tag:,2008:/136 2007-10-04T12:14:56Z Taking you behind the scenes of your favourite evening newspaper Movable Type 3.31 tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.26562 2007-10-04T12:01:48Z 2007-10-04T12:14:56Z

So despite the rhetoric about leaving our cars at home, taking the bus to work and helping to improve the environment of our city centre, our council leaders aren't exactly living up to their public words. Today in a special...

The Echo Editor So despite the rhetoric about leaving our cars at home, taking the bus to work and helping to improve the environment of our city centre, our council leaders aren't exactly living up to their public words. Today in a special investigation, our reporter Matthew Aplin has discovered that six out of seven of Cardiff Council's executive cabinet are still driving to work and parking for free in County Hall's underground car park. Unlike our readers, they face no £5 a day charge... they don't even get wet when it rains. The Echo has taken a bit of flak from County Hall for pursuing this report - what is the relevance of this information?, we were asked. The relevance is that our political leaders are trying to persuade us to use public transport more and to leave our dirty cars at home. They double the car parking charges - while criticising NCP for doing the same - and say that the public must get used to using park and ride and other facilities. Yet - when push comes to shove - they know that at this moment in time there is no realistic alternative to using the car for most. That is why council leader Rodney Berman drives to his work. Just like the rest of our readers. Except he gets to park for free right next to his office. I acknowledge that transport is an increasingly tough issue to tackle politically. Yes, we all want fewer cars on the road. Yes, we all want a cleaner environment. And yes we all want better public transport. But it costs - and without that investment it is nigh on impossible to shift the motorist out of the warmth of his or her car and onto the bus or train. The council are wrong to try to bring the new £5 a day parking charge. It will put more people off coming to Cardiff - and it helps build the perception that Cardiff is an unfriendly city for motorists. If they have any sense they will drop the plan today - and get on with trying to encourage more people into the city, rather than put obstacles in their way. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.25712 2007-09-26T14:49:00Z 2007-09-26T14:56:47Z

Computer problems put paid to our normal City Final edition today.. which meant that sadly we were unable to update readers on a couple of quite lively stories. Echo reader Karen Evans walked into the office this morning with some...

The Echo Editor Computer problems put paid to our normal City Final edition today.. which meant that sadly we were unable to update readers on a couple of quite lively stories. Echo reader Karen Evans walked into the office this morning with some strong news pictures from the fire on the City fans bus last night. Thankfully no-one was hurt in the incident - which is quite incredible when you see the size of the fire. We are all following the Cardiff Council parking story closely - and starting to pose questions about council leader Rodney Berman. He is now facing a serious challenge - albeit a very late one - from Labour and Tories who are opposed to the new parking charges set to come in on Monday. And if they stand firm they have the clout to kick out the plans, putting the council leader in an untenable position. The Echo totally agrees with both parties, particularly Labour who today say that any parking charge rises should be held back until the opening of St David's 2. That would recognise the tough times that we are facing in Cardiff City Centre at the moment and would be seen as supporting traders, while encouraging visitors and shoppers. At the moment it can look as if the city is actually trying to put off visitors and shoppers with its unreasonable parking fees. I hope that the Liberals see sense and back off from this unpopular move. Cardiff has suffered enough from the NCP's greedy parking fees. The council should be standing up for its citizens and its businesses and helping the city centre to prosper - not kicking them while they are down. This is set to be a very interesting couple of days in County Hall - and we'll follow it with interest. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.24904 2007-09-18T15:34:13Z 2007-09-18T15:41:32Z

I'M travelling to London tomorrow for a meeting with Tory leader David Cameron, along with other newspaper editors from around the country. Should be interesting as I still don't feel we really know much about Cameron and what he stands...

The Echo Editor I'M travelling to London tomorrow for a meeting with Tory leader David Cameron, along with other newspaper editors from around the country. Should be interesting as I still don't feel we really know much about Cameron and what he stands for. I'll be interested in hearing his views about Wales, particularly now with the Conservatives as official opposition to the Labour and Plaid coalition. Have you got a burning question for Cameron? Post your thoughts and I'll see if I can put him on the spot. I will also be interested in hearing how his Cam TV experiment has worked out. You may recall that Cameron was the first of the party leaders to start communicating with the electorate through his website and TV station. I think I watched it once - and that was enough for me. My area of concern is that the more politicians rely on direct communications with the population, the more they cut-off the politically disinterested. And that, of course, is bad democracy. The relationship between the WRU and the Welsh media is always an interesting one - and at the moment it is threatening to boil over. See your Echo tomorrow for details of the bizarre goings-on in today's press conference. How we wish they'd stick to the rugby! tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.24424 2007-09-13T11:58:19Z 2007-09-13T12:07:27Z

The Rugby World Cup is about to hit Cardiff. The eyes of the world will turn to the Welsh capital as TV stations around the world beam back pictures from the Wales v Australia match. More than 70,000 will pack...

The Echo Editor The Rugby World Cup is about to hit Cardiff. The eyes of the world will turn to the Welsh capital as TV stations around the world beam back pictures from the Wales v Australia match. More than 70,000 will pack the Stadium for what we all hope will be a thrilling spectacle. What a fantastic occassion and what a marketing opportunity for the city! At least that's what you'd think...... But take a walk into Cardiff city centre and see how much of that Rugby World Cup excitement you can see. There's no supporters' village, there's no street flags to welcome the world to Cardiff, there are no plans for big TV coverage outside of City Hall and there's precious little advertising or marketing materials anywhere to trumpet this massive occasion. That's what prompted us to ask today: Has Cardiff missed a trick here? Are we really cashing in on the fantastic opportunities of the Rugby World Cup? Russell Goodway, former council leader and now chief exec of the Chamber of Commerce, doesn't think so - and I agree with him. Edinburgh seem to be taking a much more active part in the Rugby World Cup. The route from the airport to the city is festooned with banners, they've organised street markets, staff are decked in world cup t-shirts. In general they are creating an event and a feeling that there is something special happening. In Cardiff we have a set of plastic goalposts outside the station. There is plenty of time to correct this, particularly for the next three games after Australia and we should be seizing the opportunity. After all, how much organising does it take to put some banners up and set up some screens in a communal area? This is a big month for Cardiff - particularly as we have lost the FA Cup and other football events from the stadium - and we must make the most of it. It's time for some fast-thinking and quick action before the opportunity is lost. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.22656 2007-08-23T13:42:46Z 2007-08-23T14:17:56Z

The BBC seem to be whipping up a mini-row over our columnist Dan O'Neil's piece yesterday about the Eisteddfod coming to Cardiff next year. Dan, in his own unique style, talks about how non-Welsh speakers may view the event and...

The Echo Editor http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwalesecho/comment/tm_headline=let-8217-s-tell-these-dotty-druids-to-byrger-off%26method=full%26objectid=19670446%26siteid=50082-name_page.html I am told that Huw Llewellyn Davies, the BBC's experienced rugby pundit - and a high profile member of Cardiff's Welsh community - was interviewed this morning on the radio and was critical of the paper for publishing Dan's views.]]> I don't personally agree with Dan on this one - I'm a first language Welsh speaker myself and know first-hand what the Eisteddfod is all about. But I'm confident enough in the Welsh identity to be able to laugh at Dan's comments. I also believe that Dan has a right to a view and a right to express it. It doesn't mean that the Echo endorses his stance, more than we endorse the views of our letter writers. Dan's column is an integral part of the Echo and he has entertained our readers for many years. Yes, he does arouse controversy - but that's what columnists do. They have a conversation with readers - and they get a reaction. There is a tide in this country of politically-correct types who want to clampdown on any opinion they disagree with. They want to ban this, ban that. A light-heared columnist like Dan SHOULD be able to poke fun at something like the Eisteddfod. Just like he should any other subject be it Christianity, Islam, politics, sex, the colour of your socks. As long as he is acting within the law he, and every other writer, should be allowed the freedom to write and to provoke discussion. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.22573 2007-08-22T13:07:15Z 2007-08-22T13:13:27Z

There is no harder time to work on a newspaper than in Summer. Everyone is away on holiday, the world comes to a standstill ... and we've still got an 88 page newspaper to fill! This is when good planning...

The Echo Editor There is no harder time to work on a newspaper than in Summer. Everyone is away on holiday, the world comes to a standstill ... and we've still got an 88 page newspaper to fill! This is when good planning kicks in and I'm glad to say that the Echo is up there with the best when it comes to planning news, features and sport coverage. So today, while there was hardly a mention of South Wales on the morning radio bulletins, we are still able to provide page after page of news from deaths on the M4, Charlotte Church's revelations in her new book and a great, great interview with the Cardiff couple who won $5m on the lottery. And the first thing they are going to buy? Rugby World Cup tickets to watch Wales. You can't beat it. We're working on a new series for next week which will interest the growing numbers of people who cycle around Cardiff and South Wales. As car park firms and councils force shoppers and workers out of our city centres, more and more are now taking to two wheels to make their way in. The Echo is preparing a week-long look at the issues of cycling in the capital and beyond. If you have any views or an experience to share get in touch. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.19933 2007-07-30T15:49:03Z 2007-07-30T15:55:55Z

The signing of Robbie Fowler has been a stroke of genius at Ninian Park. The scenes at the fun day on Sunday - and last Friday when the new kit went on sale - were more reminiscent of those outside...

The Echo Editor The signing of Robbie Fowler has been a stroke of genius at Ninian Park. The scenes at the fun day on Sunday - and last Friday when the new kit went on sale - were more reminiscent of those outside a rock concert than a football ground. There is real excitement about the club this Summer and should they get a good start to the season, the interest will go through the roof. Fowler is a big star and his signing is a shrewd commercial move from Peter Ridsdale. And if the commercial success rolls over onto the pitch, well that push for the Premiership will become a reality. The tragic hit and run death of little Joshua Mark Venn-Howells has really rocked the community of St Mellons. What makes this even more poignant is that it should happen at the end of the first week of the Summer holidays. The community have responded with a blockade of the road today to highlight the dangers of speeding around their estate. We wish them well with their campaign - after all it is one that will strike a chord with every parent. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.19659 2007-07-26T13:18:16Z 2007-07-26T13:27:51Z

Another shambles. That's the only way of describing the shameful situation which has seen the Welsh public raise £10m for a children's hospital in Cardiff ... only for the local health board to say: 'Sorry we can't afford to run...

The Echo Editor Another shambles. That's the only way of describing the shameful situation which has seen the Welsh public raise £10m for a children's hospital in Cardiff ... only for the local health board to say: 'Sorry we can't afford to run it.' I can quite understand the furious reaction from the Noah's Ark fundraisers who have done such a fantastic job in stirring up support for their campaign. Lyn Jones, the chairman of the trustees, said that Cardiff Local Health Board was 'completely out of touch with the people of Cardiff and Wales.' And, in this case, I think he's right. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwalesecho/news/tm_headline=have-you-got-the-h-factor%26method=full%26objectid=19519286%26siteid=50082-name_page.html for full entry details. A £1,000 cash prize awaits the winning team..... ]]> tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.18927 2007-07-18T13:54:09Z 2007-07-19T07:36:51Z

YouTube has become a great source of news stories for newspapers. Yesterday the Echo has the story of the new mayoress of Llantwit Major and a film of her that has been put on the website. The film shows her...

The Echo Editor http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwalesecho/news/tm_headline=mayoress-threat-to-pub-landlady%26method=full%26objectid=19472900%26siteid=50082-name_page.html]]> In this age of mobile phones, you're not safe anywhere. There's always someone ready to capture pictures and video and publish them for the world to see - especially if you happen to be in a high profile position in society. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.18444 2007-07-13T13:34:59Z 2007-07-13T13:48:32Z

Today's ASW story http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwalesecho/news/tm_headline=hopes-of-triumph-for-asw-workers%26method=full%26objectid=19450980%26siteid=50082-name_page.html marks a huge watershed in the Echo's Justice for the Workers campaign. This campaign was launched five years ago when the workers at the ASW factory lost their pensions when their company collapsed. Today Peter Hain...

The Echo Editor http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/southwalesecho/news/tm_headline=hopes-of-triumph-for-asw-workers%26method=full%26objectid=19450980%26siteid=50082-name_page.html marks a huge watershed in the Echo's Justice for the Workers campaign. This campaign was launched five years ago when the workers at the ASW factory lost their pensions when their company collapsed. Today Peter Hain has told us that he will be making sure in his new position as Pensions Minister that the workers will get their money.]]> http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport?articleid=3028635 he will have his work cut out up there to win over the fans. Chopra of course is a Geordie and a Newcastle United fan. Put simply Sunderland don't like Newcastle and vice versa. And it probably didn't help the situation that Chopra is often quoted about his dislike of his new team and how he loves to score against them, as indeed he did for Cardiff last season. Football fans have long memories but I am sure that with a few goals under his name early on in the season that talent will win through and Chopra will become a hero in the Stadium of Light. But of course if he doesn't get goals early on... well, that will be a different matter altogether. ]]> tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.17654 2007-07-04T13:58:34Z 2007-07-04T16:29:04Z

Rodney Berman will breath a sigh of relief today. The council leader has had his share of rough moments in the hotseat over the last few months and must have had a bit of a restless night's sleep before publication...

The Echo Editor Rodney Berman will breath a sigh of relief today. The council leader has had his share of rough moments in the hotseat over the last few months and must have had a bit of a restless night's sleep before publication of the new school reorganisation proposal. However the Lib Dems seem to have done their homework this time round and have got political buy-in before going public on the proposals. The only issue where there is no agreement so far is the case of Radyr and Cantonian - and they have sensibly been left on the sidelines for now. This was the only way that this was ever going to be achieved, an all-party approach which ruled out parochial politics. So, where last time there were protests on the streets, in today's Echo there is a cautious welcome. That doesn't mean everyone's happy of course. That will never be the case. But there certainly isn't a feel of furore about the place. And that will be just as the Liberal Democrats will want it ... as they look ahead to the upcoming council elections. As I said... a sigh of relief. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.17547 2007-07-03T13:55:46Z 2007-07-03T15:33:59Z

Today in our city final edition we print the long-awaited proposals for schools reorganisation in Cardiff. The news will have a huge impact on ten schools in Cardiff and is the result of the local authority's discussions into how to...

The Echo Editor Today in our city final edition we print the long-awaited proposals for schools reorganisation in Cardiff. The news will have a huge impact on ten schools in Cardiff and is the result of the local authority's discussions into how to react to falling school rolls. Expect a big reaction from parents in tomorrow's Echo! If you have any thoughts on the proposals please let us know - whether you support the council or disagree - as the public have an important part to play in this process. The key difference between these proposals and the last lot that were thrown out is that we are told there is all-party support. That would make the world of difference and avoid the chaos that we saw last time as parties fell out over various parts of the proposals. The school reorganisation strategy is an important one for the well-being of the city but the details were always going to be painful. Just how painful,? Well our journalists are finding out this minute, speaking to parents and staff. tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.17263 2007-06-29T17:22:10Z 2007-06-29T17:27:51Z

We're working on a very big story for tomorrow's paper. Can't say too much at this stage but I can tell you that it is a major news story that will tie in with one of the biggest issues in...

The Echo Editor We're working on a very big story for tomorrow's paper. Can't say too much at this stage but I can tell you that it is a major news story that will tie in with one of the biggest issues in Welsh news at this time. Look out for it. While I'm teasing we're also working on something pretty special for Monday, which will set off alarm bells in certain circles. icwales.co.uk/photosales on Monday to see if they've arrived - and to see if our photographers snapped you in action!]]> tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.17111 2007-06-28T13:39:33Z 2007-06-28T13:51:05Z

TODAY we report on the first leaks on the controversial plans to reorganise schools in Cardiff. We have discovered that two schools are under threat: namely Radyr Comp and Cantonian High. This is obviously quite disturbing news for parents and...

The Echo Editor TODAY we report on the first leaks on the controversial plans to reorganise schools in Cardiff. We have discovered that two schools are under threat: namely Radyr Comp and Cantonian High. This is obviously quite disturbing news for parents and staff. We thought long and hard before publishing the story. After all it is just one of many options at this stage. But we have been told the information by two separate sources who are close the committee. We are also aware that the subject is now starting to be talked about outside of the close-knit committee who have been formulating the plans. i also thought it was telling that the council did not refute our story and responded by talking of 'leaks.' Certainly this morning at the school gates, the news was greeted with shock by parents. Particularly so for Radyr High, where it is largely unexpected. The Echo has gone on the record as saying that the council needs to push ahead with reorganisation and to consult widely with the public as part of that process. We are still confident they will do so. But this is a tricky consultation for them and they have already had their fingers burnt once when they embarked on the same course last year. At the end of the day, information like this will always leak out but the council now need to start watching the diary as the public will get impatient if they are left to wait much longer for confirmation. After all, if any announcement is left much longer schools will have broken up for the summer holidays, giving parents lless of a chance to digest the news and discuss with staff. Surely the council wouldn't leave it to the end of term before making an announcement..... would they? So now you have it: Our Assembly will be run by a Labour-Plaid coalition. I think the people of Wales have been most patient as the talks unravelled in Cardiff Bay and the power game played out. Now it's time to get to work. I find it hard to see how they will work together but this is a new politics and only time will tell. Still it was a strangely surreal moment yesterday when Ieuan Wyn Jones and Rhodri Morgan shook hands outside the Senedd. Somehow I think that the next few years are going to be a tad more interesting down the Bay! tag:theechoeditor.welshblogs.co.uk,2007://136.16958 2007-06-26T15:36:26Z 2007-06-26T15:48:50Z

Joined the good people of Marie Curie Cancer Care last night for a reception at the Senedd. They want support to ramp up fundraising ideas in South Wales and are looking for the paper to involved. They have some exciting...

The Echo Editor Joined the good people of Marie Curie Cancer Care last night for a reception at the Senedd. They want support to ramp up fundraising ideas in South Wales and are looking for the paper to involved. They have some exciting ideas and it will be good to be a part of it. Bill Jenkins, the Quadrant chief exec, is leading the new drive and along with Lorraine Barrett, the Penarth AM, is doing a splendid job in spreading the message. As part of the event, Lorraine pointed out that the roof of the Senedd is actually based on the shape of the headlead in Penarth. You learn something every day. Anyway the Echo is embarking on some high profile work with Marie Curie over the next few months, highlighting the fantastic work that they do and featuring some pretty unusual events they have in store. Watch out! To City Hall at lunchtime for The Teaching Awards, organised to highlight the excellent work of our teachers. One good aspect of this event was that some of the children were invited along to see their teachers recognised. A fantastic way of making the children and teachers part of the same team - and also a good excuse to throw out the traditional awards ceremony stuffiness! In today's paper we covered the breaking story from the Assembly of a shake-up in the way our pupils are transported to school. We actually think there are good elements to the announcement and look forward to discussion amongst our readers of the various elements. Handing over the control of school hours to local authorities from the governors, for example, is bound to be controversial. But, if it clears cars from our roads and makes our schools a safer place for our children then I'm all for it. One down side to today's announcement though was the shambolic organisation behind it all. Why, when you have such a good story to sell, did the Assembly press office not brief the media in advance to ensure comprehensive and well planned coverage? That is normal practice for a big announcement, which means our specialists have time to prepare in-depth coverage and analysis on any given issue. Instead our newsdesk was left to respond this morning to snippets of news as it appeared in different media. In my mind this was a classic example of a missed opportunity to sell a positive news story, which actually reflects well on our politicians and the Assembly.