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.

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...