How to fill a newspaper

We at the Ashfield Chad I feel can be rather pleased with our efforts this week.

On Monday during my regular “state of the newspaper” discussion with Chad sub-editor Peter Hemmett it appeared we were struggling to have enough content to fill even the most modest sized of editions.

The weekend had once again been unkind to us, failing to deliver anything in the way of big breaking news, dramatic incidents or in fact any sort of news come to think of it.

I believe Mr Hemmett’s words were “I need more stuff”, but the chances of us fulfilling his pleas with entertaining, factual, fun and appealing news seemed slim.

But as is the way with the newspaper industry and life at the Chad in general, just when you begin to scratch your head in despair a series of stories begin to appear on the horizon with growing momentum.

As you will have no doubt noticed, we were helped greatly by all the goings on at Mansfield Town and the fifth anniversary of the murder of Sutton man David Draycott, which took care of the front page.

Our old friend Bill Starr once again chipped in with further developments over how best to care for his dementia-suffering wife Maureen-Anne.

And Community Corner came up trumps once again to fill some space, while Elvis still continues to stir up the emotions years after his death, as the court report on page 3 so aptly demonstrates.

As yet the office diary is looking as empty and sparse as Field Mill on a wet and windy Tuesday night and little seems to be on the horizon for next week.

But I’m sure the newspaper gods will once again look kindly down upon Outram Street and allow us to bring the good folk of Ashfield their usual blend of entertaining news and views.