Filming means going that extra mile – high!

Swindon's magic roundabout from top of high tower!

This week we've been filming with Wiltshire Fire Brigade looking at the valuable, but often unseen work, done by the fire safety specialists. A team within the fire brigade works day in day out, trying to prevent fires and accidents. They go into … [Read more...]

Disabled? In receipt of benefits? Need social care?

Are there any thorny questions around these laws?

This is a different sort of blog for me - it's my journalist head trying to get at the truth of the matter, so this will be particularly relevant to you if you are disabled, in receipt of benefits or in need of social care. Two important pieces of … [Read more...]

Could you be a stand-up comedian? Are you the next Billy Connelly?

Could you do stand-up comedy! I know I wouldn't have the bottle.....

Christmas is a really good time to review television programmes for a blogger like me as part of my celebrations involves seeking out interesting and offbeat programmes. Last night I watched Imagine...the Art of Stand-Up (Part One) and I really … [Read more...]

Ever made a mistake? Review it!

Be careful when accusing a journalist of making a mistake - it could bite you!

What's the worst mistake you've ever made? I'd love to know --- and what did you do about it? I recently read in my local newspaper a letter from a new restaurant owner in Swindon about a review written by a journalist. She's attended his/her … [Read more...]

9/11 Ten years on – terror attack or not?

Ten years after 9/11 - Question Time

Question Time has returned and they are talking about 9/11 - not surprising given this weekend's tenth anniversary. But just before that on BBC3 was a programme involving a group of young people being taken around America who were all convinced … [Read more...]

Gadgets, Stephen Fry and me!

What gadget stands out for you?

I can't help but watch this Channel 4 programme about Stephen Fry's 100 gadgets. I'm falling for this latest in a long line of 'Top 100 this or that' and I can't help it. Does someone as intelligent as Stephen Fry like the same gadgets as me, … [Read more...]

Television journalists have to jump through hoops to tell simple stories

Thank goodness we can reveal wrongdoing...

As I listen to the latest on the phone-hacking scandal, the select committee, the investigation by a judge and so on - I reflect on the hoops us journalists who work in television have to go through to tell the simplest of stories.   I'm … [Read more...]