News from nowhere

The Reading Chronicle online has picked up my comments about the recent Safer Communities inspection. The Chron's new website is still some way behind the Evening Post's effort, in my view. Let's hope the folks at the Chronicle get more news items online soon. I always enjoyed the Editor's blog although that seems to have stopped (I think it coincided with a change of editor!).

Anyway, from my point of view as a local activist it's a pity that local newspaper journalists come and go so quickly, usually after you've just built up a good relationship with them, shown them ward, flagged up some issues. I guess it's inevitable in a career where local newspapers are a stepping stone to bigger and better things. On a positive side I've met a lot of nice young journalists as a Councillor and most of them haven't got too cynical about Reading life (yet!).

I seriously considered journalism for a career when I graduated, but the years of work-experience and low pay that are part of the deal put me off. Don't get me wrong, I would have loved to have done it and I envy those with the patience to stick at it. But after 4 years at University I had run enough debts that made the idea of having to rely even more on the Bank of Mum and Dad did not appeal.

Anyway, the decision was made for me when I was offered a job in Reading that meant I could afford to move out of my parent's house. And the rest, as they say is history!