SebastianFaults (28/07/2009 08:58)
I give it three months after the grant runs out. The trouble with 'good news' is that it's dull. No-one is interested in council puff stories - that's why council newspapers don't work.


Roy Challis (28/07/2009 09:12)
The glaring grammatical mistake in the main headline doesn't bode well for the quality of this publication. I do wish publications wouldn't brand themselves as "newspapers" when they're nothing of the sort.


Fox Mulder (28/07/2009 09:18)
Congratulations on this, David, it's a terrific initiative and I wish you all the best. I'm looking to set something similar up myself for where I live. As mainstream media continues its decline and becomes even more detached from its communities, I'm convinced social enterprises like this are the way forward and will be significant local players both in-print and online in years to come. What people like SebattianFaults don't realise is that not everyone's interested in a diet of crime and court - and that community reporting (if done well) can be interesting and relevant. And it's a democratic necessity given many grass roots groups and events are no longer covered by journalist-lite papers run by people like Johnston and Trinity. These papers often peddle 'council puff' stories which haven't even been rewritten from the press release anyway...


Hannah (28/07/2009 09:49)
I agree, such stories CAN be interesting and relevant, and those which are get into local newspapers. Those which aren't, don't. I just don't believe that a newspaper can live off that kind of froth and survive, never mind actually being a good read. I am constantly being told that the newspaper I work for (and I have worked for a few) is "too negative", but the truth is, we constantly put good news in - we have several stories on school initiatives, massive charity feats/fundraising schemes, celebrities coming to the area etc. every single day. People don't realise this because they don't read them, they are simply not as interesting as stories with a bit more substance to them, ie ones that generally have negative outcomes. Not all interesting stories are negative, but most of them are, and to act any differently is just ignoring what journalism is all about and arrogantly trying to prove a non-existent point.


BarryJesus (28/07/2009 10:16)
Good news has it's place and readers love quirky stories as much as hard news. But you can't ignore hard news and call yourself a newspaper. What is the paper going to do if the proverbial plane falls out of the sky killing 50 people? Put a nice flower show picture on the front and a story about how lovely local beekeepers are? And I also suspect it's going to be full of council fluff - therefore it will actually be doing a diservice to proper journalism. It is grossly misleading to call this a newspaper. It is a community newsletter, and any self-respecting journalist knows there's a vast difference between the two.


pissedoffwithpapers (28/07/2009 10:57)
@BarryJesus: if the plane falls out of the sky killing 50 people, then I'd presume they'd run a story on the one survivor, or the people who missed the plane through illness. positive spins can always be had... not that I'm saying it's a good thing! good luck to the venture anyway.


Terry McNeill (28/07/2009 15:36)
I'm the typesetter who worked on Coastal View - I can't believe that people are knocking David and his product for 'having a go'. In an industry that is faltering - no dying - you have nerve to put this product down. In a region where there isn't much good news at the moment with steel situation at Corus and current mood across the country in general, any good news is welcome. I enjoyed working on issue one and i'm currently working on issue two and issue three is already covered in terms of costing. I used to work for the Evening Gazette in Middlesbrough and was made redundant so for David Honeywell to give me work was fantastic for me, he has also generated work for other people in terms of distibution. The response to issue one was fantastic and the product was well received in the local community. Do you really think the public cares where the content is from as long as it's worth a read. Call it what you want but this a newspaper and it brings good news to the area - you people who criticise should take a long hard look at yourselves and be offering David your help, support and advice.


Cornelius Atweasle (28/07/2009 17:13)
I'm with you Terry. Good luck to David for daring to have a go. I wish him every success. With so much negativity and whinging, it's no wonder newspapers are in a sorry state. And they have the cheek to pile the blame on to newspaper owners.


BarryJesus (28/07/2009 17:57)
Of course we're negative and cynical, we're journalists. And real journalists should be annoyed by this claiming to be a newspaper. I have no problems with someone trying to make money out of a publication but to claim that it's a proper newspaper is offensive to what real journalists do. This is a feelgood community newsletter - and that's fine - but don't pretend it's anything else. It's as bad as a council rag passing off its spin as real news and it's like saying WWE wrestling is a proper full contact sport just like boxing. If the paper is going to look for a nice angle in every story it covers, then it's very likely going to mislead people about what the real issues are or take the attention away from the serious and important stuff. So however well intentioned this may be, it has very little to do with journalism.


Lynne Nicholls (28/07/2009 18:05)
I would like to publically thank David Honeywell on behalf of myself and the people of Redcar & Cleveland. OK so I'm not a journalist and maybe not as good with words as many of you but I do know a good guy when I meet one! I thank David for giving me the opportunity to work on Coastal View after a long time "out in the wilderness". We live in an area where there is so much economic depression at the moment yet the folk up here still manage to smile. David has totally unselfish motives for producing Coastal View, he just wants to give something back to the area that he loves and has lived in for most of his life.For this he should be applauded instead of being shot down by people like yourselves who should know better. I believe that David and his newspaper will be around for a long time and if he allows me so will I, proud to be working alongside him. So, chill out you lot, give David and Coastal View a break, he deserves to be encouraged not discouraged.


Diana Luke (29/07/2009 11:09)
At last! This is a turning point of such a significant nature - I do hope it catches on like wildfire across the country and encourages more to see the positive benefits of spreading a bit of happiness and encouragement. Even Alan Sugar said all papers should have at least one day a week where it is ALL just good news. The bonuses to both mind and body can be magnificent. I work as a radio presenter and a psychotherapist so have seen it from both sides. Well done and best of luck! Diana


Diana Luke (29/07/2009 11:09)
At last! This is a turning point of such a significant nature - I do hope it catches on like wildfire across the country and encourages more to see the positive benefits of spreading a bit of happiness and encouragement. Even Alan Sugar said all papers should have at least one day a week where it is ALL just good news. The bonuses to both mind and body can be magnificent. I work as a radio presenter and a psychotherapist so have seen it from both sides. Well done and best of luck! Diana


Jamie Morgan (29/07/2009 14:35)
I'm reading these comments and it's boiling my bladder. At least give the bloody thing a chance before garotting it. Have HTFP come back in 3 months and get public reaction. Then, and only then comment on how bad an idea it is if that is the general consensus of those receiving it say so. Until then, you group of skeptical Sids, keep shtoom!


Joan Archer (29/12/2009 15:54)
Now living in another country,I was so pleased to read about the new Coastal View newspaper, as I can look at it online and keep up-to-date with what is happening in the area I have spent most of my life. Well done, David _ I don't know who you are but, from the comments made here, I can see that you are a good guy. And to hell with the negative comments - it is well-known that negative comments have their place, even if they do come from what seem to be professional complainants! Jobe's comforters, I do believe!