Western Morning News reporter Neil Young got a passenger’s eye view of rallying as he joined Subaru driver Steve Furzeland for a gentle spin in the Westcountry Regency Stages Rally.
Afterwards he said: “I can see why people find rally car racing addictive. All those clichés about speed, thrills and adrenalin rushes are true.”

An auction lot of local newspaper cuttings and collectibles relating to Stockton and Darlington outstripped all estimates when it went on sale.
The five volumes, which included items from the Darlington and Stockton Times, reached £1,350 – when the estimate was for £500-£1,000.

This year’s Archant Editorial Conference, with the theme Time for a Change? will be held at Stansted Airport’s Hilton Hotel at the end of June.
Ipswich Evening Star editor and event organiser Nigel Pickover said: “Delegates will be asked to explore different ways of reporting and presenting the news, features and sport in various Archant newspapers and magazines.”

The Periodical Publishers’ Association two-day conference and awards event Magazines 2004 will include 14 separate strategic seminars and five awards ceremonies over May 4 and 5.
Big name speakers will include Alastair Campbell, Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Leonard Lauder, chairman of Estee Lauder.

The Gannett Foundation has handed a £7,500 cash boost to a community restoration business and an advice bureau in St Albans.
Citizen’s Advice and Emmaus St Alban’s benefited from the grants, which came from Newsquest’s parent company.

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