HyperLocal Blogging is the Future

Clarissa Sebag Montefiore explains the phenomenon known as 'hyper-local blogging' in this BBC article.

Hyper local blogging is any blogging that focusses, almost obsessively on a single town, community or even street, and it's taking off in a big way.

Broadgate is Great is one of those 'Hyper-local blogs', using our closeness to the community to give a unique viewpoint and voice to people who otherwise would not get heard, we're delighted that fellow hyper-local blog 'Preston Blog' got a particular mention as a shining example of what a local blog can achieve. We can testify that their coverage of the Penwortham Leisure Centre Fiasco has so far been second to none, so they fully deserve their place in the national spotlight.

Penwortham Leisure Centre

The threat of closure to Penwortham Leisure Centre is one which Broadgate residents will take very seriously, as it is the easiest leisure centre to reach from our area, the others require at least two different buses to get to, and a long trip through Preston's usual state of traffic gridlock.

Last thursday night, a public meeting with over 400 people was held, with feelings running high. South Ribble Borough Council and Priory High School are failing to reach an agreement, and unless they can, a valuable community facility could be lost.

Ed Walker provides really excellent in depth coverage of the background to the issue, and of what was said at the public meeting over at 'Preston Blog', this is superb material which shows the very best of what local bloggers can achieve.

Click on the links below for the finest coverage of the Penwortham Leisure Centre dispute:

Public meeting called over leisure centred closure threat

The people's views

The council and the school state their positions

Let's support the people of Penwortham and the leisure centre workers in their campaign to keep this essential facility open, and hope that those in responsible positions feel enough hot breath on their necks to quickly work out a common sense way of delivering this.

First Preston Tweetup In Broadgate

The most excellent Preston Blog has announced that the first ever Preston Tweetup will take place at the New Continental in Broadgate.

You need to register for the event which will take place on the 17th March 2009.

According to the sponsors, Stage 9 Marketing,

A tweetup is where people come together, bring along their wi-fi enabled laptop and/or mobile phone and meet other people. People also twitter during the course of the night, so even if you can’t make it you can see what’s happening and contribute, by following #prestontweetup.

At Preston Tweetup we’re going to be discussing ‘How can the web can be used in Preston Guild 2012?’ As the last Guild was held in 1992 and back then broadband and widespread laptop ownership was a twinkle in a very rich man’s eye.
Wi-fi access will be provided free of charge. The first 50 people who register for the event will be able to receive a free drink, up to the value of £3, on production of their printed ticket.

The plan for the night is to start around 7 PM, allow half an hour for drinking and making the wireless access work. At 7.30 PM we’ll introduce the night’s topic and then break off into smaller groups to brainstorm (you’ll be allocated a number as you arrive) and then around 8.30 PM one person will feedback to everyone what their group came up with. The rest of the night will be free for socialising, idea bouncing and networking.

Looks like an interesting night for those who want to use new technology to it's fullest potential, happy tweeting and twittering to everyone who goes!