hospital?
Have you ever found your local hospital's name a problem?
What do you think Health watchdog Beeton Link's campaign? Do you support them?
Do you know anyone who has got problems with your local hospital's name? Maybe is confused by the location of the hospital, as it does not clearly state as Beeton Hospital, so people do not know where the hospital is?

Online:

A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated as information becomes available.
Web links guiding readers to appropriate sources of information, such as the Trust' website, Health watchdog Beeton Link's website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which carry a full story.
Set up an online reader poll to ask readers whether they are agree with Trust's plan to change the hospital's name.
Invite a representative from Health watchdog Beeton Link to write a blog, and update their everyday campaign.

Video:

Video the interviews with key players: Mid-Newshire Hospitals NHS Trust manager, director of Health watchdog Beeton Link as well as residents representative;
Video councillor or/an local MP commenting on the issue.
Video the reporter doing a piece of camera in front of the hospital and introducing the story.
Video local people giving sound-bite views of the issue.
Video the campaign about the organisation opposing Turst's plan to change the hospital's name.

Other digital interaction:

Use text message to break the story and direct recipients to your website and newspaper for more information.
Send an e-mail alert to reader subscribers with a link to your website story.
Invite readers to send in text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his online and print editorial.
Set up an Facbook and Twitter page for readers and let them discuss the issue.

News writing - Yeltham neighbourhood watch federation

Question One:

A survey shows that residents in Yeltham severally worried about the increasing crimes in the area, which prompted police to conduct further analysis of the findings.

The survey, conducted by Yeltham Neighbourhood Watch Federation (YNWF) and Yeltham Crime Prevention Panel (YCPP), discussed several issues such as burglary, vandalism and robbery that residents are concerned about, according to Rob Litter, Chairman of YNWF.

Mr Litter said: “Some of the findings are not a great surprise in view of the widespread perception that crimes is on the increase.”

Chief Inspector Antony Wardell, of Yeltham Police, said: “We shall be studying the results of the survey with considerable interest. We conduct our own analysis of reported crime as this allows us to target our resources where they are most needed.

“Fear of crime, as distinct from crime itself, is also an important issue because this can impact equally on people's lives. It is important to allay unnecessary fears.”

According to Mr Litter, 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.

While Vandalism is of great concern, 57 per cent of the residents were worried about noisy youngsters hanging about on street after dark, residents over 70-year-old also said they were frightened to go out alone because of the fear of being attacked and robbed.

Jeffrey Steele, Chairman of YCPP, said the YNWF had their full support for this survey, “It highlighted the fears of some of our widely varying communities and has allowed us to identify one particular problem where we believe we can help.

“I hope very much that local businesses will back us with financial support.”

Regarding old pensioners' fear of answering the door to strangers, Gerald Parkins, Chairman of the Lupsham Estate Community Association, Yeltham, said two members of his committee are skilled in providing service to fit the door chains free of charge.

Questions Two:

A widower was burgled at her doorstep in Beck Road, Iiworth today at about 8:45am.

While two men kept telling the 84-year-old the apple tree need some work, the third man entered the kitchen and stole a wallet containing $55 in notes and change.

Two at the front door were in their 30s, fair-haired, rough appearance with local accents, One had a eagle tattoo on his left arm.

Anyone with information should contact Yeltham police on 412311.

(80 words)

Questions Three

A number of dead fish were found in the smallest of the three ponds at Yeltham Park. Findings suggest the death may be natural causes, pollution or a deliberate vandalism act.

Live fish will be kept in quarantine.

Anyone with information should call Yeltham Council's environmental health department on 375222.

(50 words)

Question Four:

Manager of a GPs' surgery

How does the service cuts affect your patient?
How many patients can roughly arrive on time now for appointment after the service cuts?
How many patients can roughly arrive on time for appointment before the service cuts?
Have you talked to your local GP association or local councillor about the issue? What suggestions did they provide?
Why doe the No 126's bus service cuts severally affect your patients?

Director of the bus company

Why do your company cut the service?
How much does your company save after cutting the service?
What did you think about the complaints from the GPs and the patients?
How are you going to resolve it?
Is there any other way the company can do instead of cutting service?

Patient:

How does the service affect you to go to your GP?
Does the bus service's cuts bring any impact on your life?
How long does it take you to your GP before the bus service's change?
Do you truly believe that the bus service's cuts have severally affect your life?
Are there any other routes you can choose to go to your GP (instead of using the current one)?
How long does it take you to your GP after the bus service's change?
Do you think the bus company should be responsible for the result of what they have been doing?

Online:

Write a comprehensive summary of the story, updated it when more information becomes available.
Embedded links guide reader to appropriate sources of information, such as the bus company's website, GP' s surgery website, or the patients' association website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry a full story.
Invite reader to comment on the issue online, and see what can be done to resolve problem brought by the bus service cuts.
Create a slide show of pictures of bus No 126, show the different stops before the service cuts as well as after the service cuts, as well as show the crowds try to get on the bus.

Other digital interaction:

Using text messages to break the story and direct the recipients to your website or newspaper for more information.
Set up an e-mail alert to tell your reader subscribers about the story link of your website.
Invite a patient to write up a blog talking about the inconvenience of the bus service cuts which affect his attendance to his GP.
Set up a facebook or Twitter page and invite readers to discuss the issue.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his print and online editorial.

Video

Video the key players of their interviews: manager of a Gps' surgery, director of the bus company, patient.
Video a local councillor or a local MP to comment on the issue.
Video the reporter standing in front of the camera talking about the story, like doing a piece of camera of him/her introduce the story.
Video the patient standing at the bus stop and waiting for the bus. (but need to be carefully of not identifying him/her)
Video residents giving sound-bite views of the issue.

News writing - Sidston trading standards department

Question One:

A campaign to crack down bogus organic food is to be launched in Sidston, according to senior Trading Standards Officer Kenneth Pindar.

The inquiry, which will begin this week, is to look at sale of ordinary meat labelled as more costly organic products.

He said: “It is a crime which may appear to carry little risk because most shoppers have no way of telling if they have been duped, and the incentives to cheat are considerable.”

According to Mr Pindar, an ordinary chicken can sell for £10-£11 when labelled as organic while beefsteak can make more than £29 per kg.

In order to change the situation, a new test has been brought in with success by Food Standards Agency to measure the quantity of antibiotics in meat and see if it is a genuine organic product.

Mr Pindar said: “A local market trader was fined for re-labelling ordinary beef as organic, in a neighbouring area a producer was found to be selling allegedly organic sausages at a farmers' market.”

Figures show organic food sales are rising by 12 per cent a year nationally and currently are worth £1.2 billion annually, with sales of organic meat reaching about £200million a year.

Lawrence Platt, an organic beef farmer at Westfield, a village five miles from Sidston, said he fully support this campaign, “there are some of us who can point the finger at traders we believe might be trying to pull the wool over the public's eyes.

“They deserve whatever they get. It's a scam that must be stopped.”

Meanwhile, spot checks will be continued and suspected traders will face fines of up to £5,000 for each offence if they fraud.

A spokesman for Soil Association said: “We would ask people to report dubious traders, either to us or Trading Standards.

Shoppers should be able to have confidence in all the genuine traders in organic produce, whether it is vegetables, fruit, bread or meat.”

(324 words)

Question Two

Mr Arthur Staten was devastated to lose his twelve pigeons and newly-hatched chicks during a fire incident yesterday around 7:15pm.

The 70-year-old widower, living at 16 Wakeman Road, Sidston, called the fire service when he saw the fire in a series of wooden outbuildings at a bungalow.

Two fire crews spent more than two hours extinguishing the blaze and neighbouring roads were closed due to smoke.

The incident started when rubbish was being burned in the garden.

(80 words)

Questions Three

Sidston Merry Choristers is recruiting new members to join their choir.

They practise every Wednesday evening at Sidston Girl's High School between 7pm and 9pm.

There is a fee for practice nights except to offer newcomers the first two sessions free.

Anyone interested should contact Janie Timbers on Sidston 376568.

(50 words)

Questions Four:

Head Teacher of the school:

Why is there a need to add Chinese to the school's curriculum?
Do other school's curriculum in your borough also include Chinese? And what makes the school to do so?
How does the school reach its decision?
What do the the parents' opinion on the issue?
How important is it to learn Chinese?
Does the school's curriculum also include French, Germany or other foreign languages?

Representative of the parents:

What do you think the school's decision regarding including Chinese as part of the curriculum?
Do you want your children to learn another language? Why?
Why do you think the school make such a decision?
Do you think it is right to include Chinese as part of the curriculum?
Do you see the change just as to learn a foreign language, (no matter Chinese, Germany, French and at end of the day it is just a language) or you see it indicate another meaning - it is believed that China will become the next economic power, so learning Chinese might create more opportunities for the children themselves? What is your opinion about this?

Pupils:

What do you think to learn Chinese if your school include Chinese as part of the curriculum?
Are you learning other languages at the moment? Do you like learning languages?
Do you agree with school's new curriculum? Why?
What is the most difficult thing you can imagine now to learn a new language?
What is the best way to learn a language you think? For example, maybe go to a foreign country and stay there for a while, so you may learn quicker than learning a foreign language actually in your own country? What do you think?

Online:

A comprehensive summary of the story, regularly updated when information becomes available.
Web links guiding reader to appropriate sources of information such as the school's website, the BBC Learning Chinese website.
Cross refer to your newspaper which will carry a full story.
Invite reader to comment about the story and ask their views about the news curriculum planned by the school.
Create an online slide show to show the Chinese character samples as well as the Chinese culture.

Video:

Video key players of their interviews: head teacher from the school, parents representative, and the pupils.
Video pupils are learning Chinese.
Video local people's sound-bite views of the new curriculum.
Video local councillor or local MP commenting on the new curriculum.
Use the video of how the Chinese characters like as some background information in the news story.

Interaction:

Using text messages to break down the story and guide the recipients to your website or the newspaper about the story.
Set an e-mail alert to reader subscribers with the link to your web story.
Set up facebook and twitter page and invite locals to join and discuss their opinion on the new Chinese curriculum.
Invite reader to send in text messages of their views and publish them on your website or in the paper.
Ask your editor to comment on the story in his online and print editorial.