Personal Statement
I have been with Somerset Live since August 2014, having joined when it was still operating online as the Western Gazette, with five print editions. In that time, I have been involved in the comprehensive transformation of this news organisation from a print-driven company to a digital-first operation, and have provided a wide range of newsworthy and successful content throughout this transition. In my current role I am widely respected as an authority on local government, both within Somerset and a wider context; my work has been held up as an example of good practice within local government reporting, and I have represented the Local Democracy Reporting Service at public events and in the media, including a grilling by MPs in Westminster.
Employment History
Local Democracy Reporter at Somerset Live - March 2018-present
Trainee Reporter at Somerset Live - August 2014-March 2018
NCTJ Diploma (August 2014 - December 2015)
The University of Warwick (September 2006 - July 2009)
Bishop Heber Community High School (September 1999 - July 2006)
Achievements
DISCLAIMER: As a local democracy reporter, I file my content (including pictures and videos) to a wire service provided as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The content is then uploaded to the Somerset Live website for me by members of the newsdesk or other reporters - I do not upload such articles directly via Escenic. This applies for all content written by myself from March 5, 2018 onwards; while I do challenge any errors that may be made in the course of uploading, I do not have direct access to the website's content management system.
I have been with Somerset Live since August 2014, having joined when it was still operating online as the Western Gazette, with five print editions. In that time, I have been involved in the comprehensive transformation of this news organisation from a print-driven company to a digital-first operation, and have provided a wide range of newsworthy and successful content throughout this transition. In my current role I am widely respected as an authority on local government, both within Somerset and a wider context; my work has been held up as an example of good practice within local government reporting, and I have represented the Local Democracy Reporting Service at public events and in the media, including a grilling by MPs in Westminster.
Employment History
Local Democracy Reporter at Somerset Live - March 2018-present
- I was appointed the site's local democracy reporter following an interview in early-January.
- My remit is to cover meetings and decisions involving local government in Somerset - primarily Somerset County Council and the four district councils, but also extending to other public bodies such as the Somerset Rivers Authority, the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner, the Somerset Waste Partnership, and the Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group.
- I design my content to be as digital-friendly as possible, providing pictures and if possible video with each story, as well as occasional audio. I also prolifically live-tweet important meetings, which makes live-blogging easy. Much of my content has been picked up the BBC and syndicated by other publications, such as the Somerset County Gazette, the Bridgwater Mercury and the Chard and Ilminster News.
Trainee Reporter at Somerset Live - August 2014-March 2018
- During nearly four years as a patch reporter I covered various parts of Somerset and Dorset - usually small towns and rural areas. I also had responsibility for stories relating to flood prevention and rural affairs, such as fox hunting.
- I covered a wide range of stories during my time in this role, from council meetings and court to public protests, festivals and public emergencies
- I developed a penchant for stories about transport and infrastructure, spearheading the 'Back on Track' campaign in print and online to restore rail services to the towns of Somerton and Langport, which lost their railway stations in the 1960s
NCTJ Diploma (August 2014 - December 2015)
- I have completed modules in essential public affairs for journalists (A), news reporting (B), essential media law for journalists (C) and court reporting (C).
- At the time of writing, I am working towards my 100wpm shorthand exam
The University of Warwick (September 2006 - July 2009)
- BA (Hons.) History and Politics (2:1)
Bishop Heber Community High School (September 1999 - July 2006)
- A-Level: Government and Politics (A), History (A), Chemistry (B)
- AS-Level: French (B)
- Certificate of Business Language Competence: Russian (Pass)
- GCSEs: French (A*), Science (Double Award - A*A*), Drama (A), English Language (A), History (A), Italian (A), Mathematics (A), English Literature (B), Design and Technology: Food Technology (B)
Achievements
- Co-host of the Movie Hour podcast on Lionheart Radio, 2010-12
- Winner of two RaWards (Radio Warwick awards) for work on Radio Warwick - Best Jingle and Best Publicity, both 2009
- Winner of the Percy Cup for "a real individual" pupil at Bishop Heber, 2006
Other
- I hold a full, clean UK driving licence
- Pastimes include amateur dramatics, film reviewing, writing, real ale and walking the South West Coast Path
DISCLAIMER: As a local democracy reporter, I file my content (including pictures and videos) to a wire service provided as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The content is then uploaded to the Somerset Live website for me by members of the newsdesk or other reporters - I do not upload such articles directly via Escenic. This applies for all content written by myself from March 5, 2018 onwards; while I do challenge any errors that may be made in the course of uploading, I do not have direct access to the website's content management system.
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