| Author |
Message |
Adam
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 02 February, 2005 - 08:28 pm: | |
Dear all, I thought I would share with you my e-mail and letter sent to the features editor of the Independent regarding the crass article in todays paper.
Cheers
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To: features@independent.co.uk
Subject: More For Your Money: Forest Hill, SE21
Dear Editor,
I feel the need to write to you in regard to the above article. The journalism was sloppy and a complete slur on your paper which deserves better than this cheap, tacky and in factual journalism.
The headline is 'More for your money: Forest Hill, SE21'
We are already off to a good start, the postcode for the area is SE23. SE21 refers to West Dulwich, a good few miles down the South Circular.
The article continues 'no underground' perhaps a bit of investigation work in regard to the East London Line project (ELLP) would have highlighted that on 20th July 2004, The Mayor and TfL announced works on phase 1 works to the ELLP were to begin. Connecting Forest Hill on the East London line between Dalston Junction and West Croydon. This is a very positive step for many South London communities, which will bring unparallel investment in local services, shops and housing.
A further paragraph mentions transport once again, Trains from Forest Hill don't just travel in London Bridge as a terminus, they also frequent London Victoria, which provides another vital commuter line into the heart of bustling London.
Continuing into the article, a subheading is titled 'Can you shop till you drop?' the reply being
‘No. Forest Hill has a good local deli, and there's a Sainsbury at Bell Green east of Perry Hill. Otherwise, it's a schlep to busy Lewisham.’
Hello?! This really makes the article worthless and so factually incorrect. Forest Hill has had a Sainsbury’s in the heart of the town for many decades, it is in fact undergoing a major renovation project as we speak to increase its floor space by some 50%. We also have a Boots, Abbey, WHSmith, Tesco Express, Blockbuster Video and many time-honoured fantastic local amenities such as florists, jewellers, free houses and restaurants to name but a few.
I must forgive the journalist if he failed to spot our current Sainsbury’s or their giant building site and advertising hoardings advertising their new store.
Another major flaw in the report asks 'Green bits good or bad?' it mentions local amenities in other surrounding boroughs’, but fails to mention in any detail apart from referring to it by name, our award winning 16 acre Horniman Gardens, which include a bandstand, sunken and rose gardens, a nature trail, animal enclosure and some of the best views over London, which far surpass Greenwich and Hampstead. The Horniman Gardens are current holders of the prestigious Green Flag award.
Perhaps your journalist would actually like to visit our town and portray it in a factually correct light, one which the area and more importantly the local community deserve.
I look forward to hearing from you, I would like a full explanation why this crass article was even allowed to go to print.
For reference my research in this e-mail comes from
www.horniman.ac.uk
www.greenflagaward.org.uk
www.ellp.co.uk
And the pleasure of being a local resident for over two decades.
Best wishes, |
Rob
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 02 February, 2005 - 09:07 pm: | |
Adam - good for you. Great response. Let us know the outcome. |
Hils
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 02 February, 2005 - 10:50 pm: | |
Adam - it is good to see someone taking one of these journalists to task. |
See for miles...
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Wednesday, 02 February, 2005 - 11:00 pm: | |
I saw this today. I must say until I saw Forest Hill described as being cut in two by the South Circular (or words to that effect) I never even thought about it being a problem. I live off the London road and I never hear the traffic from my flat.
It was obviously a hastily commissioned piece, but no excuse for getting the postcode wrong. The sub-editors must have been asleep. |
Brian
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 February, 2005 - 08:38 am: | |
The incorrect article in the independent does not survive me.
If it is anything like their political articles full of lefts anti US bias.
My suggestion do not buy it |
Mike
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 February, 2005 - 09:04 am: | |
Adam - fantastic work! They should publish your letter instead - hopefully they will. |
Newman
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 February, 2005 - 10:00 am: | |
Adam - nice one. You beat me to it, in fact, as I was planning to write a letter to them today. I was criticised for being too harsh on another thread yesterday, but, if you are going to write a piece on a particular area, at least have the good grace to visit the place, which I'm betting the journalist in question didn't do - why else would they miss the Sainsbury's in the high street and get the postcode wrong? I used to like the Indie but it's slapdash editorial like that that has made me an ex-reader. |
Adam
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 February, 2005 - 10:38 am: | |
Well my closing comment in my letter which I posted this morning offers the editor of homes/money and the journo to come and visit the area and personally offered to show them round. Don't spose i'll get a reply to my letter, let alone the take-up of the invite. I'll keep you posted! |
BaggyDave
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 February, 2005 - 01:34 pm: | |
Adam
After all our banterings you failed to mention one celeb who lives in or off Forest Hill nor mention of all the famous bands who are from or played here. I see that the magazine Living South delivered to my posh estate features an article on the Comedian Jenny Eclair - OK she lives in Camberwell but this is just off Dulwich off Forest Hill |
Adam
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 February, 2005 - 02:36 pm: | |
Dave
Didnt get to read L/S, as the donkey who delivered it left it out on the steps and the rain got to it before I did. My news shopper arrived safe and dry I am pleased to advise! |
Adam
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 February, 2005 - 02:39 pm: | |
Dave
Didnt get to read L/S, as the donkey who delivered it left it out on the steps and the rain got to it before I did. My news shopper arrived safe and dry I am pleased to advise! |
BaggyDave
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Thursday, 03 February, 2005 - 05:23 pm: | |
Adam, I'll update you on house prices in leafy South London, prep schools and kiddies entertainers tomorrow. Or perhaps not. |
Adam
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Friday, 04 February, 2005 - 10:47 am: | |
LOL, where @ the Moore Park Tavern Dave? |
BaggyDave
Joined N/A
| | Posted on Monday, 07 February, 2005 - 12:27 pm: | |
Adam, I would do but I'd probably get red carded as this would be seen as a dating site rather than a chat site. And do I sense the slightest hint of sarcasm here - that's Newman's territory (given up on TJ) |
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