Rutland: BBC recognised

Fairly major news today as one of the local RAF bases, RAF Cottesmore, faces closure.

What staggered me this morning is two-fold. First, the BBC news website has the word Rutland on its front page. Normally heralded under the banner of 'East Leicestershire', Rutland finally gets the recognition it deserves.

Secondly, the Rutland Times website, one which I usually enjoy reading, has nothing on the story. Amazing.

What a day!

Malcolm Tucker: My PR Hero

(from left: Glenn Cullen, Terri, Nicola Murray, Malcolm Tucker and Ollie Reeder in character from 'The Thick of It')

Quite possibly the most outspoken, rude and no-holds-barred man on UK television, apart form Gene Hunt (another fav. hero), Malcolm is a true PR hero for me.

I'm sure academics, fellow students and possibly my own mother would argue that that simply cannot be. Here we have a man that uses dirty tricks, fairly blue language and sandpaper insults to move MPs and civil servants into line.

We also have a man that is committed to doing his job. Albeit a fairly sleaze ridden one, he does seek to keep the government in power, whatever the cost.

This is what a PR should be. Dedicated to his agency/department, no matter how bad the times get. The interesting dilemma comes when a PR has to search morally for answers to questions which just 'aren't cricket'.

The most recent Thick of It, broadcast on 12/12/09, saw two of Malcolm's colleagues talking about a report into one of the men's conduct. The other man was the chair of the report. For the context of this you'll need to see the rest of the previous episode. Suffice to say, Malcolm needed revenge.

What does he do? He tips off a photographer that they would be meeting. The saying 'A picture tells a thousand words' comes to mind, and the papers make a meal out of the pair of them.

Ethical? Probably not. Was it justified? If a little over the top, possibly. Was the intention of good PR there? I would argue yes. To save his job was Malcolm's first priority, as well as getting even with his colleagues. However, he also knew that this report could be damaging to the government and his 'company's' reputation would be on the line.

Malcolm doesn't necessarily show he can cope under pressure, but he can handle any crises that come up.

Would I encourage people to be like him? Definitely not. What I would say is take a page out of his book. Don't be put off by crises and look after your company or clients.

Three top insults soon to go into 'The Rutland Correspondent recommends...'

'Oh f***, here comes the beige power ranger'

'What's the story, f***-a-nory'

'He's so dense that light bends around him'

Top Raddlemen on Twitter

Hiatus over, it's time to just mention some of the excellent Raddlemen I am following on Twitter.

It proves that Rutland isn't still in 1954.

@Mercury1695 For the near up to the minute happenings of my part of the world.

@rutlandweather is someone I have followed since my humble beginnings in social media. A 4-hourly service telling me the weather in my home county. This isn't, however, a 'bot account', or that posts automatically. The gentlemen behind it also runs a weather blog. Unbelievably, I can't find it currently, as the post it was on is now too old.

@Rutlandbubble , part of the FORC family, has been on Twitter a month less than I have. Following mainly his musings on life at the cutting edge of rural insurance, as well as his occasional commentary on home life, proves incredibly useful.

@M4ryLamont I discovered when our local radio joined the service.

@RutlandRadio , Though humble in it's followings, keeps me up to date with the station when I am away at University. Whether its a winning weekend or a now - playing mention, it's just great to get niche updates from my local radio.

Of course, this correspondent's old school chum @Odbe34 who talks politics and other Rutland stories needs a mention

Finally, for the definitive list of Raddlemen on Twitter, check out the Rutland Radio list here. A collection of 8 or so others on Twitter from the smallest county in England.

UPDATE 1: @konin , owner of the Toots Sweets of Oakham. A store of old fashioned sweets in Oakham, is the latest addition to this growing list

UPDATE 2: @M4ryLamont has come up with the following:

@lisabatty

@nicomorgan

@BigPinkHeart

@bubith

@TrevorLamont

@DiscoverRutland

@Mysitcomlife

@lamontplumbing

Thanks for the help!

40th Post; What's been happening

As Freshers Week comes to an end, final year of university begins and I have dropped my washing off at the launderette for the first time this year, I thought I should pen some thoughts on what's been happening.

Freshers week was very steady. A couple of nights out with people I live with currently and shared a halls with two years ago proved to be very entertaining. In usual Media Centre style, the PR 1st years had an introductory day with lectures and a music quiz at the end (which they valiantly lost)

A distinct lack of accessible internet for the week had meant that Ed H-J and I needed to fulfill the time with some quality Playstation 3 entertainment. Having bought Need for Speed Shift and Guitar Hero 5, we haven't looked back.

Here are a couple of pictures of the room; a definite mix of Life on Mars circa Sam-Tyler bedroom furnishings with some modern comforts.

A catch up drink and meal with Simply Jack follows tonight, with 3rd year beginning tomorrow.

I would not recommend buying Europe's greatest hits. Even if it is in the HMV 2 for £10. It is a definite musical journey of 3 tracks, followed by 24 pieces of filler music.

A response to Simply Jack....

My colleague Simply Jack and I talked yesterday over my lack of blogging. In fact, I was grateful for his call.

A busy time at work, coupled with a busy time at home has meant I have had to spend time away from the blog. I told Jack this, to have the reply: 'But Ollie, you haven't posted in over a month. Come on!'

This posed a very serious question: Did I have anything to blog about?. The answer: probably not. I could talk to you about the recent work I have done with two funeral service trade magazines. This involved a couple of press releases highlighting the new Hearse Covers the company I work for now sell. This could be conceived as interesting, in an odd kind of way, albeit slightly tedious.

I could also talk to you about the pigs at home. We've had another lot slaughtered, and the sausages are fantastic. We've just started to think about what breed we'll be going for for the Uppingham Fat Stock show. More, of course, to follow.

For a political/PR/Rutland blog, it doesn't seem particularly relevant. Then again, there are aspects of all 3 in my points of interest. Hearse Covers: okay, not overtly political, but a definite PR challenge, and based around Rutland. Pigs: Definitely political (don't get me started on DEFRA), major PR issues for farming and most definitely bred in Rutland.

Talk to me: If you'd like to know more, I will be happy to post more. I should hope to blog a little more at University, particularly as I won't be over at home, enjoying peace & quiet in Redoak's grounds.

Just to please the old RSS Feeds and Blogger feeds, I'll even include a picture of the awesome Hearse Covers!!

Rockingham Track Day

Thanks to the good people at MTP, I managed to get along to the Ferrari Track day at Rockingham Raceway. Here's a selection of photos from the day. I'll hopefully be posting some videos on here soon; I'm making them on the subject of car detailing. Enjoy!

(P.S I promise to resume normal service soon, it's been a busy time at work/home)

The eyes to the right: seeing sense. The Noes to the left: keep on pointing

BBC Have your Say has the classic mixed bunch of anarchists, socialiasts, commies and anything else one can think of as being left-field idiots.

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=2&forumID=6629&edition=1&ttl=20090623202415&#paginator

Let's look at this classic from Sam, London

Oh look, a New Labour stool pigeon in Blue colours who wants MP's to have a massive pay rise gets elected to be the speaker.

They have learnt nothing, they are all despicable and I wouldn't spit on any of them if they were on fire.

What fantastic insight into the mind of a commie, who likely doesn't vote at an election. For those who enjoy this sort of non-sensical argument, try Liberty_Rose from Essex (as he calls, not Europe).

No! I'm disgusted. MPs have stuck two fingers up at the public and announced business as usual and that the reforms will be merely cosmetic. Neither of the final two candidates had a sufficiently clean record to become Speaker. Only Ann Widdicombe did - and that's why they refused to elect her. They chose the one who wants MPs to have a £40,000 pay rise.

Time for independents to stand!

What people are forgetting is that the Speaker can only keep order in the house, not instruct its proceedings. It can influence them, thought not wholly say right or wrong to them. That would be an unfair amount of power.

My apologies for perhaps not understanding, but 'Time for the independents to stand!'? They already do, Liberty_Rose. Do you not watch election broadcasts?!

And let's be fair, at least an old Thatcherite got in. Even if he's changed his hue slightly, he is still a registered Conservative.

As an aside, my heart goes out to those killed in the WMATA Red Line crash on the DC/Maryland border early yesterday.

Twittering, Live from the #admeet

Here's my tweets from Alan Duncan's expenses public meeting. I'll try and find newspaper comment alongside this, but use this as a gist of the meeting. #tcot is posting it to Topconservativesontwitter.org, #uktcot is the equivalent for the UK, and #rutland means it is more searchable for Rutland News

The bottom of the post is the beginning of the Tweet list. Sadly, the formatting from Twitter doesn't allow otherwise.

The end of te meeting, had to thank the chair. Chec the blog later for further comment and analysis. Thanks all #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 23 hours ago from txt

Vicar is rounding up now. He's hada really tough crowd. #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 23 hours ago from txt

Answer the question are cheers from the crowd. Ill try get a photo of this silly hat this socialist is wearing #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 23 hours ago from txt

More socialist comment. He called rutland a state of anarchy, having lived here 27 years. What a douche #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 23 hours ago from txt

And so the socialists stand up. A cartoonist im next to said shes f***ing mad! #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 23 hours ago from txt

Rutland is the biggest open prison in the uk! When is there a byelection? #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 23 hours ago from txt

'why pay back if you haven't done anything wrong?' #tcot #uktcot #rutland great one from the chair, even if it isn't impartialabout 24 hours ago from txt

@konin is asking a question now.... #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 24 hours ago from txt

#tcot #uktcot #rutland interesting, he's been asked what should he be paidabout 24 hours ago from txt

#tcot #uktcot #rutland ad answering questions about unemployed n. Hang on, isn't this about expenses?!about 24 hours ago from txt

#tcot #uktcot #rutland willetts (oo) mum here I think, and saying she has 3 jobs speech etc, and now talking about absenteeismabout 24 hours ago from txt

Dangerous assumptions in the crowd: they're playing into his game #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 24 hours ago from txt

True: he has never flipped homes #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 24 hours ago from txt

Now blaming hignfy edititng team for 'disaster' edition last time he was on #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 24 hours ago from txt

Round of applause for his speech. Overall, yes, he deserved it, just..... #tcot #uktcot #rutlandabout 24 hours ago from txt

Come on, we're over time now. Lol @ his comment 'ive been drawing off savings' major draws of breath at that #tcot #uktcot #rutland1 day ago from txt

'theres no market (wage) rate for mps' #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:17 AM Jun 13th from txt

Valid point from ad: he published expenses on the web before other mps. #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:16 AM Jun 13th from txt

Nick clegg charging 1400 for food? Can some tweeple check that out? #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:13 AM Jun 13th from txt

And now a policeman is in the room... #tcot #uktcot #rutland. Intimidation or what2:13 AM Jun 13th from txt

History behind 2nd homes. Come on, get to the gritty bits! #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:12 AM Jun 13th from txt

Justifying travel expenses. The crowd is now muted #admeet #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:10 AM Jun 13th from txt

Now explaining the green book.... #admeet #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:08 AM Jun 13th from txt

He's about to have 10 mins to himself. Oh god, he's on to democracy #admeet #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:06 AM Jun 13th from txt

Another joke, another heckler e #admeet #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:05 AM Jun 13th from txt

Art of public meets lost?! No shouting?! He's in for a treat...2:04 AM Jun 13th from txt

Nice intro for the mp, vicar cracks a joke #admeet #tcot #uktcot #rutland2:03 AM Jun 13th from txt

Wow, the room is filling up! Worryingly think im the youngest here #admeet #tcot #uktcot #rutland1:58 AM Jun 13th from txt

Just at the alan duncan public meeting and its looking fairly quiet #tcot #uktcot #rutland