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MEET THE TEAM
Name: Simon Angear - News editor
 Age: 32
Patch: I grew up in Weston, so that’s the area which I am most involved in, but have not got a set patch. I guess I’m kind of a “floater”…
Favourite part of the job: All of it! I have been a journalist since 1999, and just love being involved in what’s happening around the town. I also get a lot of satisfaction when the paper is particularly good – or from seeing people reading the things I’ve written.
Most embarrassing on-the-job experience: Being roped into the Tough Ten run on Weston seafront with the promise that the whole office was taking part, only to find that just three of us raced. I turned in a very poor performance and was overtaken by all the child and OAP competitors…
Best advice ever given: Bit of an obvious one, but treating others as you would like to be treated is great advice. Oh, and never eat yellow snow.
Weston reporting team
 Name: CHARLOTTE RICHARDSON
Age: 25
Patch: Weston Town Council and Weston centre, Kewstoke, Milton where the best Indian take-away is, St Georges, the not so sleepy Worle and Worlebury hillside. I also cover Yatton, Congresbury, Claverham and Cleeve.
Favourite part of the job: Writing scandal or 'fluffy' stuff.
Most embarrassing on the job experience: Falling up the stairs in front of the very cute Casualty star James Redmond
Best advice ever given: Think before you speak - though I often forget.
 Name: MARK MISTRY
Age: 25
Patch: Sunny Weston, Weston General Hospital, John Penrose MP, Locking, Banwell, Churchill and Langford, Winscombe and Sandford, Blagdon.
Favourite part of the job: Being able to help people raise money for good causes and casting a beady eye over those in authority.
Most embarrassing on the job experience: On-going fight with a life-size cigarette. It's winning.
Best advice ever given: The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
Name: Samantha Pope
Age: 22
Job: Reporter
 Patch: Bournville, Coronation, Oldmixon and the Potteries estates, Churchill and Langford, Winscombe and Sandford, Wrington and Redhill, Blagdon, Weston’s Pensioners Forum and Bristol International Airport.
Favourite part of the job: Working with the lovely news team and also getting to do the job that I’ve wanted to do for years. Oh, and also perks such as tea and yummy cake when I visit contacts.
Most embarrassing on the job experience: At the time of writing this I haven’t been in the job long enough to be truly embarrassed but I’m sure there will be plenty of priceless moments ahead. Although, I did try to walk through a revolving door the wrong way whilst at Bristol Crown Court, much to the amusement of the watching security guard.
Best advice ever given: That I should never think people are better than me just because they are older, have a better job. etc. Now I never worry about talking to anyone.
Name: Max Wilkinson
Age: 24
Job:Reporter
 Patch: Uphill, Bleadon, Burnham, Weston Town Council
Favourite part of the job: Being able to write about Weston-super-Mare. It's great to give something back to the area that gave me so much when I was growing up.
Most embarrassing on the job experience: Not knowing how to use the camera on my first face-to-face interview.
Best advice ever given: Cutt the guff and get it right.
South reporting team
 Name: EMMA 'northerner' WRIGHT
Age: 24 (no longer the youngest on the news desk!)
Patch: The Somerset edition including Cheddar, Axbridge, Wedmore, Shipham, The Allertons, Compton Bishop, Draycott and Blackford. My all time favourite food is cheese so covering Cheddar is a bonus. There is always something exciting going on in the area, it is a good patch! I think I still have the largest patch geographically, which I love to quote when people ask me about the area I cover.
Favourite part of the job: Getting to chat to at least one new person each day. I work in an office, but the job is nothing like a regular 9-5.
Most embarrassing on the job experience: Squealing loudly at our photographer David, when I was on a flying trapeze when the circus came to Brent Knoll. Also: having a hideous video of me looking after a plastic baby featured on our website (click HERE to view). It's scarier than the Blair Witch Project! I don't know why I volunteer for these things!!
Best advice ever given: Never give up at the first hurdle.
North Somerset Times
 Name: VICKY ANGEAR
Age: 29
Patch: Portishead, Clevedon, Nailsea, Backwell, Flax Bourton, Barrow Gurney, Pill, Easton-in-Gordano, Tickenham, Kenn, Portbury, Clapton-in-Gordano, Walton-in-Gordano, Weston-in-Gordano and Wraxall.
Favourite part of the job: Every day is different and you get to chat to lots of interesting people.
Most embarrassing on the job experience: Accidentally slapped an MP on the back and told him I was 'a guy' instead of 'one of the guys' in an attempt to break down barriers - he's never looked at me the same since.
Best advice ever given: Don't take anyone for granted.
 Name: TRACEY FOWLER
Age: 45
Responsibility/Job: North Somerset Times reporter for Portishead
Favourite part of the job: Talking to so many people!
Most embarrassing on the job experience: Turning up at the Christmas lights switch on dressed for all weathers looking a bit like the abominable snowman and unexpectedly being asked if I would like to interview Carol Vorderman. A lesson learned – to always be prepared.
Best advice ever given: Always look on the bright side.
Business, people, features and entertainments
Name: Sarah Weston
Age: 29
 Patch: Business, people, features and entertainments
Favourite part of the job:I like writing stories about people who are undertaking charity work to help them raise as much dosh as possible. I also like letting the people of Weston know what entertaining events are about to happen
Most embarrassing on the job experience: After interviewing Sonia, who was appearing at The Playhouse panto, I helped myself to a drink and promptly spilt it all down myself in front of Sonia and her husband. They were very sweet about it though and her husband offered me a tissue. I quickly escaped to the ladies and found I also still had half my sandwich left in my teeth.
Best advice ever given:
Never skinny dip with snapping turtles
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It does not take a very big person to carry a grudge
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Every path has some puddles
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Most of the stuff people worry about never happens
GOT A STORY?
If you have a story that you would like us to report on then phone Newsdesk on 01934 422500 or e-mail: newsdesk@thewestonmercury.co.uk
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