From Milton Keynes With Love

Today I've been in the field.

I travelled to Milton Keynes in order to cover a strike by the Milton Keynes Citizen's NUJ chapel.

Despite the best efforts of Britain's rail system, I managed to get to Auckland Park in Bletchley by 8:30am.

Bounding across the road, I was greeted by a picket line of twelve people, which grew to eighteen by the time I left at eleven.

The line included General Secretary Jeremy Dear and National Newspapers Organiser Barry Fitzpatrick.

Later on, NUJ President Michelle Stanistreet arrived.

After introductions, I was able to talk to several of the chapel about the strike while passing cars and post lorries hooted in support.

I was told about the failure to replace staff who left the paper, as well as the 3% pay offer, which is unsatisfactory for the staff.

We also discussed journalism openings and were filmed by a BBC Look East crew.

I then took some photos before being given a lift to the Xscape, a bizarre carbuncle of leisure.

There, I filed my story from a well-hidden Internet cafe and returned by train to the NUJ offices, to attend a Campaign For Press and Broadcasting Freedom meeting.

You can see my report on Jeremy Dear's blog as well as a picture of me (I'm the one in the black coat without headgear, near the middle).

I was told that usually it is best to get comments from the mother or father of the chapel, as they are the spokesperson.

I also feel my last line brought too much opinion into the story, and I should have chosen to end it differently.

This post can also be seen at http://brennybaby.blogspot.com