This is...annoying

The This is....news websites (This Is Nottingham etc) have been given a revamp and all the URLs for old stories and hence changed. This means that all the links I posted on this site from This is sites are now dead, though the stories are still out there somewhere. Can I be bothered to search for them and fix the links? Nope, didn't think so!

Portsmouth Bylines

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/people/Lollipop-lady-calls-it-a.4283783.jp

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/waterlooville-and-e-hants/It39s-a-mission-accomplished.4300176.jp

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/havant-and-w-sussex/Sufferer-steps-out-to-enjoy.4278450.jp

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/Students-celebrate-winning-arts-prize.4268307.jp

Exeter Bylines

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=137015&command=displayContent&sourceNode=136999&contentPK=20995717&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=137015&command=displayContent&sourceNode=136999&contentPK=21014566&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=137015&command=displayContent&sourceNode=136999&contentPK=21011630&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch (also by Rob Flemming & Kate Clarkson)

http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=137015&command=displayContent&sourceNode=136999&contentPK=21021743&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

Derby Telegraph

The Tim Carter story got in the Derby Telegraph as a nib. Another publication for the CV...

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=124615&command=displayContent&sourceNode=124519&contentPK=20764675&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch

Help For Heroes walk

This story appeared in the Dispatch and the Post but sadly the Dispatch link has gone tits up: http://www.hucknalldispatch.co.uk/hucknall/Charity-walk-to-help-armed.4066094.jp

Post link is here:http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=133965&command=displayContent&sourceNode=133948&contentPK=20629691&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch


A FORMER Royal Air Force serviceman is undertaking a gruelling twelve hour walk in aid of the armed forces.

Rob Bramley (42), from Bulwell, is tackling the walk with three friends in aid of Help for Heroes, an organisation dedicated to helping those who return from conflicts wounded or injured.

The charity is trying to raise £6 million to fund a much needed swimming pool and gym complex at RAF Headley Court, near Epson, Surrey.

Patients currently have to share facilities with the public in nearby Leatherhead.

Mike served for ten years as a storeman at RAF Honington, RAF Whittering and RAF Newton, as well as spending four months in the Falklands during peacetime.

He said: “As I am ex-forces I believe that this is a really worthwhile cause and it is something that is really close to my heart.

“Thankfully I do not know anyone affected but when anyone in the armed forces dies it is particularly upsetting, especially for those they leave behind.”

“I am really looking forward to doing the walk and we hope to raise around £500.”

The event is taking place on Saturday 17th May on the running track of the Harvey Hadden Sports Complex, in Bilborough, Nottingham.

It kicks off at 8am in the morning and finishes at 8pm.

Members of HMS Sherwood will be in attendance and an information display will also be set up.

Rob is also hoping for voluntary help from a local cadet force and scouts.

Help for Heroes Appeal Chairman Bryn Parry said: “Our appeal is about the blokes, our men and women. They are just blokes but they are our blokes, they are our heroes. We want to help our heroes.”

Anyone wanting to sponsor Rob can do so by visiting: http://www.justgiving.com/robertbramley1

Tim and his marathons

The following story about my mate Tim has been used on the Birmingham Mail website:

FOR most people running one marathon would be a challenge, but ambitious Tim Carter is attempting to run three within a month.

The 23-year-old, from Edgbaston, will be attempting the Prague marathon on the 11th May and then the Edinburgh Marathon on the 25th May, in addition to the Sheffield Half Marathon which he completed in April.

"I always planned on doing a marathon this year, and I had my hopes set on London with a
contingency plan of Paris," he said.

"Unfortunately I got into neither and I was quite disheartened until a friend pointed out that there were other marathons in the world.

"I found out about Prague and Edinburgh and for reasons which in recent days I have been questioning, I decided to go for both!

"I'm a little nervous, because with distance running you need constant reassurances that you are still in shape.

"I hope that once I get going, things will be alright!"

The architect is attempting the feat of endurance in an attempt to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research.

He said: "It's something I feel quite strongly about - it has affected a couple of people who I know in my lifetime, one of whom I was quite close to.

"I have set myself a target of raising £1000, but in truth, anything I can raise I will be pleased with.

"I have been overwhelmed thus far with the generosity of those who have contributeed."

Tim has been training five or six days a week for the last three months in preparation for the challenge, covering an average of fifty miles a week.

He is aiming to break the mythical three hour mark in at least one race, which only 1.8% of marathon runners achieve.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Tim can do so by visiting http://www.justgiving.com/2andahalfmarathons

http://www.birminghammail.net/news/2008/05/27/marathon-man-tim-carter-limber-up-for-charity-challenge-97319-20980626/

Pick Up Newspapers

I have started writing a column which covers the latest football news for something called Pick Up Newspapers Nottinghamshire which comes out every Friday. There is already a Yorkshire version of this free paper which is mainly full of ads. I get my name in it though and hey, it's my own column.....(kinda). The Pick Up website is here http://www.pickupnewspapers.co.uk/ Hopefully they will start uploading the Nottinghamshire issues soon.

The Metros @ Social for NG

Hotel staff across the country should have their fingers crossed that The Metros don’t stroll into their lobby, as this London based five-piece are doing their best to live out a stereotypical rock and roll lifestyle littered with equipment smashing, booze and reckless rebellion.

Last October, these teenage upstarts were kicked off The Coral’s tour for increasingly raucous behaviour which apparently didn’t go down that well with the Liverpudlians, and they have also received a nationwide ban from Holiday Inns. Oh dear.

This sort of behaviour is slightly more tolerable when the band in question are fairly big news, but there are sod all people at the Bodgea Social when I arrive shortly before the beginning of the set. If the numbers were any less then I dare say it would have been one of those Social gigs where you can get in by heading through the bar and going up the stairs at the back.

However this doesn’t deter the lads who swagger around the stage with cocky confidence, safe in the knowledge that other people their age are probably stacking shelves in Tesco. They don’t look the sort of kids who would smash up a hotel room – two members are wearing Hawaiian shirts and the drummer sports a vest – but they still convey a blasé ‘we don’t give a s**t’ attitude.

Lead singer Sauly Adamczewski in particular enjoys the occasion, getting progressively drunk on bottles of Becks and pints which are handed to him mid-set, and repeatedly scratching his head as if he can’t believe his luck. Their arrogance means they are the sort of band who many people would like to see fail, simply to wipe the smug looks of their faces, but tonight fans of schadenfreude would have been left disappointed as the Metros’ performance was astonishingly good.

They are an exceptionally tight knit unit, and the guitars are particularly good, catchy and delightfully infectious. People start dancing at the front and suddenly the place isn’t empty but full of happy gig goers – just where did all this lot come from?

In many ways the band are a southern equivalent of the Arctic Monkeys, with Adamczewski proudly showcasing his cockney vocals in the same way Alex Turner does with his Yorkshire twang. The songs too are of similar themes and full of wry observations on growing up and the world we live in. Where the Arctics had their taxis to Hillsborough, the Metros have their train from Victoria; effectively doing for London what Turner & co did for Sheffield.

So come out the cupboard you boys and girls because the The Metros have well and truly arrived. They are cocky yes, but there is more than enough evidence in their music to back this up. Loud, brash and in your face – the Metros coming at you faster than an underground train.

Review: Dan Palmer

Images: Adrian Pancucci

http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/The_Metros:_Live_Review/

Hat-trick!

Been meaning to mention Hat-trick! for a while now, as it came to an end the other day with a couple more shows. By the end I think we produced a pretty good show, everything seemed to work well and I'm fairly proud of it.

To listen, head over to www.normanradio.co.uk and click archives. One of our shows is on the 21st April, 2008 at around 4.30, and the other is the final two hours of the 24th April.

NME New Noise Tour @ Rescue Rooms for NG

One place I wouldn't want to be after the hottest day in ages is a small, dark room which is fit to bursting with other sweaty people. It was therefore unfortunate that tonight's NME New Noise Tour took place at the Rescue Rooms, which again was far too small for the job it had been asked to do.

The place resembled a sauna and with towels not provided I got the impression that I was in for a long, hot night of general discomfort. It's a relief to report then that some top class music from four up and coming acts made the night fly by and the inferno-like conditions were made far more bearable.

First up were White Lies who strolled onto the stage at the ridiculously early hour of 7pm. With a lead singer that sounded like Brandon Flowers from The Killers, this foursome produced a decent enough set which included some powerful, anthemic music as well as some satisfying guitar riffs. Their set was short however, and they didn’t address the crowd or move about at all. It almost seemed as if they couldn’t be arsed, which can't be said about Team Waterpolo who followed them onto the stage.

"Alright! Hello! We're Team Waterpolo, how is everybody doing?" yells their lead singer as if he’s warming up a crowd at Butlins. Their opening number, which includes the lyrics: "Welcome to the Team Waterpolo show" does little to dispel the feeling that we are stuck in a kids TV programme but the lads are able to recover with a feel-good set which fitted in with the recent summer weather brilliantly.

There is dancing and headbanging galore and loads of 'yeahs!' and 'wooos!' to let us know that Team Waterpolo are just that little bit mental. They look absolutely knackered at the end and you'd be hard-pushed to find a more enthusiastic band; this pop punk outfit are definitely a band to look out for.

Next up are Friendly Fires who a fair number of the crowd seem to have come to see. Their music is a delightful mixture of pop, indie, funk and dance and they get the crowd moving for the first time all night.

Pleasing electronic noises mingle with guitars and these guys have a real presence on stage; energetically leaping about the place and generally running themselves into the ground. All of the songs are well structured and the band display a talent for music which is impressive for their young years. Run of the mill they are certainly not, so expect to see more of this St Albans-based three-piece in the near future.

Things then go a little insane as the night finishes off with Canadian electro group Crystal Castles. Flashing strobe lights and smoke build the crowd up into a frenzy and at times it feels like we are at an underground rave. They create a unique, futuristic, alien sound using all sorts of different gadgets and it’s very entertaining indeed.

A manic mosh pit developed up the front which at times devoured lead singer Alice Glass like quicksand, and security have to step in on a couple of occasions to keep things under control. It's a hectic and fitting way to end a thoroughly good night, which showcased some of the names we could be hearing about in the not too distant future. Watch this space.

Review: Dan Palmer

Paul Holland

I've got to say he's a top bloke. It was the day after his club lost league status and I guess he could have probably done without two students pitching up and basically asking why his team were crap. But he took the time out to speak to us even though we were not from a proper paper (though we did say we were from the Post to get access to him) and to be honest I think that is damm good of him. I wish Mansfield the best of luck in the Conference next season, unless they meet Basingstoke in one of the tinpot non-league trophies.

Pictures of annoyed Mansfield Fans

Mansfield FC, Local Impact

Traders who operate close to Mansfield’s Field Mill ground are worried about the effect the club’s relegation will have on their business.

Pub Manager Suzanne Hemsley, from the John Barras, on Nottingham Road said: “We were absolutely rammed on Saturday and it is a worry that there won’t be as many people in next season.

“Takings may well be down as some of the visiting teams may not bring as many fans either.”

John’s Fish Bar lies next door to the pub and staff were also pessimistic.

Owner Bambos Constantinou said: “We definitely expect to see a drop in trade on Saturday afternoons.

“It’s a shame that one of the biggest towns in England won’t have a Football League club.”

Mansfield Fans Vox Pops

Cliff Hinks, Sutton-in-Ashfield: It is always good to have a football league club in the town. Playing in the Conference is bound to have a negative effect on the economy. They have built a nice stadium, which will now host a bad standard of play. I don’t think we will bounce back unless there are some major changes.

Geoff Mellors, Kirkby-in-Ashfield: It is a shame for the football team and its fans. Hopefully some decent players will be brought in over the summer and we’ll regain our league status at the first attempt.

Ian Fowles, Mansfield – It’s a shambles. The outside of the ground looks shoddy, its no wonder the players perform badly when they turn up and look at that. They must be demoralised even before they take to the field. No wonder the team got relegated. I have been coming for 25 years but I’m not sure I'll bother next year.

Elaine Seagrave, Mansfield – It is shameful that we’ve lost our league status. We need a new manager and a few new players – then we can get back to league football. Either that or they’ll be playing against my young lad soon!

Megan Jackson, Pingston – The players just weren’t good enough throughout the season. I’m not confident we’ll be back in the league with this team. We need new players.

Paull Holland Interview for Newsweek

By Dan Palmer & Peter Fearn

MANSFIELD TOWN boss Paul Holland could not hide his disappointment after the Stags’ 77 year stay in the Football League came to an end.

Chester City’s goalless draw with Stockport last night confirmed the club’s relegation to the Conference, as they now lie four points adrift of third bottom Dagenham & Redbridge with just one game remaining.

Holland’s own playing career was cut short when he damaged his cruciate ligament and the 34-year-old says that seeing his side go down is on a par with that.

“I’m very disappointed after we’d given ourselves every chance of going into the Rotherham game with something to play for,” he said.

“Over the course of the season we got what we deserved.

“Life in the Conference will be hard but we’ve got to be positive and say we are going to bounce straight back, following the example of other teams like Doncaster, Chester and Hereford.”

The club may also have to deal with a drop in attendances next year, with some supporters choosing not to watch non-league football.

“The real Mansfield Town fans will keep coming. We’ve got to stick together and I’m sure the real fans will be behind us,” said Holland.

“As a team we need to be 100 per cent better on the field and 100 per cent better off the field.

“I hope that things are sorted out on and off the pitch. We’ve got to stop feeling sorry for ourselves,” he added.

Holland also conceded that some of the playing squad would probably leave the club over the summer.

“There are big decisions to be made regarding players and staff. I’m sure some players will move on to football league clubs.

“I’ll have to decide if some deserve another chance here or if I should send them elsewhere.

“At the moment the dressing room is not a nice place to be.”
Holland took over at Mansfield from sacked manager Billy Dearden and is keen to remain in the job.

“I only took over eight games ago and it was just too big an ask to save the club from relegation.

“Hopefully I’ll be manager of Mansfield next season and win promotion back to the football league.”

Coldplay: Violet Hill, Review for Newsweek & NG

When a huge band releases a comeback single, the day of the first play is always hyped up as a massive event. The music press and radio stations count down the days like they are using some sort of advent calendar, constantly reminding us when we can hear the precious track for the first time.

Examples of this madness include D'You Know What I Mean, the first release from Be Here Now, the much anticipated but godawful third album by Oasis and Beetlebum by Blur, the rather downbeat single which followed the glory days of Parklife and The Great Escape.

The problem is, these comeback singles rarely live up to the pandemonium surrounding them. As the track fizzles out to an end, people are usually left feeling underwhelmed and unsure why they were so excited in the first place. The sense of an anti-climax is also heightened if the band in question have decided on a change of style and a major direction shift from the previously heard stuff.

This is the case with Coldplay's Violet Hill, the first single from the pretentiously-titled new album Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends, which is more edgier and experimental than the songs we’ve have heard from them before.

Released as a free download on the band's website on Monday, the demand for the song caused the site to grind to a halt shortly after its 12.15pm release. It is a darker tune with pounding, heavy guitars and there's even a hint of electronic music in there. It seems far less radio friendly, in the sense that if moves away from a poppy like sound towards something a bit more prog like Radiohead.

It is one of those songs that Coldplay fans will have to learn to love, just like followers of Blur would have had to do with Beetlebum. The differences are apparent, but after a few listens it could be one of those songs described as a 'grower'. Give it enough time and Violet Hill could perhaps stand alongside other Coldplay anthems. For now though, the jury is probably still out.

The free download is available for another week if you wish to judge for yourself. Otherwise it is released as a conventional paid-for download on May 6th.

Review: Dan Palmer

http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/Coldplay:_Violet_Hill/

Plane Crash-landing, for Newsweek

A STRING of errors which led to the crash-landing of a cargo plane could have resulted in catastrophe, according to a new report.

The TNT Airways Boeing 737 performed the procedure at East Midlands Airport at 4.40am before taking off again and making an emergency landing at Birmingham.

Part of the Belgian plane’s undercarriage was missing after the incident and the right main landing gear detached from the wing during the accident on June 15th, 2006.

Up to 200 domestic flights had to be cancelled or diverted, although neither of the two crew members were injured.

The report released today by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch states: “The circumstances of this event could easily have led to a catastrophic accident.

“Actions by individuals which contributed to the accident were either inappropriate or were not in compliance with existing procedures.

“Non-compliance with procedures, whether inadvertent or deliberate, can be difficult to prevent and can only be addressed by effective training,” it added.

The drama started when air traffic control conveyed an incorrect message to the plane during its descent.

This confused the pilot who disconnected the autopilot system while attempting to reply, causing the plane to lose speed and height.

The crew did not make a decision to perform a ‘go-around’ – where a plane aborts a landing and returns to circuit height – until it was too late and the jet came down on a grassed area.

Other factors included a faulty weather report which made no indication of the mist and fog which occurred, and the training of the co-pilot was also said to be ineffective in regards to his knowledge of the go-around manoeuvre.

Both pilots may have also been affected by tiredness, and a series of ‘unusual incidents’ during the flight may have added to workload and caused a loss of situational awareness.

The plane was on route from Liege Airport in Belgium to London Stanstead, but it was diverted to East Midlands due to the bad weather.

Belgian based TNT sacked the pilots after the incident, saying it was down to human error.
The report recommends that the Belgian Aviation Authority require the airline to review their operation procedures to ensure that it is clear to all pilots when a go-around is required.

Half Man Half Biscuit @ Rock City for NG

If you've never heard of Half Man Half Biscuit then track titles like Bad Losers On Yahoo Chess, Lord Hereford's Knob and National Sh**e Day should give you an inkling about their style.

This manic Birkenhead four piece don't take themselves too seriously, writing songs about anything and everything that happens to pop into their heads. The end result is extremely fulfilling, a beautiful concoction of brilliant lyrics and wacky performances that you can't help but enjoy.

I doubt that there is a more likeable band than HMHB; they slap a smile on your face which is difficult to erase and the utter randomness of their stuff makes you wish that you hadn't abandoned your own fledgling music career quite so early.

There was a song my band created about fighting with shoes which was unfortunately axed for being well....too stupid. But HMHB are living proof that we should have stuck at it, as more than twenty years after forming they are still playing to adoring masses at established venues like Nottingham Rock City.

A bizarre motley crew of people from many generations await the band, proof enough of their wide-ranging appeal. Seasoned gig goers mingle with grey haired souls who have probably never been to a place like this before, but one and all are left thoroughly entertained.

HMHB are hardly the world's best musicians, but it doesn't matter as their quintessentially British style produces numerous singalongs and general merriment. Lead singer Nigel Blackwell happily engaged with the crowd and took part in all the banter which was flying about the place. He gets several laughs, meaning that this is not just a gig, but a comedy performance as well.

Highlights include F**kin Hell It’s Fred Titmus, Blue Badge Abuser, S**t Arm, Bad Tattoo, and Twenty-Four Hour Garage People which is probably the best song about a petrol station that I’ve ever heard. Another number which goes down tremendously is Vatican Broadside, a short sharp ditty with the classic lyrics: “The lead singer of Slipknot went to Rome to see The Pope/and The Pope said to his aide/who the f*****g hell are Slipknot?”

Credit is also due for the length of the set, a bumper affair lasting the best part of two hours. Veterans they may be, but this band can still last the distance on stage, an example other acts would do well to follow.

So all hail Half Man Half Biscuit, a wonderfully eccentric band who show that if you spend your money on guitars, you don’t have to write songs about your broken heart. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a music career to resurrect. Just how did that shoe fighting song go……

Review: Dan Palmer

Images: Richard Battye

http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/Half_Man_Half_Biscuit:_Live_Review/

The Ting Tings @ Social for NG

The Bodega Social is stupidly busy tonight, and why the hell not? Hot Mancunian double-act The Ting Tings have arrived in Nottingham and the masses have turned out in force to see what all the fuss is about. Quite a buzz has been generated about these guys after a third place finish on the BBCs Sounds for 2008 poll, a chart which annually predicts household names of the future with a great deal of success.

The Ting Tings describe their music as garage pop but to be honest it is very difficult to classify their sound. The stuff tonight varies dramatically with a mix of different genres thrown together, each a contributing factor in making their performance extremely original.

Elements of funk, indie, electronica and waltz are thrown into a musical cooking pot with the end product being extremely satisfying indeed. It is as though the Ting Tings have ripped up the rulebook and started again from scratch in a determined effort not to conform to more recognisable musical styles. And somehow this unorthodox approach to music seems to work beautifully. It really shouldn't, but it does.

You never quite know what to expect and the Ting Tings take us on a journey which is exciting, infectious and utterly absorbing. At some gigs songs can often sound the same and blend into one, but there is absolutely no chance of that here and the crowd seem to love every minute of it.

Popular track That’s Not My Name is a perfect example of this and is a real stand-out moment. Starting off with brash, in your face rap style lyrics from singer Katie White, the song develops and White's vocals become softer and more harmonic. There is almost a sense of surprise as both parts gel together perfectly, producing a damn fine song with the most unlikely of components.

With only two members on stage, electronic wizardry is relied upon to ensure that all parts of the songs are heard. White is enthusiastic on stage, leaping around energetically while colleague Jules De Martino is like a man possessed behind the drum kit. Fears that only two people on stage will leave things feeling a bit light are quickly dispelled and White's contributions on cowbell and bass drum add to the delightful randomness of the performance.

Other highlights include Traffic Light, which sounded like it could be played in a dance hall, and the futuristic sounds of Great DJ which were so catchy that you couldn't help but dance. The only criticism was that the gig lasted a disappointing forty five minutes, but this is a purely selfish gripe as I could have done with hearing a bit more of the quality stuff the Salford duo were producing.

As I drift out, I hear a disgruntled Arsenal fan complaining about his sides' Champions League exit tonight. However, he says that the Ting Tings performance makes everything a little bit better. And if that isn't a ringing endorsement, then I don't know what is.

Review: Dan Palmer

Images: Tara Vickers

http://www.ng-magazine.com/Diary/Music/The_Ting_Tings:_Live_Review/

Back On It

Third term starts tomorrow, all too soon. Over the Easter Hols I found out that I passed the NCTJ newswriting exam with merit which is another good thing to add to the CV.