Tag Archives: local newspapers

Around the Argyll newspapers

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For Argyll sweeps Argyll at depth and covers the bigger picture beyond – but never forget Continue reading →

Old media PINned In by new technologies

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ForArgyll tweeted from the Scottish Local Newspaper Summit on Friday Continue reading →

This week’s papers: Oban Times article puts Camelot in Argyll

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Argyll is well served by its local newspapers. The prize in a sample of this week’s Continue reading →

Will Brown now introduce the stocks as the latest PR decoy from his management of the economy?

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The UK Government announced last night – wait for it – that it is to print leaflets with details of minor court judgments and then bombard localities with these things to name and shame the culprits. Presumably this is to provide guaranteed income for the private sector businesses to whom 30% of the Post Office is to be sold?

The argument is that local newspapres have largely stopped printing the details of local court reports – not in Argyll – and that petty criminals respond more to this naming and shaming in their home areas than they do to imprisonment. That argument however, is not backed up by what would have been a logical parallel move – to cut jail sentences whose ineffectiveness would be replaced by state-controlled naming and shaming.

No mention of the enviromental costs of paper production for this stunt. No mention of the cost to the taxpayer of distribution costs – at a time when we’re in hock to the tune of £2 trillion thanks to the unregulated banks. And no mention of using the Internet – which is the obvious option in today’s communications: fast, cheap, universally available.

It’s a short hop from papering the country with more junk mail to next week’s whizzy announcement that naming and shaming is to be upgraded by the reinroduction of the stocks – vinegar-soaked sponges provided free, courtesy of you and me.

But hey, as we clear the junk mail from our halls it won’t half take our minds off that £2 trillion debt Prudence (did we ever seriously call him that?) has got us into. Not.

Winners in ForArgyll Awards 2008

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Let’s start with recognising remarkably galvanic energies in a range of Argyll communities Continue reading →

30th December: update on voting patterns in ForArgyll Awards 2008

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Remember voting closes at midnight GMT tomorrow (31st December). At the usual sort of time tomorrow night, we’ll publish a final position update; the schedule for the announcement of the winners; and the details of the awards.

Today, as we moved towards the final 24 hours, the ticking clock saw more non-stop voting, a lot of activity and some interesting developments.The twenty-four countries already represented in the vote were joined today by another eight: Azerbaijan; Belgium; Czech Republic; Finland; Iraq; Ireland (Republic); Israel; South Africa; and the first votes from Wales.

Some people are so engaged with the contest that they voted today, forgetting that they had already done so a day or so ago. But nothing escapes our filters – and some of you who submitted votes without selecting your candidate on the form will have had emails from us reproducing the form you’d sent and asking you to confirm your vote. So – to the best of our ability, all votes are fair and no vote has been wasted.

The liveliest action today has been in the following categories: Best Blog; Best Heritage Website; Best Music & Arts Organisation; Best Tourism; Best Event; Best Community Event; Best Achievement; Best Arts Website; Best Sporting Facility; and Best Potential for 2009.

So, category by category, here’s the picture as it is just now, with 24 hours to go:

  • Best Accommodation: After today’s action one vote now separates the two contestants tied last night
  • Best Individual or Group Achievement: One contestant in the lead from a level field in second
  • Best Arts Website: One contestant in the lead now but catchable
  • Best Blog: Biggest action of the day with one clear lead and strong second contestant
  • Best Community Event: More strong voting today with last night’s lead moving further away
  • Best Community Initiative: Last night’s lead strengthened
  • Best Community Website: More lively action with a clear lead from a level field
  • Best ecommerce Website: Last night’s lead strengthened
  • Best Event: Early leader has pulled clear again after being caught last night
  • Best Heritage Website: Late starter moves into respectable lead but is catchable
  • Best Local Newspaper Website: Last night’s lead strengthened
  • Best Music & Arts Organisation: Late starter’s lead strengthened today with strong second also on the move and two others level, not far behind
  • Best Potential for 2009: Last night’s strengthened in more lively voting today
  • Best Renewable Energy Initiative: energetic activity sees last night’s lead hold position
  • Best Restaurant: Looks like a close finish with a strong finish coming in to challenge the leader
  • Best Sporting Facility: A lot of action today sees last night’s leader stronger
  • Best Tourism Website: More busy voting with last night’s leader establishing position
  • Best Village Hall: More support for all contestants but last night’s lead is maintained
  • Best Visitor Attraction: Active category again with last night’s lead still out there
  • Best Wildlife Website:Lively voting but leader for last two days takes a third day