Farming Life - Wednesday (Report Delayed)

[willie reynolds]

The updating of this page has been delayed to enable the news to be listed and published first in Farming Life (Wednesday). The news will be placed in future on a Thursday and this will continue, we must also consider the needs of all other press companies to have news exclusive as often as possible. When Irelands Saturday Night ceased publication I worked hard getting an alternative source of publicity, previously news and results had been carried in the News Letter on both Friday & Saturday this starting several years ago. Because of space restrictions they were limited to the amount of publicity they could give. At that time Farming Life was an alternative source, but was not pursued. Changes at the New Letter gave me the opportunity to raise the subject again and I secured space in the Farming Life on a Wednesday. The intention was to use this space to replace what we were getting with ISN. All club and organization results weekly for Northern Ireland. It had only started a couple of weeks when another freelance scribe high-jacked the space, at that time covering Ulster Federation and Emerald Classic One Loft Race, he being PO for both. I objected at that time about space not divided on an equal basis.

Things have moved on and I have 2 Pages to feature the NIPA Clubs, NIPA Open & Sect Results, East Down Combine (24 clubs), Mid Antrim Comb (9 clubs) and later Irish Nat FC Result & Race Report. It has not proved possible to run the above which this week included a separate report on the NIPA Sect D. This is a big dilemma having to make a decision on what news and results to use. In the meantime the same space is available, 2 Pages, to feature the Ulster Federation (12 clubs) for the PO and for which I have no objection, and the NIPA Sect C where he is a self appointed scribe. This news should be getting included in the NIPA Report by the official PO.

Maybe it’s me who is being petty, if the 4 Pages were better shared out we would get everything published. The Editor of the paper determines what to use and what to do, just a couple of weeks back the BHW gave a page and a half to NIPA Sect C, can u imagine them giving equal share to each NIPA Sect which would take at least 12 Pages weekly, not lightly. I am not looking for anything special, just fair and equal coverage for all. I am certain the Editior’s must be getting fed up with the on-going hazzle, at it will be putting at risk space available in the future.

Having worked on publicity for almost 40 years I know this game, I can see the big changes in local publicity (some weeks in, some weeks out), we don’t need a position when we are out completely, and some already adopt a no Pigeon Column policy. And what about all the hazzle?? It has only started recently, and it’s something the fancy in general need to start thinking about. Willie Reynolds HOMER.