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09/02/2010, 1:11 PM aza Joined on 20/05/2008 WsM Posts 84 Pool Nice to see Pool getting some coverage in the Mercury this week, also I think the county reports for Somersets first game of the season are going in. It has taken a long time but I do hope they will continue to leave space in the paper for pool as the Weston Pool League is one of the 3 largest in the country. Somerset believe it or not is a hotbed for pool talent. Thanks very much "Weston Mercury" Aaron Stone    Report

09/02/2010, 3:25 PM Simon Angear Joined on 08/05/2008 Mercury newsroom Posts 200 Re: Pool As I know you're aware, Aza, I have a keen interest in pool myself and am always happy to try to ensure good coverage of local players' achievements in the Mercury. Regrettably, the respective deadlines of the Mercury's print edition and Weston Pool League's results submission mean it's impossible for us to carry up-to-date results and league tables in the paper. However, we're always keen to hear of local players' successes, and would be happy to provide coverage when information is forthcoming. Congratulations to you, too - that's quite an elite company you'll be part of at Blackpool. I wish you - and Daryl, Dougal, Russell and Fordy - the best of luck. Mercury News Editor    Report

10/02/2010, 5:21 AM Sean Miller Joined on 02/10/2008 Weston-super-Mare Posts 681 Re: Pool Is there anything actually stopping the Mercury having pool results etc. on the website? Surely one of the benefits of the internet is that you can delegate such things to the folks on the ground who are involved?  Give the pool league the ability to update their own scores and news, and the "shove ha'penny league", the "darts league" and the skittlers.  Along with Sunday League football, Athletics Clubs, Cricket Clubs and so on...   Put in regular "updates" in the print edition, with links to the "live update" areas of the website.  Should the website not create content for the paper, rather than the other way around??? The Mid Somerset Series have a section on their letters page called something like "on the web..." where they print selected posts from their online forums -- when I moved to Weston I was disappointed that the Mercury did not have the same.   I noticed that in last week's paper there was something a little like that, is this a sign that (3-5 years after Mid Somerset, but it is clear that the Mercury moves VERY slowly) Weston is catching up? Sean    Report

10/02/2010, 9:03 AM Simon Angear Joined on 08/05/2008 Mercury newsroom Posts 200 Re: Pool  Sean Miller wrote: Is there anything actually stopping the Mercury having pool results etc. on the website? Surely one of the benefits of the internet is that you can delegate such things to the folks on the ground who are involved?  Give the pool league the ability to update their own scores and news, and the "shove ha'penny league", the "darts league" and the skittlers.  Along with Sunday League football, Athletics Clubs, Cricket Clubs and so on...   It's a good idea, and certainly one investigating. However, the question is whether many of these leagues, teams and groups would use this when they alread have their own sites (many of which have links in the Mercury's sport section). In the case of Weston Pool League, which is where this topic began, I know the league already has a very accomplished - and highly patronised - website of its own. If you're interested, you can see it here: http://www.westonpoolleague.org.uk/  Good though your idea is, there's little reason for the league and its members to want to switch to a Mercury facility when they already have a successul site of their own. Mercury News Editor    Report

10/02/2010, 9:06 AM Simon Angear Joined on 08/05/2008 Mercury newsroom Posts 200 Re: Pool  Sean Miller wrote: The Mid Somerset Series have a section on their letters page called something like "on the web..." where they print selected posts from their online forums -- when I moved to Weston I was disappointed that the Mercury did not have the same.   I noticed that in last week's paper there was something a little like that, is this a sign that (3-5 years after Mid Somerset, but it is clear that the Mercury moves VERY slowly) Weston is catching up? Another interesting point, Sean. This is indeed something we have done on occasion, but it has had limited success in directing other readers towards the forum. It's something we continue to do on occasion, and if there's a particular topic which draws plentiful and relevant comments we would certainly be happy to print a taste alongside relevant stories. However, it's not something we do as a matter of routine at present. Perhaps one for us to consider in the future, as the forum continues to grow. Mercury News Editor    Report

10/02/2010, 11:58 AM aza Joined on 20/05/2008 WsM Posts 84 Re: Pool Hi Sean, for me that is one thing that infuriates me. I know many people that play Skittles/Darts and "The Weston Pool League" is without doubt the best organised/participated sport in the town. Over 1000 players EVERY Tuesday embark on pubs/clubs to play for various teams. The Towns "Interleague Team" Weston A regularly wins the Somerset Interleague, by doing so they qualify for Yarmouth. 2 years ago they got to the Final at Yarmouth beating Leicester along the way which contained a certain Mark Selby. There was NO coverage of this at all, I was flabbergasted. This town has something within it to be really proud of, We have i'd say 6 of the WORLDS top 100 players playing on a Tuesday night and representing Weston A and Somerset. I would love to see the failings of Weston Football Club on the inside back cover and have something positive on the back pages for once. Thank you Simon, I do completely understand the point of the local league tables not being printed because of deadlines etc, but would having tables that were just 1 week out of date be that bad?    Report

10/02/2010, 12:28 PM Simon Angear Joined on 08/05/2008 Mercury newsroom Posts 200 Re: Pool Aza, we do our best, but we're not psychic. If we're not told about people's achievements, it's difficult to report them. I've previously suggested that the pool league appoint a press liaison, or that the secretary's role is expanded to include this responsibility. I know photographs are taken at the league's presentation night, and I've previously suggested these be sent in to the Mercury for publication, but they have not been. If the league was able and willing to identify someone to take on this role, and keep us up-to-date with news and achievements, we would happily offer editorial space to them. If it helps, I am happy to be the Mercury's point of contact and take responsibility for ensuring articles are prepared and positioned. Personally, I feel there is very little value in printing tables that are a week behind because the league's website is very well run and the current tables are readily available to anyone with a computer. However, if the league does appoint a press representative (perhaps you could volunteer to take on this role, or raise the possibility at the next AGM?) and would like to provide us with formatted final tables at the end of the season, then we'd certainly be happy to print them. And for the record, since I've been at the Mercury I've written about the pool league's registration nights, presentation nights, charity events (quizzes and marathons), individual achievements of some players and even sad stories like the tragedy which befell Angie Bowden, with tributes from other people in the pool community. I don't think it's right to say the league gets no coverage, but would be happy to work with you - or whoever else - to help ensure it gets more in future. Mercury News Editor    Report

10/02/2010, 4:35 PM aza Joined on 20/05/2008 WsM Posts 84 Re: Pool That seems a resonable request to have a liaison member, I do remember those articles Simon, I just guess my eyes are blinkered by the amount of times I see the Cribbage tables or Tiddlywinks Area finals in the paper. I just feel with more coverage the league can get even bigger and would help sustain the facilites we have at the moment in terms of the pool clubs we have, we don't want any of them going to way Rileys went! It is looking up as the County Reports from Sunday I believe are with somebody at the Mercury, if this is your doing thanks very much.    Report

The Weston Merc...GeneralSportRe: Pool

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