Guest Speaker-Boyd Farrow-Freelance Journalist

Boyd Farrow was the fifth guest speaker to visit the journalism students at UCF. He told of his travels to all corners of the globe with his journalistic and 'blagging' skills.

Originally Boyd aspired to be a film journalist but found it tough to break into an increasingly competitive industry. Instead he went into business journalism and used this as his angle into the industry.

During the 1980's he got a job working for Screen International, the magazine all about the business of film, and which during his time he told of meeting all of his idols except Woody Allen, including blagging hs way into pretending to be assisstant to Robert De Niro's photographer.

Unfortunately Boyd eventually became disillusioned and cynical with the film industry and decided a change was needed. And thus he began freelancing, admitting he has many a time 'blagged' his way into first class plane seats and better hotel rooms in return for writing a favourable review of the hotel or airline.

He told of the flexibility needed to be a freelance writer, admitting he rarely gets up before noon and works around three days per week. Maybe not exactly what first year university students should be told.

A few students admitted to feeling slighty skeptical of his ethics, stating he was happy to blag as much frre stuff as possible, yet when questioned of his views on the new generation of multi-tasking journalists (writer, photographer etc in one) he was unwilling to “take the food from someone else’s plate.”

Guest Speaker-Helen Gilchrist-Stranger Magazine

From humble beginnings being given away at car boot sales to nation wide sales of around 15,000 copies every month, Stranger magazine has become a leading light in Cornish youth conscience. It has become a great advertisement to the rest of the country of the creative industries Cornwall has to offer, showing the innovation and eclecticism of the arts and music scene in the county, along with the bustling surfing scene.

Considering this growth the magazine has never lost its original ethos; to be environmentally, ethically and socially conscious, printed on recycled paper using sustainable vegetable based ink, concentrating on the 18-35 year olds of the region. Editor Helen Gilchrist, wanted it to be a collectable and high quality publication, informing its readers whilst being aware of its impact, socially and environmentally.

There have been testing times though. Funding has always been a major factor in the running of the magazine. Gilchrist applied to the Princes' Trust and other similar establishments but soon succumbed to the advertisers, but in an almost impossible situation cited it is hard to sell advertising in a new publication.

Luckily Helen and Stranger fought through the face of adversity and onto the shelves of 180 outlets, selling an additional 300 copies with the advent of its website, which recieves on average 400,000 hits per month, plus at least 250 suscribers, most likely Cornish 'ex-pats' Helen admits.

Stranger is taking some time out until the new year, in order to compile exciting new ideas, but will surely come back with the freshness its readers have become so accustomed to and fly off the shelves at an even greater rate.

News Writing Exercise-Moonville Crash Busts Drug Dealers

A man has died and a policeman injured after a car crash in Moonville town centre last night.

A rucksack containing £30,000 worth of cannabis resin and £17,000 worth of cocaine was found in the car, a red VW Golf. Police suspect that the driver panicked when he saw the police cars blue lights and lost control, hitting the shop front.

Police have set up a hotline and are appealing for witnesses. Detective Chief Inspector Angelica Stripes said, 'We are searching for the passenger of the vehicle who fled the scene. He is described as slim, short – around five feet eight inches tall – with a pale complexion and dark spiky hair.'

It is believed at the time of the crash he was wearing red converse shoes, skinny jeans and a brown leather bomber jacket. The identity of the dead man has not yet been established but police suspect they were both local and known by drug users in the area.

PC Rodgers, who suffered fractures to the nose and leg has been suspended with full pay as the police launch an internal investigation.

The incident held up traffic at the junction of Scar Street and High Street for two hours and was attended by two police cars and two ambulances.

Police Hotline: Moonville - 212121

News Writing Exercise-Legionnaire's Outbreak at Local Hospital

Croxford hospital has been closed today due to an outbreak of Legionnaire's Disease in the maternity department.

The outbreak was confirmed at 7pm yesterday evening by a Croxford NHS Trust statement and the hospital was closed to incoming patients from 10am this morning.

All patient awaiting non-emergency operations are being sent home.

One new born baby, two patients who have recently given birth and a midwife are being treated for the disease but are responding well to treatment.

Lilly Harborne, 59, said: “My daughter Debbie had the baby, a little boy, on Friday, but was sent home last night after her baby became ill. They’ve kept the baby in hospital for treatment and we’re not allowed to visit at the moment. We are all absolutely distraught.”

Investigators believe the disease originated in the air conditioning system, which has since been closed down.

There is a large possibility of further cases as the incubation period of the disease is 2-10 days, although it is not contagious so there is no possibility of infected patients infecting others.

The hospital has set up a hotline: 01326 400 400

News Writing Exercise-Megabucks Protesters Dig In

A group of protesters are making their voices heard by climbing trees at the site of a proposed new Megabucks.

Contractors for the supermarket chain were scheduled to start tree-felling on a copse in Moonville, Wishingshire this morning but are being held up by protesters climbing trees and digging tunnels underground.

The campaign is being spear-headed by Joseph Bloggs, 24, who shacked up in a tree two weeks ago, along with twenty other eco-warriors and has had a court order authorizing his immediate removal.

‘I’m not going anywhere. They will have to drag us from these branches,’ he said. ‘There are already empty shops in Moonville, this will only make things worse.’

They are protesting against the proposed building of a superstore along with a car park, petrol station and restaurant plus up to seventy houses when a superstore already exists on the outskirts of the town.

Michael Meeting, planning manager at Wishingshire District Council said the town was in need of vital regeneration and having the store on the high street would draw more visitors to other shops.

Around 1700 local residents signed a petition against the building of the store and many older residents are upset as the towns’ war memorial would be relocated to make way for heavy site traffic.

A Megabucks spokeswoman reiterated that all the trees cut down would be replaced elsewhere and added, ‘A vast majority of local residents want the new store.’

Toby Gunn, 65, works 30ft from what would become the Megabucks back gate said, ‘A new store would be fantastic for the town. It would create more jobs and more business.’

Falmouth and Penryn-Cornwall Film Fest Hits Falmouth

The annual Cornwall Film Festival kicks off this weekend at Falmouth's National Mritime Museum and The Princess Pavilion. This year's programme includes the premieres of five feature films shot by Cornish film makers including The Midnight Drives directed by Mark Jenkin and Dressing Granite directed by Bill Scott. The Cornish Premiers of the South African comedy Bunny Chow directed by John Barker, and the Gary Hustwit documentary Helvetica which explores global visual culture.The premier of An Jowl yn Agas Kegin – The Devil in your Kitchen, directed by Brett Harvey winner of the 2006 Govynn Kernewek Award and over 150 other films by Cornish film makersincluding drama, documentaries and animation.

There will also be The Big Pitcher competition, where prospective film makers have two minutes to pitch a film idea with the chance of winning £100 to make a film, plus the premieres of last year's winning film.

Professional development events will be running which include practical workshops giving tips on using low budget lighting and HD cameras and lectures from industry professionals. Also on the bill is the return of Board Shorts at the Sandsifter, Godrevey, promising action packed surf films, live music and DJ's. and a two day Festival of young peoples' film has been organised by young people from across Cornwall for under 18s only.

Contact the Festival Office on 01209 204655.
Tickets can be purchased from the Princess Pavilion Box Office Tel: 01326 211222 (Mon-Fri 9am-1pm or on the door s.t.a.).
Weekend Season Ticket £33 / £27 concsDay Ticket £14 / £12 ConcsSingle Event £6 / £5 Concs

Guest Speaker-Sue Roberts-PCC

The third in the series of Guest Speakers who have come to University College Falmouth to advise first year students on a variety of topics related to journalism was Sue Roberts, External Affairs Manager for the Press Complaints Commission (PCC).

There has been some form of self-regulation within the industry since 1953, when the Press Council was formed. This acted as a watchdog of the industry until 1991 when it was replaced by the PCC after there was a decline in confidence from members of the press and some MPs

The PCC is an independent body, dealing with complaints from members of the public in relation to editorial content within newspapers and magazines. It aims to respond to most complaints within 35 days, at no cost to the complainant.In 2006 there were 3,325 complaints. Of these only approximately 25% were regarding privacy. The most common complaint is over accuracy of published content.

The PCC publish a Code of Practice, which is reviewed every year, which provides the framework of the self-regulation of the industry. This code helps ensure no inaccurate or misleading stories are published, and if so that they are quickly and publicly altered. It also deals with complaints from people who feel they have had their privacy intruded, although many now feel that the PCC has begun to side with the newspapers in many cases, but the PCC strongly deny this.

News Writing Exercise-Londoners Most At Risk From I.D Fraudsters

Reports of identity fraud increased by more than two thirds in the first half of this year according to new research carried out by a leading credit rating company.

The report by Experian says that London remains the identity fraud capital of the U.K, stating those living within the M25 are three and a half times more likely to fall victim, especially residents of Kensington who are almost five times more at risk compared to the national average.

Present address fraud, which involves intercepting mail, remains the most common crime representing 39% of frauds reported in the first half of this year and reports of forwarding address fraud rose the most up to 32% in the same six month period, compared to 22% for the second half of 2006.

The hardest hit financially are loan providers, where the average cost per case has risen to £6,138, compared to £4,797 for the second half of last year. Credit and store card issuers are also among the most commonly targeted but are successfully taking steps to reduce their exposure.

Around 55% of victims self diagnosed the problem, the largest proportion ever, which suggests people are becoming more aware of the possibilities of becoming a victim.

Fraud and Regulatory Compliance Director at Experian, Helen Lord, commented, ‘Although some people are more likely than others to be targeted, everyone is a potential victim. People need to take active steps to protect themselves, including regularly checking their credit report. This enables people to quickly spot any fraudulent activity and seek assistance in sorting it out.’

Tips on avoiding becoming a victim, especially when moving house, include removing your name from the electoral register, informing banks and utility companies and redirecting mail to your new address for at least six months.

Despite taking all measures when he moved to East London, Joseph Bloggs, 37, was defrauded of £6,500 on a credit card by fraudsters who also ran up a debt of £500 with a utility company and even set up a computer company in his name.

‘Despite doing all the sensible things I still fell victim. It is an extremely stressful and unnerving experience and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone,’ he said.




367 Words.

College News-Dartington Merger Plans Announced

The proposed plans to merge Dartington University and University College Falmouth have finally been announced on both establishments websites.

On 1st January 2008 the two colleges will combine and over the next three years courses from Dartington will relocate to a new purpose-built specialist accommodation at Falmouth from September 2010. This will create new courses in Music, Theatre and Choreography at Falmouth along with strengthening the existing Writing and Art courses and open a range of collaborative opportunities for the Arts, Media and Design.

Students starting courses at Dartington in September 2008 will study there for two years, before moving to the new accommodation in Falmouth in 2010 to complete their degrees.
Student numbers will slowly increase by around 225 per year up to more than 4000 by 2012/2013, when the University College will be able to apply for full University status.

The merger is estmated to cost around £20m and the additional influx of students would give a huge boost to the local economy.

Penryn resident Cathy Richardson said, 'This would be really good for Falmouth and Penryn. The diversity of people would grow even more and Penryn especially would feel the benefit of 1500 more students spending their money here.'

But not all are in favour of the move. The 'Save Dartington Community Campaign', consisting of,
amongst others; local residents, lecturers and students past and present, is calling for a years moratorium and a public enquiry in order to explore other options and save the college from closure, citing the Totnes area could lose £5m a year along with a large part of it's history and culture.

In their 'Peoples' report' they state the implications for Falmouth and Penryn could go as far as 'a full-time war' between students and residents and compare moving from Dartington to Tremough like going from 'a dream to a nightmare'.

Totnes town council finance committee acting chairman Mike Hannaford said,'We are hoping that a public inquiry will open the whole thing up again for discussion. Clearly we want to change the decision so that the funding comes to sustain the college at Dartington.'

The Peoples' report can be found here http://www.savedartingtoncollege.org/webdb/application/workfiles/resources/peoples%20report.pdf