Generation crunch received another blow this week with The Guardian announcing that it would not be running its graduate trainee scheme this year.
The scheme attracts hundreds of applicants every year and is slavered over by student journalists across the country as they push on to their goal.
Yet, it was not to be and a career in PR or communications seems ever closer for this years graduates.
Declining newspaper sales, a loss of revenue from advertising and the general economic climate has led to the majority of newspaper companies freezing recruitment and trainee journalist jobs have become an endangered species.
Last week at Norton College, Sheffield, a group of graduates successfully completed their NCTJ fast track course. Only two of them have found jobs.
But I will keep on trying and onwards and upwards I will go to 300wpm shorthand. Surely that will stand out on the CV. Or perhaps an exclusive with Obama would do the trick.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Another nail in the coffin for generation crunch.
Thursday, 22 January 2009
A new saviour chef has been crowned.
Move over Jamie Oliver. Heston Blumenthal is the new favourite this week in the press after transforming the floundering Little Chef restaurants on Channel 4's 'Big Chef takes on Little Chef.'
The Michelin Star Chef took over the Little Chef at Popham near Basingstoke and his re-invention of its interior, decor and menu has received rave reviews.
Better quality ingredients and traditional British dishes were his focus along with some surprising additions, including singing toilets.
Blumenthal appeared genuine in his cause unlike Little Chef boss Ian Pegler whose ability to vomit marketing spiel was impressive. He also lost his appeal after his continued criticism of Blumenthal's menu, pompously advising him: "to make the chilli hotter."
Yet the nostalgic hope remains that Little Chef can be transformed and re-enter its home in the nation's hearts. I for one hope that Heston succeeds.
Saturday, 17 January 2009
A Rite of Passage
Media law is a rite of passage that all journalists must suffer. Sadly this necessary evil is proving to be truly frustrating. Defamation fills my mind and I'm now off to bed cuddling my trusty McNae.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
The Deep Freeze
Whilst driving home from Southwold today I stumbled across a scene that was reminiscent of Swan Lake combined with ITV's Dancing on Ice. In the middle of a misty Suffolk marsh we enjoyed two swans performing their very own pas-de-deux. They slipped and stumbled across the ice struggling to cope with the unknown conditions. But they had an appreciative audience and we headed home to our central heating smug and smiling.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
Blazers make little difference
Today I endured a joyous train journey squashed into one carriage with a bunch of horny teenagers from Notredame High School in Norwich.
They proceeded to sit on my suitcase, spray everyone with nasty cheap deodrant and discuss their apparently rampant sex lives.
There have been numerous complaints in the local press about the Norwich to Lowestoft service and the behaviour of the children on it. But little seems to have changed.
The school assures us they are taking measures to tackle the behaviour but other than introducing shiny new ties and blazers I see no difference.
They proceeded to sit on my suitcase, spray everyone with nasty cheap deodrant and discuss their apparently rampant sex lives.
There have been numerous complaints in the local press about the Norwich to Lowestoft service and the behaviour of the children on it. But little seems to have changed.
The school assures us they are taking measures to tackle the behaviour but other than introducing shiny new ties and blazers I see no difference.
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Christmas Shelter Appeal
By Hannah Seaman
A homeless shelter in Barnsley is appealing for volunteers this Christmas so that they can open for longer hours over the festive period.
The shelter is organised by the voluntary group Barnsley Homelessness and has run for the past three years. It is hosted by the YMCA and provides food, bedding, clothing, showers and a warm, safe place for around 30 people to sleep.
This year the group want to open the shelter for longer hours, especially on Christmas day. It needs about 40 volunteers to help with the preparation of meals and the general running of the shelter.
David Brannan, 57, Barnsley Homelessness organiser and volunteer said: “I have helped at the shelter for the past two years and it is a really brilliant way to help those that are less fortunate. It gives a tremendous sense of having done something special over Christmas which is refreshing when we constantly face a commercial overkill.”
It will offer bed, breakfast and an evening meal from 5pm on the 24th December. It will continue on the 25th and 26th between 5pm and 10am. It will close at 10am on the 27th.
Barnsley Homelessness also wants to set up a more permanent shelter in Barnsley that is open all year round.
Mr Brannan said: “Other towns have these facilities but they do not exist in Barnsley. If the homeless in Barnsley want shelter many may have to travel to Sheffield or Doncaster. A shelter should be all year and not just for Christmas.
“With the economic down turn it is even more important that there are facilities for the homeless. It is entirely possible we will see the number of homeless increase with many people losing their homes over the next year.”
Volunteers need to be aged 18 or over and willing to offer a minimum of two hours between 4pm and 11am on the dates above.
They should be free to attend a briefing about inductions, roles and health and safety on either Saturday 6th December at 4pm or Tuesday 9th of December at 7pm at the YMCA Barnsley.
For further information email barnsleyhomelessness@gmail.com, or call the YMCA 01126 213123.
A homeless shelter in Barnsley is appealing for volunteers this Christmas so that they can open for longer hours over the festive period.
The shelter is organised by the voluntary group Barnsley Homelessness and has run for the past three years. It is hosted by the YMCA and provides food, bedding, clothing, showers and a warm, safe place for around 30 people to sleep.
This year the group want to open the shelter for longer hours, especially on Christmas day. It needs about 40 volunteers to help with the preparation of meals and the general running of the shelter.
David Brannan, 57, Barnsley Homelessness organiser and volunteer said: “I have helped at the shelter for the past two years and it is a really brilliant way to help those that are less fortunate. It gives a tremendous sense of having done something special over Christmas which is refreshing when we constantly face a commercial overkill.”
It will offer bed, breakfast and an evening meal from 5pm on the 24th December. It will continue on the 25th and 26th between 5pm and 10am. It will close at 10am on the 27th.
Barnsley Homelessness also wants to set up a more permanent shelter in Barnsley that is open all year round.
Mr Brannan said: “Other towns have these facilities but they do not exist in Barnsley. If the homeless in Barnsley want shelter many may have to travel to Sheffield or Doncaster. A shelter should be all year and not just for Christmas.
“With the economic down turn it is even more important that there are facilities for the homeless. It is entirely possible we will see the number of homeless increase with many people losing their homes over the next year.”
Volunteers need to be aged 18 or over and willing to offer a minimum of two hours between 4pm and 11am on the dates above.
They should be free to attend a briefing about inductions, roles and health and safety on either Saturday 6th December at 4pm or Tuesday 9th of December at 7pm at the YMCA Barnsley.
For further information email barnsleyhomelessness@gmail.com, or call the YMCA 01126 213123.
Life-line for rape crisis centre
By Hannah Seaman
The rape crisis centre in Barnsley which was facing closure is finally able to celebrate its 20th anniversary after securing emergency funding from the government.
Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Helpline will receive £48,000.00 of the £705,000 announced nationally. Nineteen other centres in England and Wales will also benefit.
Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, announced the fund back in March 2008. But the money will only keep the centres open until March 2009.
Dr Nicole Westmarland, Chair of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said: "Thanks to the emergency fund, 2008 has been the first year that no rape crisis centre has closed. It is our hope that this is a turning point, but for this to be the case we need urgent discussions to take place about what will happen from March 2009."
Katie Russell, 27, Development Worker at BSARCH and Yorkshire & Humber Representative for Rape Crisis England & Wales, said that they were very relieved to secure funding and without it they would have been in dire straights.
She said “We would have had to make staff redundant and wind down some of our services. But our future still remains uncertain and funding continues to be a problem.”
Last week Shadow Minister for Women, Theresa May MP, visited BSARCH at its new offices at Voluntary Action Barnsley in the town centre. She has continually raised the plight of rape crisis centres in the House of Commons.
She said: “The establishment of the one-year emergency fund is a welcome step, but it is frankly ridiculous for services as important as Rape Crisis centres to be living from hand to mouth each month.”
A recent report, by the Women's Resource Centre & Rape Crisis (England & Wales), revealed that more and more centres are closing. It said that in 1984 there were 68 centres in England and Wales but today only 38 remain. Nine have closed in the last five years.
BSARCH is a voluntary organisation and is responsible for its own funding. It relies on a team of four paid workers and 27 trained volunteers who provide free, confidential, counselling to females who are victims of sexual violence. Its helpline handles 500 calls per year and 120-150 women per year attend face to face counselling.
Miss Russell said: “Using local population figures and published research, we estimate there are around 22,560 women living in the Barnsley area who could benefit from our services.”
The funding will allow BSARCH to continue its existing services and to pilot weekly meetings for young women who have suffered sexual abuse.
Miss Russell said that there is still a lot of stigma around sexual violence and people are often reluctant to come forward and talk.
For the last six years BSARCH has received grants from the Big Lottery Fund and it has recently reapplied to them for £500,000 over the next four years. It receives £5,000 per year from Barnsley Borough Council.
For further information visit www.bsarch.org. Or if you are victim of sexual violence call their emergency helpline on 01226 298560.
The rape crisis centre in Barnsley which was facing closure is finally able to celebrate its 20th anniversary after securing emergency funding from the government.
Barnsley Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Helpline will receive £48,000.00 of the £705,000 announced nationally. Nineteen other centres in England and Wales will also benefit.
Harriet Harman, Minister for Women and Equality, announced the fund back in March 2008. But the money will only keep the centres open until March 2009.
Dr Nicole Westmarland, Chair of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said: "Thanks to the emergency fund, 2008 has been the first year that no rape crisis centre has closed. It is our hope that this is a turning point, but for this to be the case we need urgent discussions to take place about what will happen from March 2009."
Katie Russell, 27, Development Worker at BSARCH and Yorkshire & Humber Representative for Rape Crisis England & Wales, said that they were very relieved to secure funding and without it they would have been in dire straights.
She said “We would have had to make staff redundant and wind down some of our services. But our future still remains uncertain and funding continues to be a problem.”
Last week Shadow Minister for Women, Theresa May MP, visited BSARCH at its new offices at Voluntary Action Barnsley in the town centre. She has continually raised the plight of rape crisis centres in the House of Commons.
She said: “The establishment of the one-year emergency fund is a welcome step, but it is frankly ridiculous for services as important as Rape Crisis centres to be living from hand to mouth each month.”
A recent report, by the Women's Resource Centre & Rape Crisis (England & Wales), revealed that more and more centres are closing. It said that in 1984 there were 68 centres in England and Wales but today only 38 remain. Nine have closed in the last five years.
BSARCH is a voluntary organisation and is responsible for its own funding. It relies on a team of four paid workers and 27 trained volunteers who provide free, confidential, counselling to females who are victims of sexual violence. Its helpline handles 500 calls per year and 120-150 women per year attend face to face counselling.
Miss Russell said: “Using local population figures and published research, we estimate there are around 22,560 women living in the Barnsley area who could benefit from our services.”
The funding will allow BSARCH to continue its existing services and to pilot weekly meetings for young women who have suffered sexual abuse.
Miss Russell said that there is still a lot of stigma around sexual violence and people are often reluctant to come forward and talk.
For the last six years BSARCH has received grants from the Big Lottery Fund and it has recently reapplied to them for £500,000 over the next four years. It receives £5,000 per year from Barnsley Borough Council.
For further information visit www.bsarch.org. Or if you are victim of sexual violence call their emergency helpline on 01226 298560.
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