From Llanelli to London

From local reporter to editor of a leading sports magazine, Paul Morgan knows what it takes to be a good journalist.

Born in the Welsh town off Llanelli Paul moved to London in his late teens in order study politics at degree level. After completing his degree he then began writing for the Richmond times as a politics reporter where he covered the 1992 general election.

After leaving the Richmond times he began reporting on court cases, it was at this point that Paul started to hone what he views as essential journalistic skills such as shorthand while also gaining vast amounts of experience which he still claims help him today. After leaving court reporting Paul worked for several London newspapers before eventually finding himself as editor of rugby world magazine.

Paul Morgan at rugby world offices

When quizzed on what made a good reporter Paul said that a good mix of skills was essential “an eye for a story is vital, if you can’t pick key points out of something then you’ll struggle. A wide range of knowledge helps and obviously then experience also becomes vital”. Paul also stressed that the basic skills of Journalism like shorthand and good English were still as essential today as they have ever been.

Paul also spoke of how he began by earning £25 a day and although he remained coy when asked about his current wage he did reply by saying that “journalism isn’t a job where you’re going to get paid great amounts and you’ll only get out what you put in”.

Lost in Bournemouth

At 72 years old, Joseph Diamond’s life has revolved around war. At age four, Joseph’s earliest memory is one filled with pain and suffering.  In the summer of 1942 German bombers flew over Dublin and discharged their remaining bombs before returning home; the aftermath was truly devastating. He described the faces of the people around him as “white with all the dust” as the look of fright gripped the ones he loved. Joseph still relives the traumas of the bombing and even though he was so young, he can remember it with clarity.

After working on market stalls around Ireland in his early teens Joseph then joined the Irish Free State army at age 15. In the years following, Joseph witnessed several situations and disasters similar to the one he suffered at age four. He then left the army before joining the British navy several years later, in which he visited over 30 countries and learnt to speak four different languages.

If the attack on Dublin taught Joseph anything it was to appreciate and live life to its fullest; something he most certainly has. Joseph has lived in several idyllic locations such as Miami and Canberra but has also found the time to marry three times and have eleven grandchildren.

Joseph settled in Bournemouth in his 50s but regularly visits his grandchildren in the U.S.A. If anything can be taken from Joseph’s story it’s that even those who are born into conflict and disaster can do almost anything.

           

The Trouble with Turkey

Upon reading the title most will think that I'm either really bored, or slightly mental but fortunately. Neither are really true.

I've recently started a new weight training program that aims to build as much muscle while losing as much unnecessary weight as possible so by the time the next rugby season comes around i should be in peak physical condition. I have no problem with attending the gym- I'm not particularly fond of it but who is?- but the lack of tasty food is what truly destroys me at this point. 
I come from a home with lots of good hearty food that tasted like heaven but a diet that revolves mainly around chicken and rice couldn't be further from what i was used to back home. Although pasta, vegetables and potatoes are also mingled in with the training program the main components are supposed to be rice and chicken- although this was changed to turkey due to the surprising cost of chicken- and to be honest there's just not that much you can do with turkey. Christmas dinners just wont be the same