Freelance journalist Andy Hirst now a special correspondent for Huddersfield Hub
News website puts the good of the Huddersfield community right at its heart
Ask anyone what they want from a local newspaper or media organisation and they’ll say lots of local news, sport and features.
Yes, I know, it’s hardly rocket science – not that journalists traditionally know a thing about science.
Now a former newsdesk colleague of mine, Martin Shaw, is fulfilling this need for local news by setting up a new website called Huddersfield Hub (https://huddersfieldhub.co.uk/).
Huddersfield Hub is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company so it has the best interests of the local community at its heart.
It’s early days so I’m one of a few journalists who has rallied round to voluntarily help Martin to get up and running and the early signs are exceptionally promising with thousands of visitors to the site since it began on February 7, 2021.
There is certainly a need for journalists with a positive outlook on life as so many news organisations seem to concentrate on looking for something to criticise. Anyone who watches the Government press conferences on Covid-19, for instance, must wince at some of the ridiculous questions journalists are posing while many members of the public are asking more sensible and useful ones.
Huddersfield Hub is split into 6 sections so far – news, business, sport, local democracy, what’s on and your community – but there is scope to add others such as food and drink once lockdown eases.
It’s great to be supporting such a great community initiative as a special correspondent and proud to have written the first lead story for Huddersfield Hub about how an international artist from Huddersfield, Ian Berry, is battling Covid-19 and how it’s left him with brain fog. The feature also shows the ways Ian’s used art to raise money for NHS charities.
Read all about it at https://huddersfieldhub.co.uk/exclusive-look-at-ian-berrys-denim-jacket-tribute-to-key-workers/
Another features I’ve written for Huddersfield Hub reveals how Covid-19 is sparking a mental health crisis https://huddersfieldhub.co.uk/platform-1-warns-of-massive-spike-in-mental-health-problems/
The arts is a category often under-reported in local media these days but no longer in Huddersfield – here’s a couple more I’ve written recently.
This one is a preview to Huddersfield Literature Festival https://huddersfieldhub.co.uk/escapism-in-lockdown-from-huddersfield-literature-festival/
And this one is about the world-famous Huddersfield Choral Society
Here’s what Martin, a former Huddersfield Examiner news editor, has to say about Huddersfield Hub: “It combines quality, added-value journalism with coverage of grassroots news, sports and events which are so important to thriving local communities but which often go unreported by the traditional media.
“Huddersfield Hub provides traditional-style local news and information, promoting the good things happening in and around Huddersfield and highlighting local charities, voluntary groups and the fundraising efforts of individuals.
“It will also promote the positive opportunities available in Huddersfield and provide an outlet to promote and support local shops and small businesses. Huddersfield Hub follows the core journalistic principles of independence, accuracy, fairness and impartiality.”
The aim now is for Huddersfield Hub to bring in revenue from sponsorship, advertising and subscription to keep on expanding this positive coverage of news and sport.
* Freelance journalist Andy Hirst is available to write for other media organisations. He’s also an expert copywriter, blogger and writes top quality press releases. For more information email andy@ah-pr.com or call 07985 654822.