Paul (pictured right), 37, will lead the development of business content in print, online and mobile across the Anglia region and manage the county business editors and writers.

Archant Anglia managing director Johnny Hustler said: “Paul’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for local business.

“By levering the complete spectrum of Archant’s assets within the Anglia region, Paul will perform a crucial role informing and representing local business alongside the developing network of enterprise partnerships.”

Paul was the Eastern Daily Press’ business editor from 2008 to 2010 and more recently worked as Archant Norfolk’s editorial development manager.

“Archant’s titles – particularly the Eastern Daily Press and East Anglian Daily Times – have a proud tradition of working with the business communities in this region,” he said.

“We have a great opportunity to develop our business coverage for our readers, whether they want to read what we do online, in print or by mobile.

“I look forward to working closely with our business writers across the region.”

Paul was named ActionCoach East Anglian business writer of the year in 2009, and won the Towers Watson regional journalism award 2010.

He was Archant’s editorial person of the year in 2008.

A launch party has been held to mark the launch of Archant Suffolk’s new east Suffolk office.

The event took place on Monday July 25, at The Framlingham Technology Centre, in Station Road, where a four-strong reporting team for the East Anglian Daily Times and sister papers is based.

The event (pictured right) was attended by Johnny Hustler, managing director of Archant Anglia, which publishes the EADT, and featured a presentation from editor Terry Hunt, who said that the opening of the new office was an important part of the newspaper’s commitment to the community which it serves.

“It is important that the team covering rural east Suffolk and the market towns in that area is based as close as possible to those communities,” said Mr Hunt.

The office can be contacted on 01728 726535 or by email at jonathan.barnes@eadt.co.uk

Pictured above, Nigel Pickover meets David Cameron at the Evening Star office in Ipswich.

The battling stance of Archant Suffolk’s Evening Star over the importance of the regional press was backed by Prime Minister David Cameron during this week’s Parliamentary debate on phone hacking.

Mr Cameron was asked in Parliament about the letter sent by Star editor Nigel Pickover by Suffolk Coastal MP Dr Therese Coffey.

She asked him about the importance of the regional press in bringing local news to people and also in campaigning on important issues for local communities.

Mr Cameron agreed that the regional press had an important role in the fabric of the country and repeated that it had not come under the microscope of the phone hacking inquiry.

Dr Coffey asked the Prime Minister: “Nigel Pickover, a constituent of mine, is editor of the Evening Star and recently wrote to the Prime Minister, and was grateful for his response.

“Is it not fair to say that local newspapers have not so far been implicated, that we should welcome their campaigns and local journalism, and that we should support the local press wherever they are?”

Mr Cameron replied: “They play a vital role in the health of our local democracy, our constituencies and what I call the big society.

“Clearly, the inquiry has to go wherever the evidence leads and to all newspapers, but I think that regional and local newspapers play an important role in our country.”

Mr Pickover had written to Mr Cameron when the phone hacking controversy blew up earlier this month and the prime minister said “the press” needed to look at the way it operates.

The Star editor – a former president of Britain’s Society of Editors – wrote to the Prime Minister to point out that the kind of practices now being uncovered are not typical of journalism.

And he also pointed out that the scandal had come to light because of the dogged work done by other national newspaper journalists, especially those working for The Guardian.

Mr Pickover said: “I am sure that most of our readers, advertisers, and those who are in contact with us, for whatever, reason understand that a newspaper like The Evening Star with its roots deep in the community would never stoop to these kind of tactics.

“But it is important to make that clear when some commentators, and even some comments of the Prime Ministe, seemed to lumping all ‘the press’ together.”

Mr Cameron’s spokesman had contacted the Star saying: “He understands that everyone, including members of the press such as yourselves, will be revolted by what they have heard.

“The Prime Minister has made clear he is committed to establishing rigorous public inquiries to make sure this never happens in our country again.

“I would also like to reassure you that the Prime Minister absolutely recognises the important and vital role local newspapers play in their community and is fully supportive of the excellent work they do, campaigning for local people, strengthening our democracy and holding the powerful to account.”

Terry Hunt and Nigel Pickover (pictured right) took over as editors of the East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star respectively on the same day back in 1996.

They willbe joined by Suffolk-born EastEnders actress June Brown– Dot Brannan (Cotton) to her fans – and Ipswich Town chief executive Simon Clegg in receiving the honorary doctorates at graduation ceremonies later this year.

Terry is a Suffolk lad born and bred who was an 11-plus pupil at Framlingham College and studied at Reading University before joining the EADT in 1979.

After working at Hadleigh, Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe, and covering sport for the old Suffolk Mercury, Terry joined the newsdesk in Ipswich and rose through the ranks to become news editor and then editor of the Star before switching to the EADT.

Over recent years the scope of the EADT has expanded, with new supplements and sections being added to persuade readers that it is the only morning newspaper they need to buy.

The EADT’s ink is coursing through his veins – he’s often said that if he wasn’t editing the paper he’d still be its keenest reader!

He’s looking forward to the ceremony, saying: “The opening of a university in my home county of Suffolk was the realisation of an ambition for me, so to be honoured by that self-same university in this way is a tremendous honour.”

Nigel is a Johnny-come-lately to Suffolk, but says that after nearly 18 years in his adopted county he’s on his way to being accepted as “local.”

Under his stewardship the Star has become one of the most successful titles in the regional press – winning a string of national titles and a unique hat-trick of Newspaper of the Year gongs on the UK stage.

He is a forthright campaigner on issues that affect local people – and battled hard for the establishment of the university that is now honouring him.

Under him The Star uncovered the damning stories which led to a public inquiry and major changes in to the failing East Anglian Ambulance Service.

Recently, the title has also fought and won a battle to save elective heart surgery in Ipswich and launched an all-out fight which resulted in survival of the Blue Cross animal home near Felixstowe.

It has also led community-based campaigns like building a new football pavilion in memory of murdered Trimley teenager Vicky Hall and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for projects through its annual appeals.

Nigel said: “I might not have lost the northern twang to my voice, but I feel as if Suffolk is really home now and this honour from the fantastic new university in my adopted county is wonderful recognition for what we have achieved at the Star over the last 15 years.”

An avid user of Twitter, he said he is particularly proud that The Star has been an online pioneer – and that much of his current thinking goes into developing the Star into a brand delivered by new and exciting means.

This new website, which belongs to the Tickles family of products, gives consumers a wide range of discount offers from top UK retailers, restaurants, catalogues and tourist attractions such as House of Fraser, John Lewis, LoveFilm, HMV, BodyShop, Pizza Express to name a few.

The site can be found at www.myvouchers24.co.uk  and is linked to from all Archant newspaper sites, so why not visit to see if you can make a saving today.

Daisy Kingham has been given a weekly column in the Ipswich paper to tell readers about the great money-saving offers on offer at www.tickles.co.uk

Daisy Kingham

It’s Daisy’s mission to spread the Tickles word to as many people as possible with the mantra – I am here to save YOU money!

Every week she will feature businesses which have benefited from taking part in a Tickles deal and readers who have taken advantage of a bargain offer and want to relate their experiences.

Here is Daisy’s first column

DO YOU want to be part of the most trendy and cost-crunching club in town?

Tickles is taking off in Suffolk … and has just reached the milestone of 5,000 subscribers!

Many Evening Star readers already know how Tickles can be a great help when looking for ways to save money.

Now it’s my personal mission to spread the Tickles word to as many people as possible – I am here to save YOU money!

Tickles is the latest, greatest, local group-buying website. We offer regular deals to our subscribers, with huge savings on a great range of different products and services.

It’s completely free to subscribe, and we send you an e-mail every time a new deal is launched, so you can keep track of money-saving deals without having to log on to the website.

One of our brilliant success stories from last week was a fabulous traditional high tea for two people at Ladies That Lunch in Ipswich.

Sixty-six Ticklers purchased their vouchers, ready to treat their relatives and friends to a sophisticated lunch, at half the price. Usually priced at £20, the deal was offered exclusively on the Tickles Ipswich website for just £10!

So far Tickles has saved the people of Ipswich an incredible £22,403, and our 5,000 subscribers will quickly become 6,000! We just keep on growing!

A 9am embargo meant a super-fast page-production operation and Thorpe-printed papers were back in Ipswich before lunch. The editions contained four-pages of news and reaction, including a full-page poster of the Tractor Boys’ 2011/12 campaign.

Evening Star editor, Nigel Pickover, said he was delighted with the result, which has helped momentum in a “very strong six months” for Evening Star print sales.

The special editions operation was organised by Clive Want, at Archant Print, together with Sue Gipps and Chris Ozanne in Ipswich. Evening Star deputy editor Mike Pennock and design editor, Jon Elsey, produced the pages.

The Evening Star has published a controversial Canaries Countdown Clock, counting down the days to relegation for their fierce Old Farm football rivals – resurrecting an idea first run by the Norfolk team ten years ago.

The “Off the Boil City” clock has produced an astonishing reaction from fans of both teams, who for once seem to agree with each other.

Evening Star editor, Nigel Pickover, said: “When Ipswich Town were last promoted, sadly over a decade ago now, our sister website, the Pink ‘Un launched a countdown to the relegation of the Tractor Boys. We suffered that in good part then – and the ITFC players, who helped their team finish fifth, blew the Pink ‘Un clock to smithereens.

“Memories of that Norwich-based countdown clock may dim, but we had it at the back of our minds and have brought it back, online only, for this season.

“The online reaction is as predictable as it is exciting – with many comments flowing in both Norwich and Ipswich centres. Online debate and reaction is what websites are all about – I guess the reaction in Norfolk is because this is the first time anyone has dared to prick the Canary bubble. Norwich fans should hope that as in the Pink ‘Un case, our clock backfires, hugely, on us.”

“But, of course, that would give us more reaction, comment – an audience. If we end up with “Blue” faces our consolation may well be Ipswich joining Norwich in the Premier League – now wouldn’t that be something.”

Archant Norfolk sports journalist, David Cuffley, who first covered Norwich City 25 years ago, wrote: “It must be a really difficult time to be an Ipswich Town fan – so we can afford to show a little understanding to our downtrodden football neighbours.

“Norwich City’s rapid elevation to a place among the elite of the English game must have been a bitter pill to swallow south of the border, not least when it was accompanied by the two biggest derby drubbings Town have ever suffered at the hands of the Canaries.

Referring to the Countdown Clock, David said: “If only they had talked to us first. We tried it once – and it doesn’t work. We set the Pink ’Un “Down Town Clock” – nothing to do with Petula Clark – ticking in the 2000-01 season after George Burley had taken Ipswich into the top flight. Their response was to finish fifth and qualify for Europe.”

There has been a large backlash from both Norwich and Ipswich fans on both websites, in the large part shunning the idea of the clock.

According to Kingfisher: “This is exactly the problem with us as a football club – we spend all of our time worrying about Norwich. Look what they have achieved and how they have got to where they are with enthusiasm and team spirit.”

And Bluenproud, a “lifelong Blues fan and season ticket-holder”, admits: “Norwich taught us a lesson twice last season and were a better team all over the park! Take a look at our own team, under performing, lacking heart. Portman Road is like a morgue nowadays.”

Related links:

• Green ‘Un
• Pink ‘Un

Pictured above is Wendy Turner at Machu Picchu in Peru.

Wendy first went to Peru two years ago as a volunteer to run a month-long photography project to help develop the creative education of poor young people from Cusco.

“It was an opportunity for the children to learn a new skill and then to sell some of the work that they produced,” she said.

The mum-of-two has been a professional photographer since 1986 and has worked with the Ipswich Evening Star and the East Anglian Daily Times for the past five years.

The Peru adventure was such a success that Wendy went on to win Vodafone’s World of Difference scheme and an eight-week placement with Amantani UK.

“My original brief was to organise a London-based photography exhibition called ‘Andean Windows’ to raise funds for Amantani UK, which helps impoverished children in Peru,” said Wendy.

“My first task was to find a venue in London; this was like looking for a needle in a haystack, especially when I had a non-existent budget. After three intense weeks of research I was offered an amazing venue in central London, next to the Mayor’s office with views overlooking the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.

“To raise further awareness of the charity I decided to organize a high profile world wide photographic competition, to be launched this summer. To make the competition credible I needed to have high calibre judges, I was amazed and delighted when Travel photographer Timothy Allen (BBC’s Human Planet), David Clarke, Director of Photography at the Tate Modern, and published travel photographers Steve Davey, John Beatty and David Noton all agreed to help.

“I am now finalising details for the prizes, amongst which could be a trip to Peru, on assignment with Timothy Allen, spending time with him photographing an indigenous festival in the Andes, or a trip to Peru walking an exclusive trail to Machu Picchu and a place on the ’Love Your Camera’ course with one of the country’s top contemporary training companies, Aspire CPT.

“This has been a huge learning curve for me. I’ve gained so many new things, from learning about social media, blogging, tweeting, to researching web traffic statistics on photography magazine web sites. I’ve met famous people and learned how generous people can be when you tell them about the project in Peru,” said Wendy.

The work has struck such a chord with Wendy that now she has given up her job with Archant Suffolk to carry on working with Amantani until the project ends next March.

In October she will spend three weeks with the children, learning more about their lives and how important Amantani UK is to them and their futures.

“I will also be running photography workshops with them,” said Wendy, “and some of the photographs I take will be included in the exhibition. I’d also like to thank Archant and Andy Abbot, head of photos at Archant Suffolk, for generously letting me take eight weeks off work to take part in this very worthwhile scheme.”

For more information about the competition email Wendy Turner on wendy@amantani.org.uk or follow her on twitter @meet_my_world and facebook Meet My World

Related Links:

worldofdifference.vodafone.co.uk/blogs/wendy-turner/

www.amantani.org.uk

Over the years, The Evening Star has successfully fought to save services, charities and raise thousands of pounds for various worthy causes.

During the last 12 months, Star readers have played a pivotal role in ensuring the life-saving work of a drugs rehabilitation charity can carry on. The Save Iceni, Save Lives campaign saw thousands of pounds secured to ensure the survival of the drugs rehabilitation charity after vital funding was slashed.

And the work to help those battling drug addictions goes on, as the Star champions the work of another charity, Talitha Koum, in their quest to build a rural sanctuary for women.

Other recent campaigns include: Somebody’s Daughter – raising money in the wake of the murders of five sex workers in Ipswich in 2006; Have a Heart – a fight to bring lifesaving emergency heart facilities to Ipswich Hospital; Let them play – raising money to build playground for the hospital; Save the Blue Cross – a drive to save a much-loved animal adoption charity in Felixstowe; The Press Ball – raising money for dozens of charities over the last 14 years

Also, thanks to the relentless investigations by Evening Star journalists bringing the fate of lollipop ladies and library services under Suffolk County Council’s policy of divestment to the public’s attention, dozens of petitions and demonstrations have forced the authority to find another solution.

Josh Warwick, head of news, said: “The Evening Star has, for the last 125 years, fought passionately for our readers on a range of issues. Our mandate has always been to hold those in power to account while at the same time reporting on the stories which really matter to the county’s communities.”

Prime Minister David Cameron echoed the sentiment, saying: “Local newspapers are hugely important to our country – for two good reasons. First, they strengthen our democracy, holding the powerful to account. Second, local papers are hugely important in helping to build a bigger, stronger society.

“There is a massive gap between the state on the one hand, and the individual on the other, and local papers help fill the space in between, galvanizing readers into action.

“By shining a spotlight on this good work, local papers persuade others to do more – and I want to see more of it.”

www.eveningstar.co.uk