BBC News on tour

Hi folks,

Just thought I'd post a message to encourage anyone in or near Manchester who's vagely into news presentation or broadcast to drop by the BBC News on tour exhibition which is in Exchange Sq (Manchester) till Monday.

Its a great little set up where people can not only see how the news is made but have ago themselves (providing they don't mind an audience Theres some of the Newsreaders and production staff around too and they don't bite!

I was fortunate enough to meet the lovely Jane Hill (News 24) and our very own Nigel Jay (Northwest news) Also floating around (not literally!) was Darren Jordan (1 o'clock news)

A great day and for any people who are interested in the industry in any shape or form, a really good place to ask questions and even have a go at literally 'making the headlines'

Paul

Why does it have to be this weekend? A Bank Holiday when the trains are useless and when there is a massive Euro Pride and Gay Pride event. (I don't mind that happening) Shame it wasn't the week before or the week after, as all of Central Manchester will be packed!

BTW Exchange Sqaure, isn't that the back of M&S/Selfridges, where the big BBC screen is anyway? Or is it on the side of the Arndale/Printworks, as there always seems to be seating on that side.

Where does the bus go on to from Manchester?

Isn't that just the media trying to work people up into a state, when really there isn't anything to worry about!
Talking about that big BBC screen it'll show BBC NW now won't it as opposed to LDN as it did before, which would have been imbarrasing for Nigel Jay

Hi

Im afraid this will be the last venue for the time being, they've visited a few different places up and down the country so I guess they deserve a break

As for Europride/Bank holiday crowds, yup it has been busy but great too... Manchesters a fantastic place... the busier the better for me. And yes I am a driver so I queue as well

BTW- all this weekend the organisers have been keeping an eye on various people who have been presenting and one lucky 'so and so' will get to record a segment which will be played out on NW tonight so if there are any wannabe presenters reading this... well you still have time I suppose its kind of a current affairs version of pop-idol... Thankfully minus Simon Cowell.

Anyway I have been working on BBC GMR Regional radio in Manchester over this weekend and we broadcasted one of our programmes from the stand and I think its been a big success, certainly a big hit with all the visitors... Lets hope it's back next year

The fact that it is Europride this weekend would have been a big factor in choosing the date of the news event - the more people that are around the better!

Am I'm sure the fact that probably half the people involved wanted to be able to get into Europride was totally irrelevant...


Anyway, I can now reveal that I have finally met the god that is NickyS (don't worry, Nicky, I'm not about to start stalking you).

If anyone was there just after 4.30, I was the one on vision mixing who kept getting 'run', 'cue' and 'cut' muddled and trying to jump the gun before the director told me what to do (although fortunately I was better after the rehearsals).

I was walking back from Victoria train station when I noticed it so I popped in. It was very interesting, I thought they did a very good job of it. Had I not have been on my own I would've had a go at something! Still, I got my BBC News Pen & Pad, plus a picture postcard of all the News 24 presenters. There's one for the mantlepiece...!

It's good to see they've fixed the massive TV on the side of the Corn Exchange too, last time I went past the top-left corner was constantly white, and the rest of it kept breaking up.

Glad that those of you who made it to Manchester had a good time - the team enjoyed it.
And I know that they're hoping to be able to do it again next year - so maybe it'll be near to Katherine next time ... and it's slightly bigger than a bus!

Can I add a word of thanks and congratulations to the people who did this?
I thought it was all very professionally presented, the staff helping the volunteering public were great and Nicky was an excellent (and informative) compere.