The latest report from Dawlish & District u3a is a bit different from usual - because the speaker at their March meeting on Monday, March 15 was the editor of Dawlish Nub News. Here's the write-up of the talk by the u3a's publicity officer, John Vick.

Members of Dawlish & District u3a were pleased to welcome Philippa Davies of Dawlish Nub News to their monthly meeting on Zoom. In just a few months, Philippa has established the Dawlish website as an important new medium for local people to find out about all the news in their home town. At this time when so many people feel isolated, this is an especially significant development in building social cohesion. There are currently over 60 Nub News sites across the UK.

Reporting the news has undergone enormous changes in recent years, driven by new technologies and business opportunities. Philippa's career charts that superbly. Print is being replaced by the internet, advertising revenues are shifting, radio and TV stations come and go, local players are absorbed by national media groups, social media impacts on all areas of communication. Philippa's CV reads like a history of the industry. Her list of employers includes almost all the commercial radio stations which have broadcast in Devon and Cornwall in the past two or three decades, as well as independent television, and many local newspapers – and even Teletext. Many of these have changed identity by merger into larger organisations such as Heart. Being reminded of their names took her audience down memory lane!

Philippa believes that vibrant local news media play a vital part in our society. She referred to a recent interview on Radio 4 with the academic Professor Tim Snyder in the aftermath of the events on Capitol Hill in the last days of Trump's presidency. He believes that the rise of conspiracy theories and belief in 'fake news' in the USA is substantially connected to the absence of effective local journalism, and the reliance on social media. National media are often seen as remote, and what they say cannot be verified by people on the ground. Active local journalism is one of the best ways to enable people to really find out what is happening in their own communities so that people are not left to rely on rumour and myth.

The mantra for a local journalist should be to 'Expect the Unexpected'! Essential equipment includes a pair of good walking shoes or wellies as you never know where the next assignment might take you. Philippa discovered that a national or international story may have a local dimension. She was reporting on an acupuncture programme for prisoners in Dartmoor Prison and on the same day sought an interview with James Hewitt, friend of Princess Diana. Philippa found herself caught up in the tabloid frenzy of interest in all matters relating to their relationship.

More prosaically, a small radio station studio can be suddenly occupied by a stray dog, and there is no-one else to deal with it in the middle of a broadcast other than the presenter herself!

Perhaps the best example of why Philippa loves local journalism was when she reported what on the face of it was a very minor story for a local newspaper. A man had visited Ottery St Mary with family photographs to try to identify the location of his parents' honeymoon cottage immediately before the Second World War. One photograph clearly showed the farmhouse B&B where they had stayed, but despite touring the area, he could not find the location. Within minutes of it appearing on the website, Philippa had a call from the current owner of the house. The man was thrilled to be able to visit it and trace a small part of his family's history.

This personal engagement with people is what makes local journalism so much fun and so satisfying – and vital. Long may it continue!

Dawlish & District U3A has over 100 members who meet monthly to listen to speakers on a diverse range of subjects, and to enjoy each other's company. In addition, about 20 interest groups meet throughout the month to pursue subjects as varied as Great Lives, History, French Conversation, Wine Appreciation, Scrabble, Rumikub, and Gardens & Gateaux. To find out more, visit their website