Today is
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News School Report Day.
Our reporter Andrew Bomford is at Knutsford High School in Cheshire, and will be appearing on the programme tonight, and his piece will feature a 3 and a half minute report compiled by some of the children themselves. This is Charlotte and David (who have voiced up the report) interviewing Inspector Chris Morrell of Cheshire Police
and this is Charlotte.
Here is Bradley, who is featured in the report and lives on the Longridge Estate:
and here's Ryan interviewing Marylyn Kerby, the Community Development Officer at Macclesfield Borough Council, who is also featured in the report.
I remember 5,000 years ago getting my first real taste of radio doing this sort of thing. So who knows, maybe one day some of the children featured here could be on the radio again as presenters. Or they might be brighter than that and get proper jobs.
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5000 years ago? So recently? ;o)
Seriously, this is a great way for children to feel engaged and to take an interest in local affairs. I'm sure I'm not alone in looking forward to their report.
As an ex teacher, may I just say that your joke about your profession - very similar to the one regularly trotted out about teachers - is yet another example of your smug, ‘know-better’ presenter style, and I
think we could all do with less of your sarcastic inquisitorial skewer.
Alternative views are available!
Are the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ planning a ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News Pensioners day? Everyone over the age of 65 deserves a voice as well, despite being forgotten by media outlets and City Types, and you never find spoiled brat pensioners running around restaurants screaming, spoiling everyone else's meal...well, not often anyway.
Bah Humbug.
Nice strapline Scott, but wouldn't "Putting everything before the newsletter" be more accurate? :-)
Oh Belinda, as a non- pensioner, can I just say there are lots of wonderful projects out there to bring older and younger people together. I'm all for integration, and you sound as though you'd like to keep as much separation as possible ....
If we're lucky enough, we'll all grow older, but I do hope we don't grow grumpier!
And, I know of many a pensioner who's pretty feisty and can raise the roof when they want, or be very antisocial in other ways. Don't, please don't, just have it in for the young.
I did a fortnight's work experience at my local ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ radio station when I was at school (my dad did quite a lot of "freebie" programmes for them - the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ - it's what they do, you know...).
I had a great time and I was really keen to pursue it, but unfortunately got waylaid by drink, boys and loud music. Good to see that didn't happen to you, Eddie, or you simply wouldn't be the presenter we know and love . . . .
Big Sister (1)
Just to pitch back in and clarify something from my original posting - I'm certainly not against the non-deferential style of interviewing, in fact I applaud it. I just think Eddie's sarcastic style is becoming tedious; as someone once said "sarcasm is the lowest form of wit".
I usually listen to 'PM' in the car, on the way home from work and as soon as the news headlines have been broadcast I switch off because Eddie's sarcastic rejoinders annoy me. I appreciate that he is an accomplished broadcaster and he does ask the questions that need to be asked but I don't like the way he's chosen to deliver it.
From the newsletter:
And in a few minutes I'll be recording an
interview with a well known electronics manufacturer about their new gadget
I wonder if it has a golden joystick??
Gerepidox (U7747218), Your original posting about Eddie was on the "Oops" thread -- Just to let youi know that I and several others have replied to you there.
Don't, please don't, just have it in for the young.
I can if I want to and I am not a pensioner myself, but I am sick of having the (parent's) views of precious little angels pushed down my throat.
Actually, I don't think I have as much as problem with the children as their parents. But that's another matter for another thread.
However I would like to see more representation in the media of the elderly, rather this bizarre focus on the special 5-30 age group. I am not suggesting segregation, please do not put words into my mouth, but the divisions are already there in the media and society and I would be all for intergration as long as it led to true equal respect for all. I was bought up to understand that your elders are as an important part of your community as anyone else, but this is something which has been forgotten today.
Gerepidox (U7747218): Well, we both agree on that, then - non-deferential=good when it comes to interviews.
I'm with Aperitif on this one, though. Eddie's way of dealing with pomp is, to me, excellent. Polite, yet pointed. Can't see anything wrong with it. And I'm sure many of his interviewees have a quiet giggle themselves.
I'd also make the point that, when interviewing 'ordinary folks' who aren't out to try to 'sell' themselves to the public, Eddie's manner is extremely respectful.
Let's face it, when you're having to deal with sticky spinners, you've got to have a tactic of your own. Eddie's works well. Unfailingly polite, never sneering, just poking gently with his quick wit. It's very, very effective.
Andrew who's doing tonight's report will try to respond to any questions you might have. He'll be travelling after the show, but will try to answer tomorrow.
Big Sis, re I'd also make the point that, when interviewing 'ordinary folks' who aren't out to try to 'sell' themselves to the public, Eddie's manner is extremely respectful. Absolutely.
Okay, Eddie, so let's get this clear. Andrew is going to answer the following questions:
(1) Are the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ planning a ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News Pensioners day?
(2) Wouldn't "Putting everything before the newsletter" be more accurate?
(3) Whether a well known electronics manufacturer's new gadget has a golden joystick.
I'm really looking forward to hearing his answers ;o)
------------------------------------------------------
Belinda:
Firstly, I didn't mean to put words into your mouth, so am sorry if it came over that way.
I don't think I was saying you can't say what you did, but equally I am entitled to reply to what you said.
Incidentally, I'm not a parent myself - but I do think there's a great deal of undeserved criticism of young people, and your original posting came across that way to me. Yes, I agree, some parents seem to exercise less control over their children than others. 'Twas ever thus. But life's about being tolerant.
Incidentally, I worked until quite recently for one of the leading older people's charities running a project in the community aimed specifically at giving older people a voice, so I'm very aware of these issues. However, I'd also repeat that older people are also very capable of behaving badly, antisocially even, as are people of any age group. I don't respect anybody who behaves badly, regardless of their age, if their behaviour impacts badly on others.
What I think is wonderful about projects like ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News School Day is that it is likely to stimulate young children to feel involved with others. Surely that's a good thing?
However, I'd also repeat that older people are also very capable of behaving badly, antisocially even, as are people of any age group. I don't respect anybody who behaves badly, regardless of their age, if their behaviour impacts badly on others.
I never said otherwise, Big Sister! I have also worked extensively with the elderly in several capacities including with charities, with abused mothers and children, and also solely with children and know that age is hardly indicative of bad behaviour - and yes, the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ School Day thing is fine but it would just be nice to see other age groups focused on as well. It just seems to me that far too much of society, particularly the mainstream media, is skewed towards catering for children and their needs (or, usually, wants), while other vulnerable members of society are pushed to one side.
As for my 'unwarranted' criticism of young people - sometimes it is warranted and without going into gory details, I do feel experienced to say that. However, I do firmly place the responsibility with parents and peer groups, rather than the children themselves. Behaviour breeds behaviour after all.
I'm grumpy today, can you tell?
I suspect that none of us would be bothering to frog if we didn't appreciate Eric's way with words, which I remember brightening up Sunday mornings, on BH, oh, as recently as 1,500 years ago.
As for 'the elderly', well, I plan to be 'an elderly' one day (the alternative isn't as attractive at the moment) and when I get there we'll be top generation, as far as I can tell. I'd like a voice.
But I enjoyed the children's piece.
However the grammatical error a certain presenter posted is not acceptable, and he will go straight to the corner. And no sniggering. Or it's 100 lines.
Well done Andrew Bomford and Knutsford High School!
The report we heard was an excellent example of campaigning journalism and was a credit to all concerned.
If Mr. Bomford ever wants a second career, may I suggest he puts himself forward as a Media Consultant to schools? He should be providing schools with in-service training, showing teachers how that nebulous subject ''Citizenship'' should be tackled in the classroom. The teenagers' report was a prime example of investigating rights and responsibilities, the role of Local Government and the police, and democracy in action, and how they can come together for the common good. Superb!
Is this a generational thing, I wonder? I don't remember my grandparents ever saying they felt they didn't have a voice. Of course, we were a very close family, which meant all generations were always in and out of each other's homes.
I don't think anyone from the babyboom generation onwards will allow themselves to be kept quiet somehow.
Come on then Frances, where's this "grammatical error"?
We heard again tonight on PM of teenagers complaining that they do not have enough to do. They have so much more done for them now, and so much more to occupy their time than we had as children and as teenagers. We had no TV, no mobile phones, no skate boards, only one radio channel to listen to, etc, etc, but I don't ever remember being bored. So what has gone wrong?
Appy - Tried to cut and paste, but foiled.
"This is Charlotte and David"...
And then Firefox crashed on me. After I posted to Apps.
Hmmmmmmmmm........
blasted burning vulpines descending from the skies. Took five saucepansfull to put them out.
Mind you, the resulting char-grilled meat will do well for a few days' meals; yum. Thinking of marinades.
You haven't set fire to the brush, Appyy?
Re: Gerepidox (U7747218) comment:-
........................."I just think Eddie's sarcastic style is becoming tedious; as someone once said "sarcasm is the lowest form of wit".........................
I believe someone else also said (sarcasm is the lowest form of wit bit the highest form of intelligence?)
Although I think presentation style is important, certainly in getting the best out of the contributors, I really embrace Eddies's wit and humour.
Along with the likes of Paddy I wish Radio 4 had a few more presenters who could put a little life in to what could otherwise be a mundane hour of journalistic tedium.
However, I respect your view, and of course there is always ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 5 Live or Talksport to dip in to should you wish.
I think though, it's the team effort along with Eddies style that have won the Sony awards and the huge audience that PM still attracts.
Frances: You haven't set fire to the brush, Appyy? Eh?
Ted Prangnell (19) - Teenagers with nothing to do.
This baffles me. I used to have to do school homework for 2 hours every evening (3 hours in the 6th Form) and at weekends. The evening shift took me up to 9 pm, which was not far short of bed-time. I'd have had a job to find time to hang around or endlessly improve my texterity. I gave up learning to play the violin in order to concentrate on "O" levels.
I don't remember my grandparents ever saying they felt they didn't have a voice. Of course, we were a very close family, which meant all generations were always in and out of each other's homes.
Back in my younger days, when I ran around the fjords with blonde pigtails and lived in a cabin as part of a tiny community, the elders were a very important part of society. They were the moral compass, the disciplinarians and the people to whom we all looked up to. It didn't matter if they were crabby so-and-sos, they were still wiser than us and deserved that kind of respect.
Nowadays, society seems to have fragmented into a situation where the people with the most spare cash to spend are the ones who are important - and this appears to be anyone under the age of about 35. All I hear of retired people nowadays on a weekly basis is that they are disrespected and ignored. I'm not saying that they should be given priority treatment over the rest of society, but at least an equal standing, and given it is the media which appears to drive public thinking nowadays, I feel that their focus should reflect this.
Belinda (25),
I hear you loud and clear. The loss of multigenerational living may be the death of culture.
:-(
xx
ed
Belinda,
says it all!
xx
ed
Ah yes, Ed (27), that seems about right!
I would never wish to denigrate Andrew's work with the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ News Schools Day - the segment about it on PM showed it to be a good cause with a surprising high standard coming from the children, even better than a number of current radio presenters. Perhaps I should continue with this on the Burrowed Frown.
Belinda (25), You will be pleased to know that, although I have heard media drivel about the kinds of attitude you describe, it is not what I see going on in my own life and around me. Much like many other things; the media has it skewed, in my experience.
Appy (28): You calling my postings media drivel? ;-)
I do talk to many elderly who report these feelings back to me personally, but I am pleased that this isn't your experience. I didn't realise that the media were even aware of this problem truth be told, certainly they aren't going to great pains to overcome it.
Ted Prangnell (19) The way I heard it, the teenagers were not complaining about the lack of things to do - they were bemoaning the fact that they had nowhere to do it!
They were saying that now and again it would be nice to be able to meet up with a group of friends, indoors, under no obligation to buy food or drink, to chat, play pool, listen to their music or generally ''mess about'' without disturbing or upsetting anybody.
In my area there is only one such facility, and it is where the trouble-makers are directed to to get them off the streets, where they have been found causing real trouble. It is a pity that the many decent, well-brought-up, well-behaved teenagers around here cannot be accommodated in a similar place.
I've just been looking through the postings on this thread and am appalled at the bad manners displayed by one participant who appears to be standing up for the older listener.
I am in my seventies, and I would never be so rude to another person, whether defending myself or other people. I do not think that, saying you're grumpy, is an excuse, either.
When I was a child, I was taught manners. Most of the children I meet today are also well mannered. It seems to me that manners were not taught well enough in the fjords or that particular person would not be so rude to other people. Perhaps she hasn't grown up yet?
This has left a nasty taste in my mouth.
Ah, Belinda, you know me better than that (I was relieved by the wink!) I'm sorry to hear that some eldery people you know have that sort of experience -- I just really wanted to let you know that I find the elderly folk in my life are respected and appreciated. Lots. And I find there is a lot of the aforementioned drivel about the lack of respect from youth these days and the breakdown of the extended family. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, just that it isn't the case in my personal -- and highly unscientific, I accept --experience. I can't be that different from the norm?
(I realise the temptation I have provided for some fellow froggers with the rhetorical question but I'm going to go ahead and post it anyway!)
Ladles and Jellyspoons, DING! DING! I declare this bout well and truly over.
May I respectfully direct everyone's attention to the Furrowed Brow. The place for getting serious.
May I also, and with equal respect, remind froggers everywhere of our (usually) unspoken code about differences of opinion:
It's OK to try to get to the bottom of the disagreement. It's not OK to adopt either an aggressive or defensive attitude.
If you can't avoid challenging someone's opinion, as expressed on the frog, then please try to do it with humour, with understanding, with humility.
I keep noticing how what seem like serious arguments on here have almost always turned out to be either a matter of an unfortunate turn of phrase early on, or someone not having knowledge of personal information about the other person that explains an unusual viewpoint.
In the case of this thread, I would invite anyone who still wants to thrash it all out to issue an invitation to the Furrowed Brow as soon as possible.
I'll be selling tickets for Round Two.
Fifi
I really don't think it's for you to decide who discusses what where Fifi.
Ageless (32): Perhaps you are right.
Belinda (36) - Hello Grumpy, how's it going today? I should now do one of those smiley icon faces but I'd probably get it wrong.
Don't suppose you've got a driver for a Canon 21250U2 scanner?
RJD - why, are you wanting to play golf?
Val P - Gosh, you're sharp!. As it happens I found the driver and the scanner is now installed.
How's the concrete installation going?
It went lumpy, so yesterday we did a bit of a cement screed over the last bit. Good grief, does the man not realise that as soon as the walls and roof are built he won't be able to see the floor, as I'll have so much junk in it pdq!