Where’s the news gone?

And so another calender week at the Ashfield Chad is finally about to draw to a close….a week which, let me tell you, has been a lot more challenging than normal.

With the media world of weekly newspapers transforming from the sleepy environment of weekly publication to the insatiable world of around-the-clock internet news the need to find an ever expanding and constant source of news grows in importance.

And although the new internet age does indeed open up a new world of possibilities, an age which gives reporters at the Ashfield Chad a greater opportunity to develop and enhance their reports of ongoing stories such as the recent flooding coverage, the challenges also grow.

With silly season in full swing, unfortunately the flow of news this week has slowed to the pace of an Australian outback stream; ie virtually dried up.

And as the summer sun finally comes out to play and schools and councils pack up for August a valuable source of news deserts us for the time being.
 

Another traditional area of news is police, fire and ambulance incidents – death, destruction and the bad side of life if you will.

And even this area of news has slowed up as much as a pensioner doing the London Marathon, as people across Ashfield seemingly enjoy a much safer and less incident-packed life – great for society, but maybe not quite so good for the Chad.

So what are we doing to keep your Ashfield Chad a must-read newspaper?
 

Here in the Ashfield newsroom, although the incoming phone-calls are about as constant as a good ITV documentary, we are still bashing the digits on our phone in an attempt to find the news to keep you guys out there happy.

In times such as this good reporters ( such as ourselves, of course ) seek to generate their own news, through features on topical subjects such as the environment, through human interest stories about kind-hearted members of their community or commemorating great events from the district’s proud past.

So although this week’s Chad may not be as full and newsy as you would wish, let me assure you we are certainly doing our very best to provide a bumper rag every single week.

But the Ashfield Chad is of course your paper, written by reporters for the area and for the people of the area…so don’t be afraid to give the newsroom a call if you think you have a story for us.

Our ears and notepads are always at the ready.

If you have a story to help end our drought then call Stephen Thirkill on 01623 464758 or email stephen.thirkill@chad.co.uk