Short Report 'Time To Ditch The Weighs'

At the bottom of the page is my report on the pressure for the audience to conform to the media's idealistic body.

Short Report 'Time To Ditch The Weighs'

At the bottom of the page is my report on the pressure for the audience to conform to the media's idealistic body.

Profile Of An Individual - 'A Day In The Life Of A Manager'

News and Current Affairs

Report Of An Individual

Individual : ‘A Day In The Life Of A Manager’

Mr Rhodri Llyr Luke Jones, Administration and Communications Manager for the Education Department of the City and County of Swansea.

Mr Jones was happily enjoying his weekend away visiting family in North Wales when suddenly an announcement on Radio Cymru news startled him. Penyrheol Comprehensive, a local school in Gorseinon, Swansea, had burnt down in the early hours of the morning. Jones being the Administration and Communications manager for the education department of the City and County of Swansea, had to immediately jump in his car and drive the five hours to the ‘Graveyard of Ambition.’

“My main duties are to manage administration support for all education heads of service and all communications of functions to deal with media, schools, etc.” says Jones. When asked what has been the most challenging ordeal to be faced with since starting his job a year ago, his answer was the fire in Penyrheol School which happened at 01.00 on the 18^th of March, 2006. Jones’s role in the event was to ensure that clear and concise information was given to all involved including teachers, parents and pupils.

Jones described what is currently happening to the facility and pupils concerned. On the 14^th of April at 08.00 it was announced that all pupils of Penyrheol Comprehensive are due to be back in class by Monday, May the 15^th. Year nine will return to the school grounds on Monday the 8^th of May. On Monday the 15^th of May year 11 will go on study leave and year 8 will return to the school site. Year 7 will begin lessons in Gorseinon College Tre Uchaf site also on this day. Pupils not in class between the end of the Easter break and May the 15^th will be mailed new workbooks and offered recreational activities.

The Education manager also mentioned of the ‘Borders Fun Day’ that is being held on bank holiday Monday in the Fforstfach store, in order to raise money for the reconstruction of the school buildings. The fun day will include a readathon, Easter Egg treasure hunt, story times and face painting. Jones is keen to pressure on the need for help from the public for volunteers, anyone interested should ring KJ Fowler on 01792 579578. There is also a karaoke fundraising evening taking place in the New Lodge Club, Alexandra Road, Gorseinon on Tuesday the 18^th of April from 6-11pm. This event has been arranged by a new organisation ‘Friends of Penyrheol Comprehensive’ which has developed since the fire.

“Apart from being in charge of the Education department, I am also currently helping with the organisation of the forthcoming Eisteddfod which will be held in Swansea during the summer,” states Jones.

Hopefully we will hear more from Mr Rhodri Jones soon for more information on the development of the school and also any fundraising events in the future for the school and the Eisteddfod.

Profile Of An Individual - Interview

News and Current Affairs

Profile Of An Individual

Interview

Name: Rhodri Llyr Luke Jones

Occupation: Administration and communications manager for the education department city and county of swansae

How long have you been working in this field? year

What are your main duties?

My main duties are to manage administration support for all education heads of service and all communications of functions to deal with media, schools, etc

What is the most challenging thing you have had to face?

I would have to say the recent event of Penyrheol Comprehensive school burning down.

What is your role in helping with the Penyrheol fire?

Ensuring clear and concise information to all involved, for all teachers, parents and pupils especially.

How did you hear about it?

I was listening to Radio Cymru up in North Wales whilst visiting my family when I heard of the news, so I quickly rushed home to Swansea.

What is currently happening?

April 14th at 08.00

· All pupils of Penyrheol Comprehensive School are due to be back in class by Monday, May 15.

· Year nine will return to the Penyrheol site on Monday, May 8.

· On Monday, May 15 Year 11 will go on study leave and Year 8 will return to the school site.

· On Monday, May 15 Year 7 will begin lessons in Gorseinon College's Tre Uchaf site.

· Pupils not in class between the end of the Easter break and May 15 will be mailed new workbooks and offered recreational activities.

April 12th at 16.45

· Members of the public are being urged to take part in the Borders fun day this bank holiday Monday (April 17) in the Fforestfach store. The school has an account with the Fforestfach store. The fun day is due to feature a readathon, Easter egg treasure hunt, storytimes and face painting. Volunteers are needed for the readathon element of the fun day, from 10am-6pm. This will involve book lovers sitting in a comfortable armchair, reading a favourite work. For fun day details phone KJ Fowler on 01792 579578.

· A karaoke evening is set to give school fundraising a boost. Song stars are being urged to attend the event at New Lodge Club, Alexandra Road, Gorseinon, on Tuesday, April 18, from 6-11pm. The event is being arranged by new group Friends of Penyrheol Comprehensive. Anyone interested in the group should email: penyrheolfriends@aol.com

Any other responsibilities?

Apart from being in charge of the Education department, I am also currently helping with the organisation of the forthcoming eisteddfod which will be held in Swansea.

Thank you very much for your time Mr Jones, good luck with everything in the future.

'Tab Be Or Not Tab Be'

The Smoking Ban 'Con' Argument

News and Current Affaors

‘Pro’ and ‘Con’ Argument

‘The Smoking Ban’

‘CON’ SMOKING BAN

• Hospitality industries ‘Umbrella Group’ believe that after seeing the effects of the smoking ban in New York, they have predicted a decrease of 30% in pub and restaurant takings.

• ‘Forest’ is an organisation which has the motto ‘A haven for smokers and non smokers who believe in freedom of choice.’

• There are talks already in Scotland, where the ban is already in place, of plain clothed tobacco controllers wondering the streets, they will follow home anyone that fail to pay any fines. These Police officers have had a song written bout them by Eric Layman called the ‘Smoke Police.’ (See Blog.)

• Eric Layman is a member of ‘Forest’ and wishes to attack these smoke police. He believes people should have freedom of speech. Non smokers are allowed to campaign as much as a smoker should be allowed to smoke where they so wish.

• One argument against the smoking ban is, where will it stop? What comes next after this ban? Will the government ban drinking?

• ‘Business Tuesday’, explains how a few businesses have already began to feel the strain of the new law with a decrease in profits.

• An American non smoking bar owner says the ban is costing him $70,000 a year gross profit. Is this the future for UK businesses?

• The ban will create many unanswered questions.

• You will not be able to smoke in own car, in a taxi, company cars, company lorry.

• Jen, 21, believes strongly against the future ban. She believes it will reduce options for nights out for smokers, encourage smokers to stay in and she doesn’t believe the ban will have any affect on the decrease of smokers. She believes a small number of businesses will have to close, as seen in Dewi’s in Cardiff.

Jen believes that the ban is a “form of prejudice against smokers” and will have “severe repercussions on this section of society.” She continues, “I am totally against an overall ban. Why not simply assign a few select bars as non-smoking so as to allow both smokers and non-smokers the option to choose.”

• Tom, 22, says that he is also against it as he believes that most people will find a way around anyway. He believes that “physicallybetter off, if I have to go outside for a cigarette I will probably smoke less. Socially I don’t think it will have much effect.

The Smoking Ban 'Pro' Argument

News and Current Affairs

‘Pro’ and ‘Con’ Argument

‘The Smoking Ban’

‘PRO’ SMOKING BAN

• ⅔ of non- smokers are disturbed by smoking.

• There will be a rise in businesses such as ‘Smoking Ban Solutions’ whom have already come up with ideas of objects to sell in order to increase sales, for example, wall mounted cigarette bins, smoking shelters and servicing contracts.

• ‘The Health Service’ strongly agrees with the ban and hopes that it will result in less underage children smoking.

• BBC News reported on the 9^th of March, 2006, said that the ban will hopefully save 4,800 lives each year.

• Non smoking employers will not have to work in smoking environments.

• Many restaurants and pubs will become non smoking.

• Money that the NHS uses for smokers each year could be used for other things, an estimate of £2m every week could be used in hospitals to build more cancer recovery and children wards for example.

• 50,000 smokers are estimated to give up.

• 85% of former smokers support the ban as they do not wish to give in to temptation that surrounds them daily.

• The smoking ban could help Prince Harry quit.

• Enclosed stadiums will become non smoking.

• Smoking will be banned from bus stops.

• Train platforms will be smoke free.

• Eleri Thomas, 20, believes that the ban will make smoking an inconvenience and it will help people to cut down which will eventually cut down the percentage of smokers in the UK. It will also help on cutting down the number of under age smokers.

Eleri doesn’t think that it will affect restaurants greatly but believes unfortunately bars will suffer, especially on match days and big turn over days. “It won’t stop me going out and socialising although I do consider smoking as an acceptable social act. Physically it will be great because it will encourage me to quit and make it easier to stay off them.” (see interview 1, 13/04/06)

She believes that the ban is a good idea, but it is important that support is given to people that are trying to give up.

• Will, 21 supports the ban strongly. He believes that pubs will loose on business but not for long. He looks upon the ban as a personal advantage, “I hate breathing in other peoples smoke. Physically, the ban will decrease passive smoking, which will obviously be an advantage for the health of non smokers and anti smokers such as myself. I think it’s taken a long time for the government to come to this decision and should have taken action sooner.” (see interview 2, 13-04-06)

• “About Bloody Time” says Dan, 20. (see interview 3, 13-04-06)

• Lucy is totally for the ban believing it is essential. When asked about the effects on businesses she believed that at first smokers will not enter non smoking bars, but they will overcome this when people start giving up and realise that a non smoky atmosphere is better. “I think it has been a long time coming, and I totally welcome it. Smoking is detrimental not just to the health of the smoker, but others around them, and it shouldn’t be allowed to continue in any public place.” (see interview 4, 13-04-06)

• Jenny, 21, a smoker herself, mainly supports the ban but admits that she is being bias as she knows the ban will help her quit smoking. She believes there will not be a great pressure on restaurants as most people choose to sit in the non smoking area anyway. “A ban will upset a lot of people who feel they should be able to smoke if they wish, even if only in certain marked out areas.” (see interview 5, 13-04-06)

Although the majority of people interviewed were FOR the forthcoming smoking ban, some were not decided.

• Matt, 21, believed that it will be beneficial in restaurants but not in pubs. “It will become annoying that you will have to leave a bar just for a cigarette but it might make me consider quitting so obviously that would be a good thing.” (see interview 6, 13-04-06)

• Chris, 22, didn’t really mind either way and said that “smokers will probably carry on anyway,” although he was happy that it will stop him being a victim of passive smoking. (see interview 7, 13-04-06)

'The Smoke Police' by Eric Layman

This is a poem I found whilst researching the up and coming smoking ban in the UK, and the talks of undercover police men taking control of smokers. It is written by Eric Layman who believe in the freedom of speech, he is a member of the 'Forest' organisations which has the motto, 'A haven for smokers and non smokers who believe in freedom of choice.'

Lyrics to 'The Smoke Police'

The undercover smoke police,
the ferrets for tobacco:
will they make a busybody cause
into a city cash cow?

Undercover smoke police
skulk in holes and corners:
they do not warn you openly
like a cop in uniform does.

If you can't afford a separate room,
don't let your patrons smoke:
someone might snitch, and the powers that be
will fine you till you're broke.

Who knows if they will ask to smoke,
thus hoping to entrap you?
Who knows if they'll just sit and look,
then with a summons slap you?

The undercover smoke police,
and others of their flavor:
'for your own good' is what they say,
as inchwise they enslave you.

So vote the nanny state from power,
and put it out to pasture;
a grown-up doesn't want or need
a meddler for a master.

Copyright © Eric Layman, 2001

The Evening Post Analysis

Analysis of News Article

‘The Evening Post’ (Saturday, April 8^th, 2006)

“New Witness In Sex Shop Murder”

By Rhiannon Beacham – Crime Reporter

This particular piece of writing is more of an appeal than an article, it explains of the 20^th Anniversary f the death of Sandra Phillips, a Swansea sex shop owner that was murdered in June 1985. In June 2005, there began a re-investigation which has led to some positive leads.

Detective Superintendent Simon Clark appeared on BBCs ‘Crime Watch UK’ last October to plead for any further witnesses to come forward, and luckily an extra 200 witnesses have become acknowledged since the broadcast. Police Officers have travelled all over the UK to take statements, this shows how important this case is to the South ales Police, even after all this time. DS Clark makes it clear that although new evidence has finally been found there are still certain people he vitally needs to speak with in order to solve this important crime.

‘The Evening Post’ shows it’s loyalty to the community by showing this appeal. It is a case that is desperate to be solved and any further media support may help the Police.

The newspaper is more or less talking one to one with the audience in the last passage by including a quote from the murdered woman’s daughter. It instantly draws in the audience and connotes sorrow, it unconsciously says ‘Help us, Please.”

Profile Of An Institution - Penyrheol School

Profile Of An Institution

Fire Trouble In Gorseinon - The Damage

At approximately 1am on Saturday the 18^th of March, 2006, a fire light up the small village of Gorseinon, the close community were in utter shock when finding out that the local school, Penyrheol Comprehensive was the cause. The 1000 pupil school was at blaze, at the time no one knew how such a thing could have started. South Wales Police were instantly urging for any witnesses to come forward with any information, later ‘BBC News’ told us that there were witnesses who saw 3 teenage males of around 17 years old running away from the building shortly after the fire began. “I just can’t believe it, it’s such a shock!” says Sion Davies, a former Penyrheol student, who had come home from University to visit his family that weekend.

This incident wasn’t the first fire ever seen at the school, in 1976 the building had to be rebuilt after a fire caused damage.

At 01.30 on Saturday morning the fire was spotted and emergency services were beginning to arrive. At 03.30 there was strong winds causing the fire to spread and the smoke was out of control, fire men had to be called from all over South and West Wales. By 05.00 the fire was under control and the damage was beginning to show. The school had vanished taking with it Science, Business, Computing, Staff Areas, Dining Rooms and kitchens.

The worst thing that came out of this ordeal is the loss of GCSE work, the final Art Coursework that takes two years to complete had disappeared with the fire and had been handed in the week before. Also it has caused problems throughout Gorseinon. The computer systems in Gorseinon Library was destroyed as it is controlled from the school, but luckily it was sorted out quite soon after the fire, and is now one of the main facilities for students and staff to use to work. ‘Communications Manager for the Swansea Education Department,’ Rhodri Jones, explained what has been happening since the fire, “Years 10 and 11 have returned to school using the Annex buildings provided, we are hoping that years 7, 8 and 9 will return shortly after the Easter holidays. During the time since the school has been closed activities have been arranged to keep pupils busy, such as trips to Rhosili. Teachers have also been moved to different locations in the community. Although the school has closed, extra curriculum activities have carried on as normal, for example the football team are still playing other schools weekly, and the Schools Business trip to Ireland proceeded as planned. As you can see the fire has not caused any major disturbances, we are hoping to get school up and going again as soon as possible.”

05-04-06

'The Times' Report

Report on The Times (Monday, March 13^th, 2006)

“Secret Plan To Open A Thousand Casino’s”

A few months ago the Parliament decided to limit the amount of Casino’s in the UK to one Super Casino and 16 smaller ones. ‘The Times’ today have revealed that there has been evidence of a lot more being built, plans show that 1000’s more are to be built in the following decade.

“Government Report reveals that hundreds could be built every year” says ‘The Times.’ The newspaper tells us that according to the Deputy Prime Minster there are twice as many gamblers in the UK than once though. Surely the huge increase of Casino’s would feed their addiction, and create even more problems?

The plans have developed under John Prescott’s authorization, and it is said that there might be over 40 Super Casino’s being built along with the 100 smaller ones each year. It is possible that many will be placed on our high-streets.

‘The Use Classes Order, Casino’s And The Gambling Bill’ is described in ‘The Times’ as “dramatic and negative.” The bill itself mentions how it could prove to be very negative, possibly resulting to the decrease of cities, adding to present social problems such as ‘binge’ drinking, leading to an increase in antisocial behaviours. The report also says that 24 hour licensed Casino’s will lead to noise and litter.

There are approximately 70,000 gambling addicts in the UK, and having regional Casino’s along with other smaller Casino’s will surely increase the number.

The language used in the article was very advanced, using words such as “beleaguered.” It was also based purely on facts and quotes. Although there was no personal opinions showed, the article was based around the worry of social situations, how it will contribute to problems around binge drinking and anti social behaviour.

In my opinion the increase in Casino’s will have more negative outcomes than positives. I have worked in a Bingo hall in the past and was faced with gambling addicts daily, and it is not a pretty picture, people would put thousands down a slot machine in one day. It was sad to see and I believe that if there are more Casino’s available there will become an increase in sufferers. I do not agree with ‘The Times’ on the connection with binge drinking, in gambling places people more often than not stay in one place and gamble, they are not there on a mission to drink. I believe the positives will be an increase in job opportunities, and a rise in the wealth of businesses. Casino’s will mean more attraction to cities that might be lacking with business, the increase in Casino’s means that there will be more attention to smaller businesses, bringing in more people from outer cities.