Return of the crossword

I should have known better.
In the What’s On section of September 11’s paper we wrote, in an article above the crossword and horoscope, that we were considering dropping them and seeking readers’ views on the possibility.
The volume of What’s On news sent in to the Mid Somerset Series has grown dramatically in recent years and we wanted to respond to readers’ requests to give it more space.
Only one reader asked us to keep the crossword, while no one asked to keep the horoscope.
So we decided to drop them as part of the paper’s redesign and use the space to publish more local What’s On information from the issue of October 9.
The redesign received almost universal approval, much to our relief, but then complaints began to trickle in from crossword fans who missed their weekly brain teaser and wanted it restored.
As I said here a few weeks ago, journalists must always remember that their job is to serve the readers and respect how deeply established the newspaper is as part of the community.
So from next week the crossword will return with a new regular berth on the Jack Blandiver page.This way we can maintain the increase of space for What’s On and restore a long-standing feature that proved more popular than we thought.
Philip Welch

Bad news from ITV

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom’s decision to accept ITV News’s proposed cuts in regional programming was predictable but regrettable.
ITV will merge its West and Westcountry regions and the minutes of dedicated regional news we receive will be cut by half. Savings of £40 million a year are sought and the staff will be reduced from 1,075 to about 650.
The main reason for cutting news coverage is diminishing advertising revenues as the television market fragments with the rush of new channels, while the credit crunch has not helped.Somerset already receives a poor service from ITV, with little interest shown beyond big set-piece events like the Royal Bath and West Show, Glastonbury Festival and carnivals.
The BBC’s coverage of this part of the world is not much better, despite the licence fee we pay. Coincidentally, ITV’s cuts come at the same time as Mid Somerset News & Media’s decision to start filming short news videos to be shown on our websites, probably one a week.The first one came out last week and featured flooding in Cheddar.
We don’t claim to have the expertise or resources of ITV or the BBC.We won’t have expensive sets or glamorous presenters with huge clothing allowances, but our videos will be local to mid-Somerset and available free on our websites thisiswells.co.uk, thisshepton.co.uk, thisiscentralsomerset.co.uk and thisischeddarvalley.co.uk.
Philip Welch

Evolving to reflect a changing world

Journalists must always remember that their job is to serve the readers and respect how deeply established the newspaper is as part of the local community.
Sadly this is not always the case, particularly with new editors desperate to make their mark with dramatic changes to the newspaper’s design.
After two or three years the urgency to redesign again will recede with the realisation that most readers dislike change and a few hardy annuals will always berate you bitterly about any improvements.
When you have occupied the editor’s chair for as long as I have, the desire to implement necessary updates to the design and structure of the paper brings sleepless nights.
Newspapers must continue to evolve to reflect a world where change happens at an ever increasing pace, but evolution is usually better than revolution.
The changes will look dramatic if you compare this week's newspapers with those from 10 years ago, because the changes have been gradual.
This has contributed to the success of the series and I hope you approve of the improvements introduced in the last two weeks.
We are also working to enhance our websites, where our first mid-Somerset news video will be posted this week.
As always, I welcome your views. My email is editor@midsomnews.co.uk and the postal address: Mid Somerset News & Media, Southover, Wells BA5 1UH.
Philip Welch

Well done all you bloomers

We take too much for granted and give too little praise in mid-Somerset.
This summer was the seventh wettest on record yet all our towns and many of our villages still managed to boast splendid floral displays.
Sadly, too many people walk by without realising that the flowers are not plastic, do not appear of their own accord and are not provided by a local council with taxpayers’ money.
No, they are the result of months of quiet work by small groups of unpaid volunteers, who are not afraid of getting hands dirty with planting, regular watering and weeding.
Apart from unhelpful weather, their bugbears are dim-witted vandals and even thieves, who can spoil carefully-crafted displays in a thoughtless or selfish moment.
A brief moment of praise comes annually at the Mendip in Bloom presentation evening, where prizes are given and kind words said. This year’s event was in Wells Town Hall last week.
Administrative support comes from Martin Lofthouse at Mendip District Council and prizes are provided by sponsors, including Mid Somerset News & Media, Gaymer Cider Company, Glastonbury Festivals Ltd and Angela Yeoman.
But the volunteers deserve more credit. So next time you see someone working on a floral display in your town, city or village, please stop and offer a word of appreciation.
Philip Welch