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Bursaries on offer for would-be arts journalists

Would-be arts journalists can now apply for an annual bursary scheme.

This is the third year the Royal Shakespeare Company is offering the grants which run for 12 months from August.

As part of the scheme journalists will be given access to productions and practitioners with the RSC as well as being mentored by a professional arts journalist.

Deadline for entries is 6 July – for more details and to apply visit the RSC website.


Warwick University has come out on top in the media section of the Guardian’s 2010 University Guide.

The section ranks 79 different institutions on aspects such as satisfaction with teaching and student/staff ratio.

There is no section dedicated solely to journalism courses but the media breakdown includes information services, publicity studies, media studies, publishing, journalism and mass communication.

The guide, which can be read here, is aimed at those wishing to start course in September 2010.


Former Bristol Evening Post assistant news editor Simon Peevers has launched his own PR firm.

Simon, who took redundancy after eight years with the Northcliffe daily last month, has founded Acrobat PR.

He said: “I am looking to use the skills I have gained in digital media from working on the Post to offer a range of new services such as internet films and using social networking as a way to promote a client.

“I have also found a wealth of talent locally in other small businesses such as graphic designers and web designers who are keen to work together to promote each other’s business interests, which is a different approach to the world of journalism.”


Two journalism courses have received re-accreditation from the National Council for the Training of Journalists.

The MA/PgDip at the University of Salford and Sheffield University’s BA in Journalism Studies will be accredited for another two years.


Northern Echo editor Peter Barron had best not be telling any porkies tonight when he judges the annual sausage contest run by the Northern Council of Butchers’ Association.

The news chief was left somewhat deflated by the invitation though, which he thought was being passed on via Malcolm Warne, editor of sister weekly the Darlington and Stockton Times. In fact Malcolm had a previous engagement so had to decline.

“Has it really come to this? A second choice judge for a sausage competition?” Peter blogged.