My new setting
After leaving the Cardiff Journalism School in June, I started working as a reporter for the BBC.
During my journalism training at CJS I specialised in agriculture and rural living in Wales. As you will see from my earlier blog posts, I went on a journey of discovery. Some of the stand-out moments for me include, touching a Red Kite, following the Llangeinor hunt in a Landrover (both a first!) and spending time at Lakeside Farm Park with Eira Edwards.
Even after leaving Wales, I still managed to have a bit of “The Good Life”. BBC Hereford and Worcester, BBC Radio Gloucestershire and BBC Radio Derby all cover rural areas. So, during the Summer I reported on the start of the apple season in Gloucestershire at Hilter Farm and ventured into the Derbyshire Dales to meet the singing sensations and Channel Five’s, Don’t Stop Believing winners, Dale Diva.
In complete contrast I’ve met women who’ve fled domestic violence and overcome eating disorders. I’ve become a wasp catcher for the day and reported from the Brazil versus Ukraine friendly at Pride Park.
Most of all, I’ve enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life and helping them tell their stories, like the Irish community in Derby.
Of course, no one day is the same and you’ve got to react well to change. For example, my producer at BBC Radio Derby, Daryl Jackson sent me to a Derby City Council cemetery to report on the flower bins being removed but whilst I was there I came across a woman who’d fallen into a hole as she was cleaning her husband’s grave. This became my story of the day.
So, what’s new? Nine days ago, I moved to London with my CJS pal and business journalist , Elizabeth Anderson. In truth, I was getting a little lonely living with my parents in Herefordshire and was eager for new opportunities. After a month of relentless interviews and applications I’m pleased to say I’ll be joining the social enterprise, Latimer Creative in January.
For now, I’ve been exploring my Lambeth surroundings like the Saturday Oval Farmers Market at the end of our road.
And I ‘ve also discovered the quirky City Farms in the smoke. Here I am at Mudchute City Farm which you can get to on the DLR.
It’s quite spectacular looking out across a farm-yard and seeing the Canary Wharf skyline. This is my London.
Mudchute City Farm
