December 2007 Archives

Christmas is always a bit of a nightmare for us journalists as it usually means a massive change to deadlines. This year has been no different with the team having to get two papers ready in one week. To be honest by the time Christmas Day arrives I am normally sick to the back teeth of it as it seems to have been a month in the planning for us!
However this year we have had some really positive stories that have cheered me up. We have had some lovely Nativity pictures which can't fail to warm the heart and the Examiner has also carried the story of little Harry who this year is celebrating the festive season cancer free.
All that remains is for me to wish readers a very happy Christmas and I hope you all have an enjoyable one.

This week our frontpages feature a story about a group of council officers who went on a 'team building' cookery class and lunch at the taxpayers expense.
The £79 a head jolly has really riled readers who have been calling up and also leaving comments on the website.
One chap did however comment that we had been unfair to the council and that lots of businesses hold team building exercises. That is true, but most businesses are not publicly accountable and are able to use money they have made to pay for such things.
I remember doing team building games when I was at school. We'd stand in a circle and throw a ball to each other having to say our names and then the person we were throwing the ball to. All great fun and a bit of a laugh and all for the cost of a ball!
After work drinks on a Friday also seem to help build relations, just ask my old news editor and senior reporter!

I had my first Christmas dinner today after Bucks Association for the Blind invited me to join them at their meeting today.
More than 40 of us sat down to a traditional roast. It was a great opportunity for me to find out more about the group which meets every Monday at Emmanuel Church in Broad Street, Chesham.
Joan Berry, who I was seated next to, explained that for some members it is the only chance they have to get out and socialise.
It was a great atmosphere and I really enjoyed myself, so thanks to the group for inviting me along.

I was really looking forward to last night's Victorian Evening in Chesham, but then the rains came!
I just can't believe how unlucky the event is as exactly the same thing happened last year. What is even more annoying is that it was fine up until about 4.30pm and then the heavens opened. It was the same for Chesham Carnival in the summer.
Anyway I wasn't about to let a bit of water put me off, so armed with my brolly I headed in to Chesham.
I was pleased to see that lots of other people turned out to support the event and I hope it was still a success from the organisers point of view.