City Council Support Graffiti

The old debate of whether Graffiti is an art or vandalism has often clashed authorities with the individual over the years but Southampton City Council claims to support local street artists.

Southampton Council Neighbourhood official, Chris Watters, believes that: If the artist’s has been given permission to spray/write on a surface then its art work, even if it’s not to our taste. However if the artists hasn’t been given permission, we consider it vandalism because it’s criminal damage.”

As a fine for a simple tag stands at £70, punishment doesn’t seem too harsh but if your name is becomes familiar around the streets and if the removal costs more than £5,000 pound you can end up in crown court with a criminal charge.

Mr Watters said: We try to act like a circuit breaker, as soon as we see illegal graffiti we try to identify the artists for example ‘Slam’ whose name is familiar around the streets. Once we communicate with them we can show them the red warning light flashing and ease them away from illegal places and find authorised places for them.”

There are a few areas within Southampton where street art can be performed legally. For example the Graffiti tunnel within the common, gypsy grove path way in Shirley and youth clubs throughout the city.

Local artist Edwards Hicks believes Southampton is moving in the right direction:

“It’s moving a lot faster than it realises. The cultural quarter (hopefully) could become a good place for meetings of minds. Due to the efforts of ‘Beyond Graffitti’ and ‘De5ign 4′ there is a great dialog with the council in terms of Council funded murals, workshops and demonstrations, This gives aerosol artists a better public face within the community and paves the way for better public art in general.”

Southampton police have even worked in collaboration with the artists, for example Mark Reynolds from PCSO’s worked with ‘Slam’ and other artists to produce the art work that has recently appeared in the St’ Mary’s tunnel to the football ground.

Mr Watters continues to say:

“If the art work is not racist, sexually explicit and obscene for example, then it can lift up dull areas of the city and should be considered art.”

Ewen O’Brien for Solent Speaker

Hoglands Park Not Fit For Cricket

Southampton Evening Cricket League has begged Southampton City Council to finally listen to their pleas and improve  ‘disgraceful’ pitches and parks that they are given to play on.

League officials say they have been complaining to Southampton City Council about a long list of problems at certain venues for over a decade, with Hoglands Park being one of the worst.

Their concerns have been about dangerous wickets and outfields, poor quality turf and anti social behaviour.

Southampton City Council responds to the complaints of the Evening Cricket league by saying: “We are enforcing our grounds men to carry out a lot more work on the cricket tables this coming season and hopefully this will improve the situation.”

The several complaints from the Southampton Evening Cricket league have left Southampton City grounds men fed up ‘with the blame put upon them.’

Hoglands Park grounds men, Grant Gifford feel they are being wrongly targeted: “The public are to blame, we clean the fields every day and maintain the open space area. However when we come to clean the next day the field is trashed with litter, the turf has been ruined by motorbikes or by people having bbq’s or bonfires. Our job never ends and is stress full when abuse is aimed at us.”

Gifford explains how disheartening the job is: “We clean it and then it’s trashed. We have been physically attacked by members of the public and negative abuse aimed at us. It’s unfair that the blame is placed on us, we are skilled greens men and we just try to do a job and it’s made very hard for us because of certain members of the public. Their needs to be more rules set out on what you can and can’t do within the grounds.”

The council have addressed the problems occurring in the park and have responded by saying: “With the park being in the centre of town and very popular we do have a problem with litter etc. We have asked the police and the City patrol to pay particular attention to this area and to challenge any anti social behaviour that they see. We have also asked our staff to report any problems so that we can monitor the situation.”

It is hoped that Hoglands Park will be able to hold full cricket games and event fixtures this year.

Ewen O’Brien for Solentspeaker.co.uk

Redhawks Flying High

First season rookies The Redhawks reign supreme in the league with the best defensive record and are unbeaten.

Last year The Redhawks were originally ‘The Stags’ in collaboration with Southampton University. However a league ruling came into place, which disallowed two Universities combining and the team split. This was the birth of The Redhawks and the team are flying high ever since they took flight.

Tom Dawson, 21, committee secretary, who plays running back said: “Since the split we are positive, it’s a fresh new start for us and it feels good. We didn’t have a choice about the split because we wouldn’t of been able to reach the play off’s if stayed together. “

Dawson revealed that the team are going for success and will do everything the can to make sure they secure victory: “A few players in the team are growing beards and are not allowed to shave until we lose or win the league and obtain those championship rings. This keeps the momentum going even if we do look a bit stupid” he said.

Red Hawk heading for touch down

The Redhawks made their success story definitive when thrashing their Southampton neighbours 33-0 earlier in the season.  Southampton Stags were placed at fourth in the league; this may suggest Redhawks coming of better from the split. Dawson said: “We kept a lot of the good players from the split, the whole of our defence stayed. We have the best defence record in the league so I suppose we came off better.”

Scoring 229 touchdowns and only conceding 24 is a very impressive record especially for a rookie team.  They could be the first ever team to enter the league and win it in their first season. They are currently in the play off’s stages with eight team left.

Matthew Bishop, Sports development manager for Solent said: “We are very proud of how The Redhawks are doing. Here at Solent we try to employ the right coaches and players to give them a chance to play and win. We have two rookie teams, one in basketball and the other in American Football, who have played 24 games and have only lost two. Sports Solent wants this success to continue to progress and develop.”

Current holders Birmingham Lions are Solent biggest rivals and they may inevitably meet in the final. The Lions have better funding than Solent, so The Redhawks could arguably go into the game as underdogs.  “We have quality team and some fantastic talent in defence, we are going all out for the win and to make history!”

The fiery Redhawk’s next game is set to be at Widelane on Sunday the 13th against UEA Pirates. It is promised to be game jam packed with action, Dawson said: “Widelane is one the best places to watch UK college American football and the atmosphere will be electric. We are aim to be dominant and secure a victory, we are very confident.”

Ewen O’Brien for the Solent Speaker

Reflexology-Myth or Medicine?

If you’ve had a tiring pregnancy, and feeling uncomfortable and particularly nauseous towards then end, have a go at Reflexology. This ancient form of healing is said to help treat many of the strains of pregnancy and even help you during labour.

Reflexology is the technique of applying gentle pressure to the pressure points on the feet or hands to clear the vital energy pathways that can become blocked due to the stresses and strains of life. The secret to it’s success in pregnant women, is it can help release the hormones that helps you contract whilst in labour. Maggie Smith, 64, a Southampton midwife and trained reflexologist said:

“Personally I feel it is very effective, it can help replace pain relief or control the pain whilst in labour and help people avoid being induced. I have had people sniggering with the whole idea of reflexology but a few hours later the woman have gone into labour. We have had an extremly good success rate.”

One of the many success stories that Mrs Smith has come across in her practice is Shelagh Hamilton, who has recently appeared in the Channel Four programme ‘One born every minute’ which was filmed at Southampton Princess Anne’s hospital. Maggie Mason who also appeared in the programme, performed the therapy for her and just hours later her waters broke. (follow on story) (Quotes)- ask maggie tomorrow

Sarah Shave, 39, from Itchen comments on her experience of reflexology whilst preganant:

“I was feeling particularly uncomfortable towards the end of my pregnancy so I received some sessions of reflexology. I heard that it helps relaxes your body and mind but also to induce labour. I wanted to avoid being induced.”

Mrs Smith said: “Despite our success rate we can’t really measure if it actually helps people into labour but it defiantly makes woman feel less anxious and relaxes them in later pregancy and labour.”

Midwifes advice that reflexology is like an exercise and should be done gradually and within your comfort range. That there are some conditions where it should be avoided, the main one is at any point before 37 weeks gestation.

Midwifes also advice that reflexology should be performed by professionals but under careful instructions it can be performed by a partner or somone the woman trusts.

Mrs Smith said: “It’s nice for the partners because they can feel they can help out by performing a few exercises that I have taught them. To know that they are helping their partner to relax and to ease pain can only be a good thing.”

Mrs Smith who aims to start up her own Reflexology practise when she retires believes there isn’t enough support from this alternative medicine:

“It’s a shame it’s not funded, the survival of the profession relies solely on people like me who advocate it in our spare time. I defiantly recommend it to all preganant women who are finding it tough in later pregnancy.”

By Ewen O’Brien for The Southern Daily Echo

Foreign Beggars stop by University to talk business

One of the most successful, distinctive and experimental Hip Hop groups to come out of the UK, takes time out of their 100 odd shows a year schedule to give advice to aspiring young artists and friends.

Vulgratron and Metropolis back stage

Racking up a wealth of experience within the industry, there were many eyes and ears focused intently on every word that came of their mouths, as if they were listening to them on their headphones or at a gig.

Over the years sharing the stage with the likes of public enemy, De la Soul, Ian Brown, Amy Winehouse and currently gigging with Prodigy, it may give you an understanding of what level these guys are on. Two albums already to their name, ‘Asylum Speakers’ arguably being favourite, followed by ‘Stray Point Agenda’, Foreign Beggars are back at it again with their long awaited third release ‘United Colours of Beggattron’.

In discussion and in a personal interview afterwards Orifice Vulgatron and Metropolis shed light on the gloomy industry:

How did you get recognised?

Vulgatron:

In our day it was different, internet wasn’t the main focus for the press back then, for distribution or promotion. We would target key places like home grown rap magazines by sending our c.d’s in and having our music placed in independent hip hop stores. With the help of plastering stickers around London the information just spread. That was the gateway to hip hop back then.

Can anyone be an artist now days?

Vulgatron:

You have to be careful what you put out there but yes now days you can create music in your bedroom with the right software, you can do you own graphics, videos etc. You can run your own empire from your bedroom and become an artist over night.

How should the current day new artist tackle the industry?

Performing for fans at Smile 10

Metropolis:

I think the main thing is communication, your branding and your placement.

To know your competition, do your market research, be creative and have respect for the art form. If anyone else can do it, you can do it. Although have high standards with what you do. Music is a powerful thing, gives you a voice to talk your listener and get your message out there. It’s also wise to experiment with your music to create something different and to keep it fresh.

How to get recognised?

Manager: Networking is very important, to meet people and make an impression. You need to follow up and nurture relationships. Get yourself in the network systems so you can reach the public.

A lot of it comes down to is the person you are, how you present yourself, what your product is, what you have to offer and who you know. These are the absolute basic principles.

Vulgatron: You need to have inspirations and put the hard work in, for example branding your own work, releasing it, investing in it, putting on your own nights. Then once you do that people take you seriously.

Just network and be on the ball, any one you speak to just keep there contacts. If you want to work with any artists or anyone just approach them, never hold back.

By Ewen O’Brien for the Solent Speaker

Promising Creative Hub

A creative Hub is looking set to appear in a Shopping centre in Southampton.

The unique facility aims to offer the city a safe creative workspace for young people, providing them with workshops and activities in music, film, dance and other forms of media.

Matt Salvage from SoCo Music Project said: “The hub will help to develop, nurture, encourage and sustain creative and cultural practice within the city.”

SoCo Music Project which is a not-for-profit community music project based in Southampton, has been set up to provide fun and engaging music projects for people of all ages.

They have worked with schools, community groups, youth clubs and have recently won the People’s Millions bid. The money from this is being put towards a media studio in the Thornhill area.

The Hub aims to attract all musicians to collaborate together and to encourage individual talents. Open to the public, it charges no money but aims to set up a community service in return for workspace.

Matt said: “We hope to engage with local creative practitioners to help them develop their practice by offering work space in return for running workshops for young people.”

The Creative Hub plans to appear on the vacant site of Most Clothing in The Bargate shopping centre. The project is looking to start a gradual launch in March and to start opening two to three days a week.

Matt said “It has a lot of potential to lift the cultural provision in the city, especially for young people.” said Matt.

Solent sails to seal place in the world championship!

Thirty six university teams from across the country and Ireland embarked upon the shores of Port Solent and Gunwharf for four days of tough yachting. With the weather changing from good to bad over the week, it provided an appropriate back drop for a tough test for the young sailors.

On the last day of a blustery week, the sun shined bright to help Solent University scoop first and second place prizes in the BUSA Yachting Nationals. Solent has now won it for the fifth year in a row and the 9th time in the past 11 years.

Team Solent celebrate dominance

Solent University’s yachting ability defiantly packs a heavy punch, with Guy Jackson and crew wining, by retaining their lead over the week on the final day of the Yachting Nationals. Fellow Southampton Solent sailor and 2009 Champion, Chris Witty, finished well by securing second place by edging ahead of Plymouths Tom Phipps by only just two points.

Also racing for Solent, Oscar Mead, experienced his first race in the yachting nationals and came in a respectable 9^th position, which helps firmly establish Solent’s position as the premier yachting institution in the yachting sector.

Guy Jackson, Solent third year student, studying yacht design, is overjoyed to secure his first win of the BUSA yachting nationals, he said: “I’m ecstatic, so happy that I secured 1^st place and the chance to sail in the world championships. It’s a very competitive competition, our main threat were Plymouth, Newcastle and Southampton.”

Guy went on to say how he and fellow Solent student Chris Watte, had a small rivalry going on this year: “I know Chris is a great sailor and he was looking to retain his title so I had to really focus to hold my lead over the week because I knew he would be breathing down my neck.”

Second place skipper, Chris Watte, 22, said: “I’m a bit gutted that I didn’t retain my title but second place is still brilliant and in the end I’m glad that Guy secured victory for Solent. I think we will be celebrating until the early hours of tomorrow.”

Solent’s continual success in the yachting sector means good news for future Solent yachting. When a student does well in sport for their university, the university is awarded BUSA points, which means funding for that particular sport.

Matt Bishop, sport development manager at Solent University said: “This year we have had a lot of success with a variety of sport teams at Solent. I am particularly thrilled that Solent has once again secured victory in the BUSA Yachting finals and continued to make an impact upon the sport.”

The student yachting world championships will be held in France, in Carnarc, which apparently has a gelato bar that holds the Guinness Book of Records for The most flavours of ice cream. Guy Jackson intends to enjoy himself but focus intently on winning and flying the Solent flag high for his team and university:

Guy: “I can’t stop now I’ve won this. I need to start preparing for the World championship in July. I will have the opportunity to race with my current team in the race; it should be a fantastic event for everyone.”

By Ewen O’Brien for: http://www.solentspeaker.co.uk

Work Experience Log

Reflective Online Log

Whilst on work experience I gained vital key skills that have developed my understanding of all areas of journalism.

Until my first work experience placement at The Southern Daily Echo, my skills in interviewing, working to a deadline, structuring articles, gathering contacts were rarely used. Writing the odd blog here or there or an article for a university project was clearly not enough because as soon as I started my placement it made me realise why I want to be a journalist.

First Placement with The Daily Echo

Days leading up to my first placement, I was advised by the PR to the editor, to bring a story idea with me to work on over the forthcoming week. I made it my priority to impress whilst on my work experience so I spent a whole weekend searching for story possibilities. Managing to bring three story ideas with me I seemed to impress on arrival. I proposed to do a story on the history of Poppies and if the public were aware of why use the flower to symbolise/remember war. Also a reflective article on being a student and a parent and a story on a local charity who encourage youth to be involved in music.

I was given the go ahead on both my reflective and charity article. The poppy story was ruled out due to another writer proposing the same idea to the editor just minutes before I turned up. This for me was frustrating but it gave me a good insight into how I have to be on the ball and dig deeper for articles.

Over the first couple of days I put in a lot of screen hours in, this was to get the articles written on time for the deadline that I had been given by the editor. Learning to use the office phones and computers, I used these to get in contact with people I needed to interview and to gather further information.

Whilst writing these articles, I understood the Daily Echo had a certain writing style, so I spoke to several of the reporters to help get the gist of it. The Echo likes short punchy sentences, to give the reader clear cut information and news. Under guidance from some of the Echo reporters I successfully managed this style by the end of the first day, which I perfected over the week.

Whilst talking to the reporters and editors on my placement, I got speaking to the sports editor when helping out with some scanning. In conversation it came up that my Grandfather is George O’Brien, who is the most prolific goal scorer in Southampton Football Club’s history. He immediately asked me whether I could do an inside story on him, which turned out to be a two page spread.

The story on my Grandfather became my main priority over the week and I successfully interviewed my Grandfather and gathered information from a variety of sources, including football players he used to play with and Saints FC club books.

Other activities I got myself involved with over the week were, presenting the morning headlines for The Daily Echo website on two occasions, shadowing reporters and also completing Vox pop’s for articles for several reporters at the Echo. Apart from just willing to help out where I can whilst on work experience and to look proactive on the job, Vox pop’s helped improve my interviewing skills whilst out amongst the public.

Overall the week gave me priceless insight into the working environment of a newsroom, for example what software they work with or how the stories are passed through to print. I feel more confident in my abilities to be a journalist and my efforts were applauded with a near on perfect appraisal form.

Week Two at The Daily Echo

Being slightly experienced of the newsroom environment now, I decided this time around I would try to take more of independent approach whilst on my placement. This meant trying not to ask for guidance or help as much I did on my first work placement. I wanted to blend in as if I was a reporter myself. I chose to do this as I wanted to impress and to not bother reporters with questions.

As I experienced last time, it impressed the editors if I turned up with a bag story ideas. I made it a main priority to search and obtain at least two story ideas for when I arrived.

My stories were given the go ahead which were about a new creative hub opening up in Southampton, a baby swaddling article and a feature on the Secret Wars scene.

Over the week I focussed myself on getting in the paper and to have my stories heard. I did this by securing good quotes and photos for my articles and keeping the editor informed of any updates. I also helped out with the usual Vox Pops and shadowing of reporters which helped furthered my journalistic knowledge.

Being my second week at The Echo, I started to get to know some of the reporters better. I was able to gain great insight into how to get into the journalism industry and what are the best steps to take. Overall outcome of conversations with several writers were that a lot of the time you have to work for free and to try and impress whilst on work experience placements to get a good reference.

Building a good relationship with the reporters and editors I saw as important because they have now become reliable contacts for me. For example when I think of a good entertainment story idea, I can approach the entertainment editor of The Echo as someone who they know. This connection makes it even more likely for my articles to be published and to secure their confidence in my ability to write and report.

I offered to work for both the entertainment section and the mum about town section for free outside my work placement. I have been told by both sections that I am more than welcome to contribute on a regular basis.

Week Three at The Daily Echo

It being my third placement at The Echo I felt comfortable with my surroundings. I knew how to work all the computer and phones, I no longer needed the introductory tour. I went straight to a computer and instantly started making phone calls and also approaching certain writers and editors with stories. Learning how to put stories on the diary and booking out photographers are just some of the skills I learnt on my placements.

Overall in my third week I was independent, comfortable and capable of being a journalist. Once again I turned up with several story ideas, one being on Reflexology, Text a Toastie Christian charity and a previous Secret Wars story idea. This were all given the approval of the editor.

I was very busy over the week with writing my articles and sorting out photos to accompany them. I travelled with photographers to all of my jobs but also to other jobs too. This gave me an insight into the role of a photographer at a paper and how demanding and important their job is. Whilst out with the photographers they informed me of similar view that some of the reporters gave me, which was of how competitive the industry is and that you have to work for free a lot when starting out.

In the midst of meeting deadlines for my articles, I was approached by the business editor of the paper to help him with a story idea he had. The story was based on rent increasing and he wanted me to help provide case studies and insights into the possibility of rent increasing in Hampshire.

We both decided that we should focus on the reactions of students and young couples because they are bound to be the hardest hit by this up rise. I arranged interviews and photography of two case studies and delivered it promptly in time for print. I received a joint by-line with the business editor which I was glad to earn.

On the hunt for news stories at all times seem to be a key skill to a journalist and I believe I have become good at this. Over the week I managed to secure two further stories from being out on the job reporting.

Whilst out speaking to students for the rent story, I was informed of a new festival happening on the approaching Saturday called EjectorSeat. Back at the office, I noticed on the diary that no one at The Echo had written a preview for this event, so I approached the entertainment editor with the idea. She was surprised no one had written anything on it yet and asked to me get straight on to it; which I finished by the end of the day.

My other example of an eye for a good story happened again whilst out reporting for my Text a Toastie article. I got talking to one of the members of a student run Christian charity and managed to secure another story. This story focused on a new coffee shop in chandler’s ford that donates 100% of their profits to charity and that over 90% of their staff are unpaid. Back at the office, the editor said this was a great interest story and said for me to get straight on with it. I instantly went to the coffee shop, had a cup of coffee and interviewed the manager about the project. I have since spoken to the founders of the charity, watched their documentaries and gathered all relevant information.

The Text a Toastie and the coffee shop article have both been confirmed to go to press but within the next two weeks. I also had a discussion with the features editor who liked the Secret Wars story idea and has asked me to attend their next battle/performance at the end of June with one of their photographers.

Whilst at The Echo I decided to take the advice that some of the reporters had given me. So I offered to work for both the entertainment section and the mum about town section for free outside my work placement. I have been told by both sections that I am more than welcome to contribute on a regular basis. I have already taken this opportunity by writing an article for the mum about town section, which is based on being a father for the first time on the upcoming Fathers day.

The work experience placements that I completed at The Daily Echo, have given me a great insight into the newsroom and print journalism. It has confirmed my desire to be a journalist and awoken my journalistic abilities. I have now full confidence within my skills to interview, working to a deadline and under pressure, structuring articles, gathering contacts etc. I am most pleased with developing a professional writing style and securing excellent references.

I have secured further work experience with The Echo over the summer to help build up a larger portfolio. This will help when applying for further work experience placements or jobs at other publications in the future.

Story For Radio Newsday

ROADS in Winchester are more dangerous than the national average.

During the last 18 months, 222 people suffered major or fatal injuries on Winchester’s roads.

Winchester city council are collecting data from the police and fire services. This is to help identify where crashes are happening, and why, in order to take action.

Councillors are due to debate a strategy to make Winchester a safer place to live on the 16^th .

“The Nextmen” Review

WHATS NEXT, NEXTMEN?

Whats next, Nextmen, can be heard in a familiar childhood cartoon voice, blaring out of the speakers of stereo’s which home the current album ‘This Was Supposed To Be The Future,’ from the mix masters ‘The Nextmen’.

The two piece stopped by to fuel the party in the unique surroundings of the Orange Rooms, Southampton, and they unsurprisingly did not disappoint.

These cut chemists consist of  Brad Baloo (real name Brad Ellis) and Dom Search (real name Dominic Betmead)

Anyone who finds real love and genuine passion in urban music should have an idea of how good these boys’s really are. What makes them so recognisable and gives them so much flavour, is that there really isn’t a music boundary that they won’t cross. As someone who witnessed their set on the Friday, I can agree their focus music is urban but they will show you their blatant disregard for music genres when they throw punk, 80’s pop, rock, soul and everything else into one big bowl which all of the crowd can have a taste of, and trust me it tastes good. The music blends so well you can’t notice the change in genres, the only thing you notice is how you can’t actually stop bopping your head to their thunder clap beats; even hours after the show you find yourself looking like one of those Winston Churchill dogs in the back of a tractor.

When these boys where finding their roots as DJ’S, Brad abandoned a weekend job playing covers of The Police on a piano in a Cambridge pub; after hearing an Ice T track on the radio he soon got to work. Dom found his first turntable in a rubbish skip aged 13 years old. Obviously their history doesn’t really give any insight into the future they’ve created, because their addictive beats has found them working with such legends as Public Enemy, Blackalicious, The Pharcyde and Morcheeba. Though their tales from the blurry days are amusing nonetheless.

All in all a set from ‘The Nextmen’ is like one big lesson in the history of head bopping and mouth grinning music… all in one night! Isn’t that the best history lesson you’re ever likely to have? The next time these blend crafters come into town make sure you get yourself involved people! Much Recommended.