Another year has flown by and we are now preparing to usher in 2011! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from Arm Chairs & Deck Chairs, the blog that covers news and opinion relating to the towns of High Wycombe and Bournemouth.
At the beginning of this year, I was busy with The Collected Thoughts of Nobody Special before the transition to the blog in its current form. By focussing on localised and specialist content, including issues relating to Wycombe Wanderers F.C and Bournemouth news, I have been able to concentrate on matters close to my heart. It has also enabled me to participate in active discussions, including those surrounding the tense developments in Wycombe Wanderers' proposals to build a new stadium in Booker.
I am delighted to have been able to contribute to the club fanzine, The Wanderer, and express my views on all things WWFC.
Throughout 2011, the remit of this blog will continue to be to provide news and opinion from the same locales with a strong emphasis on the travails of Wycombe Wanderers too.
If you have an opinion on any matter relating to High Wycombe or Bournemouth, whether it be the stadium plan, the High Speed Rail Link (HS2) through Buckinghamshire or Bournemouth's ever changing news landscape, then I'd love to publish your contributions to the debate. Please feel free to tweet me @williwycombe, email me at willgeldart@hotmail.co.uk or phone the newsdesk through Skype by searching for williwycombe.
Have a great Christmas and an even better New Year.
williwycombe
Showing posts with label high wycombe. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high wycombe. Show all posts
Saturday, 25 December 2010
Monday, 22 November 2010
Pudsey Bear and the Peculiarities of Local News
There is no doubt that the way we consume news has transformed the media landscape, even at a local level.
Improvements in access to news and journalism mean that even the more obscure stories, often overlooked when browsing through the print version of a favoured publication, can achieve a high-ranking status owing to their popularity online.
As web news channels rank their stories in terms of most read and popularity, nuggets of news gold are unearthed as they rise to prominence.
As Bournemouth's Daily Echo launches an internet research project to gauge how users view content online, the peculiar story of how a famous fundraising mascot 'nearly caused a riot' at a local school finds itself top of the charts as residents revel in its newsworthy peculiarity.
Cue my own surprise whilst reading the headline 'Children in Need fundraiser cancelled after Pudsey sparks near riot' as I trawled through the daily digest sent to my email inbox.
Pudsey Bear, the furry face of the Children in Need telethon was due to appear at Ashdown Technology College, Canford Heath however his suprise appearance resulted in hundereds of children stampeding to greet his arrival and that of a local TV crew by helicopter on the school field.
As a result, the decision was taken to halt proceedings and a planned non-uniform day was scrapped as punishment and rescheduled.
Despite the relatively comical nature of the piece, it is perhaps a sad indictment that the paper's headline story, 'Help David, 5, make the most of his last weeks of life' was relegated to the number five slot on the most-read list.
Contrast this with High Wycombe's Bucks Free Press and it's stories of the day, the most obscure relating to the planned entrace by Father Christmas by air ambulance having to be toned down to the slightly less glamorous arrival by fire engine after an emergency call-out for the Thames Valley and Chiltern helicopter. Presumably, his reindeer were unavailable.
This gem has only managed to rank number eight in the most-read standings as the more sobering 'Fire at student halls' and 'Linford Christie unable to attend Wycombe court appearance' hold sway. Viva the (social media) revolution.
Improvements in access to news and journalism mean that even the more obscure stories, often overlooked when browsing through the print version of a favoured publication, can achieve a high-ranking status owing to their popularity online.
As web news channels rank their stories in terms of most read and popularity, nuggets of news gold are unearthed as they rise to prominence.
As Bournemouth's Daily Echo launches an internet research project to gauge how users view content online, the peculiar story of how a famous fundraising mascot 'nearly caused a riot' at a local school finds itself top of the charts as residents revel in its newsworthy peculiarity.
Cue my own surprise whilst reading the headline 'Children in Need fundraiser cancelled after Pudsey sparks near riot' as I trawled through the daily digest sent to my email inbox.
Pudsey Bear, the furry face of the Children in Need telethon was due to appear at Ashdown Technology College, Canford Heath however his suprise appearance resulted in hundereds of children stampeding to greet his arrival and that of a local TV crew by helicopter on the school field.
As a result, the decision was taken to halt proceedings and a planned non-uniform day was scrapped as punishment and rescheduled.
Despite the relatively comical nature of the piece, it is perhaps a sad indictment that the paper's headline story, 'Help David, 5, make the most of his last weeks of life' was relegated to the number five slot on the most-read list.
Contrast this with High Wycombe's Bucks Free Press and it's stories of the day, the most obscure relating to the planned entrace by Father Christmas by air ambulance having to be toned down to the slightly less glamorous arrival by fire engine after an emergency call-out for the Thames Valley and Chiltern helicopter. Presumably, his reindeer were unavailable.
This gem has only managed to rank number eight in the most-read standings as the more sobering 'Fire at student halls' and 'Linford Christie unable to attend Wycombe court appearance' hold sway. Viva the (social media) revolution.
Wednesday, 30 June 2010
We'll Fight the 'Germans' on the Beaches and Outside Pubs
One unfortunate gentleman in High Wycombe, sporting a German national team football shirt on Sunday, was assaulted after leaving the Antelope Pub.
The 31-year-old man was punched but reportedly not injured following the game. Thought to be English, word on the web is that the man in question was making a nuisance of himself in the pub and revelling in England's 4-1 demise at the feet of arch-rivals, Germany.
We're a civilised folk here at Arm Chairs & Deck Chairs so we do not advocate groups of marauding hooligans assaulting members of the public for their footballing allegiances however perhaps this chap should have been more tactful given the sensitive nature of the game and distastrous outcome for England.
Pub manager Shane Mcdougall claimed staff offered him a different t-shirt to wear, an offer that was refused, and told him to leave for his own safety after he appeared to be getting a 'bit excited'.
In an ideal world, Wycombe fans would freely wear their colours in Oxford or Colchester pubs and vice versa but sadly this is not possible. No doubt the gentlemen knew the kind of trouble he was likely to encounter and whilst he didn't deserve to be assaulted, he probably went home knowing that it was not wholly unexpected, given his desire to not pursue any complaint.
The 31-year-old man was punched but reportedly not injured following the game. Thought to be English, word on the web is that the man in question was making a nuisance of himself in the pub and revelling in England's 4-1 demise at the feet of arch-rivals, Germany.
We're a civilised folk here at Arm Chairs & Deck Chairs so we do not advocate groups of marauding hooligans assaulting members of the public for their footballing allegiances however perhaps this chap should have been more tactful given the sensitive nature of the game and distastrous outcome for England.
Pub manager Shane Mcdougall claimed staff offered him a different t-shirt to wear, an offer that was refused, and told him to leave for his own safety after he appeared to be getting a 'bit excited'.
In an ideal world, Wycombe fans would freely wear their colours in Oxford or Colchester pubs and vice versa but sadly this is not possible. No doubt the gentlemen knew the kind of trouble he was likely to encounter and whilst he didn't deserve to be assaulted, he probably went home knowing that it was not wholly unexpected, given his desire to not pursue any complaint.
Thursday, 27 May 2010
We Will Be Back Soon!
Please let me apologise for the impromptu hiatus of late. Owing to a punishing work and social schedule, I haven't been able to post for a few weeks. Never fear, Arm Chairs & Deck Chairs will be back soon, covering more from Bournemouth and High Wycombe, including Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
There have been a lot of developing stories over the past few weeks, including developments in the Heather Barnett case and the verdict in the Ralph Millward trial has been announced. I'll be looking at these stories and more in the coming weeks.
I'm also looking for more contributions so if you have a passion for news from in and around Bournemouth or High Wycombe, please feel free to get in touch with some ideas! Simply email willgeldart@hotmail.co.uk and I'll reply as soon as possible.
WilliWycombe
There have been a lot of developing stories over the past few weeks, including developments in the Heather Barnett case and the verdict in the Ralph Millward trial has been announced. I'll be looking at these stories and more in the coming weeks.
I'm also looking for more contributions so if you have a passion for news from in and around Bournemouth or High Wycombe, please feel free to get in touch with some ideas! Simply email willgeldart@hotmail.co.uk and I'll reply as soon as possible.
WilliWycombe
Sunday, 18 April 2010
John Hampden Hockey Team Stranded by the Ash Cloud
"Never mind, it's only John Hampden", says this bitter ex-St. Bernardian. Over the road from John Hampden Grammar School, High Wycombe, those of us who attended St. Bernard's Catholic School didn't have the luxury of hockey trips to Greece.
With a plethora of individual ash cloud stories, it is no surprise that the Bucks Free Press have chosen their own. The under 16 hockey team from the Wycombe school had been due to return home following a successful trip in which they became the first team to beat the Greek Under 21 national side and they were the first touring group since the gold winning Australian Olympians of 2000.
Owing to the ongoing restrictions on flights amid safety fears, twenty-six students and three teachers are stranded in the Greek capital of Athens. Deputy headteacher Andrew Wright informed the local newspaper that the group of boys "Are coping extremely well. They've spent most of the day in the hotel lobby playing computer games and listening to iPods, so they're a little bored but in good spirits.
Has history forsaken the curriculum at John Hampden or are the teachers worried about letting their precious winners outside in case their healthy, pink lungs should become encased in poisonous ash and they all start foaming at the mouths?
The deputy head went on to say that they'd be let out for a "long lunch-break." Granted, re-booking accomodation was hassle enough but come on, you're in Athens! Take them out and show them a bit of culture. Or would that involve a separate risk assessment? Perhaps the children aren't covered by the insurance in case of a medical emergency prompted by an 'act of God.' Perhaps that's just Hampden for you. Bunch of sissies. I'm not bitter...
With a plethora of individual ash cloud stories, it is no surprise that the Bucks Free Press have chosen their own. The under 16 hockey team from the Wycombe school had been due to return home following a successful trip in which they became the first team to beat the Greek Under 21 national side and they were the first touring group since the gold winning Australian Olympians of 2000.
Owing to the ongoing restrictions on flights amid safety fears, twenty-six students and three teachers are stranded in the Greek capital of Athens. Deputy headteacher Andrew Wright informed the local newspaper that the group of boys "Are coping extremely well. They've spent most of the day in the hotel lobby playing computer games and listening to iPods, so they're a little bored but in good spirits.
Has history forsaken the curriculum at John Hampden or are the teachers worried about letting their precious winners outside in case their healthy, pink lungs should become encased in poisonous ash and they all start foaming at the mouths?
The deputy head went on to say that they'd be let out for a "long lunch-break." Granted, re-booking accomodation was hassle enough but come on, you're in Athens! Take them out and show them a bit of culture. Or would that involve a separate risk assessment? Perhaps the children aren't covered by the insurance in case of a medical emergency prompted by an 'act of God.' Perhaps that's just Hampden for you. Bunch of sissies. I'm not bitter...
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
The 'Collected Thoughts' is No More. Welcome to a New Blog!
Hi everyone,
For those of you who used to read The Collected Thoughts of Nobody Special at www.williwycombe.blogspot.com, I'm afraid to say it is no more. Do not fear though, I'm changing the face of my own tiny piece of the blogosphere hence the change to Arm Chairs & Deck Chairs. Why? It may seem like search-engine optimisation suicide however whilst The Collected Thoughts had allowed me to share my thoughts on the rag-tag world of news and entertainment, I'm now narrowing my scope to encompass two places close to my heart and indeed my homes. So from Chair City (High Wycombe, not technically a city but once home to Britain's furniture trade) to Bournemouth, I'll be blogging my thoughts and opinions on what's going on in these two locales. I was born in High Wycombe and spent my years at secondary school in the town however three years ago I moved from Bucks to Bournemouth, England's own Miami with more pimps, whores, drugs and sex than you can shake the proverbial stick at. It won't all be glamorous. I'll be taking a look at the bigger issues affecting both towns and their residents. I hope you enjoy reading and welcome along to Arm Chairs & Deck Chairs, the new blog from WilliWycombe. Watch out for a new podcast too. For the time being, old podcasts will be hosted at www.williwycombe.podbean.com. Follow me on Twitter @ #williwycombe or drop me a line at willgeldart@hotmail.co.uk.
WilliWycombe
For those of you who used to read The Collected Thoughts of Nobody Special at www.williwycombe.blogspot.com, I'm afraid to say it is no more. Do not fear though, I'm changing the face of my own tiny piece of the blogosphere hence the change to Arm Chairs & Deck Chairs. Why? It may seem like search-engine optimisation suicide however whilst The Collected Thoughts had allowed me to share my thoughts on the rag-tag world of news and entertainment, I'm now narrowing my scope to encompass two places close to my heart and indeed my homes. So from Chair City (High Wycombe, not technically a city but once home to Britain's furniture trade) to Bournemouth, I'll be blogging my thoughts and opinions on what's going on in these two locales. I was born in High Wycombe and spent my years at secondary school in the town however three years ago I moved from Bucks to Bournemouth, England's own Miami with more pimps, whores, drugs and sex than you can shake the proverbial stick at. It won't all be glamorous. I'll be taking a look at the bigger issues affecting both towns and their residents. I hope you enjoy reading and welcome along to Arm Chairs & Deck Chairs, the new blog from WilliWycombe. Watch out for a new podcast too. For the time being, old podcasts will be hosted at www.williwycombe.podbean.com. Follow me on Twitter @ #williwycombe or drop me a line at willgeldart@hotmail.co.uk.
WilliWycombe
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