Meet the Examiner’s new district reporters

Dec 11 2008 by Andrew Hirst, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE Examiner is to get even closer to its communities from next Monday.

Each area in Huddersfield will have a designated district reporter who readers can contact direct with stories.

It shows the Examiner’s commitment to the diverse communities it serves and ties in with the earlier publication time which starts next week.

All the reporters will also continue to cover general news work and some have other specialities, but they will spend some time in their patches most weeks.

One of the main benefits for readers is that they will now have direct numbers for each of the journalists.

The name of the reporters and the areas they are covering are on the map. If your village or town – for example the Mirfield and Dewsbury areas – are not named, simply look for the nearest one and the reporter covering it. At all times you can contact the news desk.

Examiner editor Roy Wright said: “We believe that the Examiner is at the heart of the Huddersfield community and felt that introducing district reporters is an effective way of getting closer to the varied communities we cover as a paper.

“Readers can now contact the reporter designated to cover their area so please make a note of their direct numbers.

“Readers can also contact the main newsdesk number which is 437712 or email editorial@examiner.co.uk if their district reporter is unavailable.”

Seven reporters are involved in the scheme and here is a bit each has written to introduce themselves.

Huddersfield North (Birkby, Fartown & Bradley and surrounding areas) Katie Campling: I’ve worked at the Examiner for five years as a senior reporter. I also look after the weekly Fresh entertainment section. If you’ve got a story, contact me direct on 01484 437764 or email me at katie.campling@examiner.co.uk

Brighouse, Rastrick, Elland, Outlane and surrounding areas - Joanne Douglas: I’ve been working at the Examiner for 14 months as a senior reporter. You can occasionally catch me presenting the daily video news updates at www.examiner.co.ukSend your stories in to me at joanne.douglas@examiner.co.uk or call me on 01484 437762.

Huddersfield town centre and A629 route including Lindley, Marsh, Edgerton, Oakes areas - Emma Davison: I’m 25 and I’ve been a reporter at the Examiner for 2½ years. I joined the paper as a trainee reporter fresh from an intensive journalism training course in Newcastle and have recently qualified as a senior reporter. I write the Our House column every Tuesday which looks at some of Huddersfield’s most stunning homes. If you’ve got any stories on my areas or any ideas for tales that you would like to see covered in the paper then give me a call on 01484 437763 or email emma.davison@examiner.co.uk

Holme Valley - David Himelfield: I’m 28 and from the wrong side of the Pennines – Manchester. I’ve been at the Examiner for over two years and like music, playing guitar, the great outdoors and cooking. I’d love to hear your stories so get in touch. You can call me direct on 01484 437774 or email david. himelfield@examiner.co.uk

South Huddersfield villages - Nick Lavigueur: I’ve been covering the Huddersfield District patch incorporating Denby Dale, Skelmanthorpe and Kirkburton since I began working for the Huddersfield Express & Chronicle series in July 2007. Phone me on 01484 437714 or email me at nick.lavigueur@examiner.co.uk

Colne Valley - Barry Gibson: I started at the Examiner as a news reporter in 2006 and have also been the local government reporter since last year. Call me on 437775 or email barry.gibson@examiner.co.uk

Huddersfield south including Moldgreen, Dalton, Lepton, lockwood, Almondbury - Sam Casey: I’ve been a journalist for five years and previously worked in Wakefield, Pontefract and Castleford. Please call me on 01484 437769 or email me at sam.casey@examiner.co.uk