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Councillor Paul Deach, founder the widely known Surrey Heath Residents Blog, has recently acquired a new video camera and video editing software. He says it’s to enable him to report on community activities for his blog in a more entertaining and professional way.

A while back I’d talked to Paul about his coverage of some Surrey Heath-based events was more extensive than the Camberley News, and that he might consider starting some form of local newspaper. I’ve written about a few times about this topic and how social media might replace the local newspaper’, including considering the ‘future of newspapers’. 

Paul dismissed the idea. However, with his new video equipment he’s able to let the people tell their own story, and is almost turning his blog into a mini-TV station. Here’s what I wrote at the end of a blog on thoughts on ‘social media and local press’, thinking about the possibility of new entrants to the local press and media, 

“Is it likely to happen? Yes. Will it happen soon? I can’t tell. But, what I can say is that this week I was at the opening of the new Tomlinscote Vocational Centre, and they have a studio with broadcast quality TV and radio equipment, and post production editing technology. So, it mightn’t be too long before some bright student decides to start a local news business combining local radio, TV, and social media outlets. I hope it happens, because that’ll be good for our communities.”

I guess it’s always easier to talk or write about something than to do it, or fund it with money and time.

A fellow councillor recently asked me, ‘Does the Mayor have a groupie?’. As Mayor I’m keen to support people and events in the borough. Not only do I enjoy doing it, but I hope it signals to individuals and organisations the borough’s support and recognition of them and their efforts. My ‘groupie’ as I attend these events is the ubiquitous Paul Deach, there to capture the event for the Surrey Heath Residents Blog. Hence the ‘groupie’ soubriquet. In the past week or so Paul has been with me,

• Presenting the Diana Award to the Surrey Heath Youth Council members
• Joining the old folk of Mytchett for a fish ‘n chip lunch
• Opening a new playground in Avenue Sucy in Camberley
• Watching the rugby match between Chobham and Camberley
• At the fun-packed World Darts Championship at Lakeside

All Paul’s video blogs can be seen on the Surrey Heath Residents Network YouTube page.

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