Original News Story

St Augustin's Church will have its last in a ninth annual series of "Spirituality Talks" this week, with a number of guests speakers expressing their views on such topics as Christianity and morality.

Originally started to raise the profile of the Church, the pre-advent talks have taken place every  Wednesday evening throughout October and November, and have previously featured speakers such as the late Welsh Poet RS Thomas, amongst others.

Parish Administrator Penni Baxter is responsible for organising the talks and feels that "people who come really appreciate them. They really offer a new slant on Christianity and morality."

Throughout the nine years the talks have been running, Mrs Baxter claims that there has "never been the same talk twice. Everyone who comes to speak at the Church chooses a personal topic that they are passionate about."

Despite the positive feedback the talks receive, the 65-year-old expressed her concerns over the poor turnout. "Only about a couple of dozen people turn up, it's a real shame."

Retired accountant Margaret Dawson, 72, who has attended all of the talks so far, feels that "if people would just come to one of the talks, they would really enjoy them."

The final talk in the series will take place Wednesday the 26th of November, and will address "the relationship between sexuality and spirituality", taken by the Reverend Norman Boakes.

Vox Pop

With the US Presidential Election just 5 days away, we asked the people of Bournemouth which candidate they would vote for if given the chance.

Democrat candidate Barack Obama, 47, who is currently leading the presidential polls in the US, appeared to be a more popular choice than his Republican rival John McCain.

"He's more sensible than McCain", claims retired Nurse Linda Marshall from Wyke Road, "he's got more policies that the US need". David Lyndhurst from Oxford Road agrees with this, and feels that Obama "would be a refreshing figure for the US".

Some preferences were made based on the way in which current President George Bush has handled his eight years in charge, such as that of retired 65-year-old Nicky Jones from Iford Road Christchurch: "The US needs a change; Bush was a waste of time."

Of those who said they would vote for McCain, many were worried about the consquences that would stem from having a black president if Obama won the election. Such is the belief of teaching assistant Venus Blake: "I worry that if Obama wins, it will be the start of a lot of racial trouble". 

Even though Grant Stone, 35 from Wimbourne Road said he would vote for Obama, he feels that "racial prejudice is the main concern" regarding the Democrat candidate's presidential campaign. This fear has no doubt become more widespread, after it was recently discovered that two white Nazi-supremists were plotting to assassinate Obama. "They definitely need change. That's what we need too, in Britain" was 56-year-old Mrs Hopkins' view, a lollipop lady from Birmingham. her view contrasted with Mrs Blake and Mr Stone's opinions.

Steve Hudney, a 58-year-old legal consultant said, "he would totally change the outlook of the US." His belief was shared with 59-year-old sales manager David, "He would be a refreshing figure for the US." Joanna Foyle and Charlie Kerr, psychology and market students respectively, both agreed with this. "He's what America needs," said Joanna. Charlie expressed his opinion, "Obama looks more likely to solve the problems the US is facing."

Not everyone spoken to was interested in politics such as 65-year-old consultant engineer Roger Blackman, "I have no interest whatsoever." "I wouldn't vote, I don't even vote in this country let alone vote for an American president," was Charlotte Hemp, a 24-year-old office secretary's view.

Running story - plane crash

Two twin former soldiers have died after a light plane crashed at Bovington Army firing range which was littered with active shells.

Four survivors have been found, three female and one male, who deployed their chutes before the crash. The pilot and jump instructor stayed on board the Cessner 337 aircraft, despite there being sufficient parachutes for them, insisting on saving the lives of the four parachutists before considering their own.

Crash survivor Matt McGrath from Winchester said that the two victims, Dennis and Tony Sharnon, seemed to "ignore their own existence. We owe our lives to them". Army Land Rover found him in the 12,000ft firing range, with a helicopter and fire engine picking up the other three survivors. One of the survivors, Laura Cameron, has a broken leg whilst Kate Tong, Debbie Smith and Matt McGrath escaped with cuts and bruises. 

"Big Mac", who co-owned the Dorset Parachute Club with the two victims said the crash is "very tragic" and that "the club has been running for three years, and the worst that has happened up until now is someone fracturing a femur".

A mechanical fault caused the crash, with Mr McGrath hearing a "massive bang" from the rear engine. Big Mac claimed the plane was in "good condition" prior to flying, with both pilot and jump instructor being "very experienced".

The active shells prevented easy access to the crash site by paramedics and fire crew. Upon witnessing the crash, Lt Daltrey of the Bovington Army said "the troops were ordered to stop firing at the earliest opportunity".

The light aircraft left Compton Abbus at 1:05pm, crashing at Gallows Hill in Bere Regis just ten minutes later.

Police are currently contacting the family of the two dead ex-soldiers, and are continuing to search for the four missing.

Running Story - armed gunman

Two people have died and another has been injured after an armed gunman took refuge in St Marks School in Bournemouth, Dorset.

The man raised his shotgun threateningly at an officer upon leaving the building, despite orders on several occasions to lower his weapon. He was then shot by six officers, who fired a total of 17 low-velocity rounds at the suspect at 3:30pm.

The gunman, thought to be in his 40s, shot a man in the lower back and killed him on Wallisdown Road and then fled into a first-year classroom. He then proceeded to take the staff and pupils hostage until the police negotiated their evacuation. 

The man agreed to leave the building once his wife was brought to him from their home in Dorchester. After speaking to his wife on radio link, the man followed police orders to leave the building before raising his weapon at the officer.

A teacher has suffered cuts and bruises following threatening shots by the gunman in the classroom. There have been no other casualties of pupils or teachers.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Rose said "the officers had no choice. We have to preserve human life, including the lives of my officers."

The crisis arose following a domestic dispute between the suspect and the victim of the shooting on Wallisdown Road, and is thought to involve the wife of the gunman, according to eyewitness Ian Rogerson.

The evacuated school children are currently being reunited with parents at Bournemouth University and staff members are in talks with police. The man's wife is being comforted by police officers.

What makes a good reporter?

Metal Hammer reviewer Jonathan Selzer believes that when it comes to being a good reporter, conducting interviews correctly and structuring features efficiently are key things to remember.

Since his life in music journalism began in 1989 with a job in Melody Maker, the London-born journalist has discovered several techniques which enable him to derive the best responses from an interview subject. "It's best to get eye contact with the person you are interviewing" he explains, "as they tend to open up more." Simple though it sounds, the reviewer also emphasises the importance of "listening to the subject", in order to make the most of the interview.

Surprisingly, Mr Selzer advises against taking a list of questions. "It can make the interview feel detached if you just read questions off of a list; I like to just go in with a brief idea of what the interview theme is in my head."

When it comes to writing features, the 38-year-old recommends that writers catch a balance between  being in-depth and concise. "It's always hard structuring a feature so that it tells a story, but it's important to do so."

Mr Selzer currently writes for the "Subterranea" portion of Metal Hammer, which is dedicated to the underground side of the metal scene, following seven years as Editor of extreme music magazine Terrorizer. During his time at these publications, he has interviewed such musicians as Justin Broadrick of Godflesh, and Michael Gira (founder of Swans), as well as writing a wealth of features on the genres of Death metal and Black metal. 

The Early Memories of Albert Douglas

The earliest memories of Bournemouth resident Albert Douglas take him back to the age of 5, growing up in his hometown of Hartlepool and playing British Bulldog in the street with his neighbourhood friends. Yesterday he recounted some of his childhood experiences from growing up in the 1930s.

The retired 77-year-old claims that the days when children's leisure time was filled with active games such as French cricket and football are long gone; "we used to stay out and run around until it was dark. Nowadays, kids just sit at their computers all night; it's not the same."

Alongside the games that still thrive on the school playground are some that time has forgotten - yet they remain cemented in Albert's memory. "Relievo" is one he particularly remembers: "It's a fast game, with lots of running about. One person runs after the rest and 'catches' them, whilst two others act as guards to stop the captured people getting away. Nobody plays it anymore though."

Mr Douglas hopes to pay his Hartlepool home a return visit soon with his wife of 60 years, Margaret Douglas. "I lived in that house until I was 20", he recalled, "I really enjoyed my time there."