LIVE Coverage of the Demolition of the Massey AGCO Tower from Coverage

Many Thanks to all those who supported the Massey Tower Event Today. I'm delighted to use Google Plus and Events in this way. It will provide an great example for people curious how a LIVE Event unfolds. 

For the record, at the precise time of the detonation, I refreshed my screen and missed it. Which is getting to be a habit as when we covered the LIVE Thyroid Surgery, I also missed the exact moment the thyroid was removed from the patient. 

Coventry v West Ham LIVE Video and Tweets from CI Kerry Blakeman West Midlands Police

With 6,000 fans expected in Coventry today from West Ham, once again Kerry Blakeman is giving LIVE Video Updates.

This player will up date as the broadcasts come in.

I know what you're thinking, why doesn't Kerry just broadcast the whole game live. Somehow, I think that's not allowed..

Operation Blade in is Progress in Coventry with Monty

CI Kerry Blakeman recorded this video clip earlier of Operation Blade in Coventry. The message is very simple: 

Carry a Knife, expect to go to Prison.

For more about Monty:

Police dog Monty teaches pupils to behave on the bus

Is there a case for local TV in Warwickshire and Coventry?

Courtesy: Maps Ofcom Local TV

A few days ago, Jeremy Hunt, announced 65 areas of potential local TV in the UK:  Jeremy Hunt reveals 65 areas in running for local TV services (Guardian, 9 Aug 2011). 

Coventry wasn't on the list and the only place that did was Stratford Upon Avon. Ofcom came up with some geographic interleaved spectrum (see the FAQs).

This page continues to explain in technical talk: The nature of this spectrum means that not everyone will be able to get local TV delivered through DTT, due to inherent gaps in the spectrum and topographical challenges. Some cities and towns are not well served by GI spectrum and this is unavoidable.

Maybe, it's just easier to see this Local TV coverage map 2011 and zoom in to your local area. That's were the image, top left comes from - and no, a child did not spill some watercolour paint over it. The local TV coverage is shaded. So, if you live in Warwick and Leamington, it's a maybe and Kenilworth a definite no. The Stratford transmitter is located at Lark Stoke (yellow on the map).

There are loads of reports to download at Ofcom about local TV and at DCMS Culture website. finally, there was a seminar in Birmingham today with Jeremy Hunt, here is the twitter link and hashtag: #localtv.

And for those asking about another solution, the Sangat TV model works on mobile phone networks to send the broadcast not transmitters. If anyone knows more locally about this, guest posts always welcome at wiK.

Coventry Community 19 - New Project Launched Today

A new online project started today called Coventry Community 19. From their own words: 18 Communities + the glue that holds it together = Coventry Community 19 which is a people driven blog with up to 100 authors. Applications are now open... 

email: coventrycommunity19@gmail.com tweet: @CovCommunity19

This seems some good news as back on 23 May 2001 that wiK posted: Coventry Bloggers - We want to hear from you..

Here at wiK, we are delighted to be supporting Coventry Community 19 which comes as no surprise as we already work with West Midlands Police, Fire and the Community whenever we can. 

What has changed from the events of last week, is the determination and resolve that Coventry has showed in refraining from disorder. If there was ever a sense of Community then it must be now. We are all aware that writing is difficult for some and time consuming at the best of times. And with that in mind, if each cluster of a community can produce something personal, then when all the parts are viewed from a distance - you will see something it's useful, unique and certainly worhwhile.

This seems to be the driving force behind Coventry Community 19 - talking about your immediate community and sharing. Which bring all the 18 wards together, mixing with the magic element (the glue) and we then have 19 - a recipe that Coventry might just need.

Live Twitcam from @KerryBlakeman and @NECov_Police discussing the Week's Policing from Coventry

Here is the show to watch again from CI Kerry Blakeman and Insp Jo Floyd. The program lasted for one hour, discusses recent crime stories, viewer questions and ways to use social media like twitter in policing.

This follows a public meeting in Cheylesmore last night (Thursday, 11 August) where Insp Alastair Orencas updated local residents on recent events (CI Kerry Blakeman was also at that meeting along with three other officers).

Godiva Festival 2011 - Musical Youth Photos and Video

For those too young to remember, Musical Youth topped the charts in 1982 with Pass the Dutchie.

They performed at #covgodiva on Saturday. Here some photos of front man Dennis Seaton and the rest of the band. There was a real buzz in the Rhythm Tent that afternoon. There are three Musical Youth videos: at The wiKenilworth YouTube Channel: One Love, Never Gonna Give You Up and Pass the Dutchie.

The Godiva Festival 2011 - Blancmange, Heaven 17 and Backstage

In this set, we have inside the Comedy Tent, Blancmange, Heaven 17, the stage as viewed from the back (notice the dramatic light changes), post gig interview and clouds and a night sky - you'll like it. This is the last set tonight, more tomorrow.

The Godiva Festival 2011 - Inside the tents, Heaven 17 Soundcheck and BBC's Bang Goes the Theory

In this album, you can find some images from inside the tents, the Heaven 17 Soundcheck and inside the BBC Bang Goes the Theory tent. Looking back (when it's all over), this set is just one one small part to a much bigger story.

The Godiva Festival 2011 - Finally setup, now awaiting the crowds

On the second visit to The Godiva Festival this afternoon (Friday 1 July), nearly everything was in place. Here are some more images of what you can expect. Photos are from a tour of the stands. It may just help those people who spot something and want to visit tomorrow - I know my favourites.

The Godiva Festival 2011 - Setup photos from the park

This was the scene today as the setup for Godiva 2011 continues. As @godivafestival welcome any photos (taken by anyone at all) to be added their their Flickr Group, I thought I would get the ball rolling. The Festival opens in just about 24 hours time. Perhaps, some video or the odd audio next...

The first 16 images are a 360 degree rotation, after that some closer shots including the accessibility viewing platform for the main stage.  

The Godiva Festival 2011 in War Memorial Park Coventry 1-3 July

The Coventry Godiva Festival 2011 starts on Friday 1 July (for three days). For those people who want to find out more, there is every imaginable Social Media tool available - a real example to the rest.

Before it all starts, we're supported by a photo album, twitter account @godivafestival and the official hashtag #covgodiva. Content can also be shared across any platform with the public invited to send in photos as the festival unfolds.

A Walk around Charterhouse Fields - What's it all about?

Why not visit Charterhouse Fields

Charterhouse Fields has been in the news for what seems like forever. But for me, living over the border it was no more than two words in a headline.

UPDATE 5 July 2011: Latest News Stories
Coventry's Blue Coat School urges parents to fight village green status (5 July 2011)

Coventry City Council hands over dispute Charterhouse Fields Blue Coat School (30 June 2011)

Public Land - Staying Public Land is what the sign reads from the Charterhouse Fields Campaign. They first posted on 2 May 2011 (52 days ago) following clashes with the neighbouring Blue Coat Church of England School. Since, then there have been many articles, for the latest news see News: Charterhouse Fields.

To find out what Charterhouse Fields looks, see these 59 images. I didn't realise the area was steeped in so much history. If you haven't visited the area before - get on down and see for yourself (Area Map).

Live TwitCam from West Midlands Police and Fire - Wed 25 May at 7pm

Quinton Parade, Cheylesmore

Following the successful Twitcam in Earlsdon on 22 March, Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman and Fire Commander Simon Shilton will broadcast a live video Meet and Tweet from Cheylesmore, hashtag: #CovCam. 

The event starts at 7pm at Quinton Parade, Daventry Road, Cheylesmore, Coventry, CV3 5HD and lasts for one hour. Online viewers may come from the USA, Canada and Scotland - so it's not just the Coventry people that tune in (see  SMILE Conference from Chicago)

Coventry Bloggers, we want to hear from you - let us know you're there

Citizen Journalists get in touch

A few months ago, I thought I would have a search for some hyperlocal blogs in Coventry. Here I am...a few months later and I have no list at all. I'm going to say I've been terrible at looking as I know there must be some really fantastic Blogs - Made in Coventry. 

To qualify, all you need to be doing is writing about your local area. For example, I write about Kenilworth (and Warwickshire). Dan Essex in Barnacle writes about the Shilton Parish (just off the M69). 

Coventry can be divided into many areas (in a number of ways). West Midlands Police have: Binley and Willenhall, Woodlands, Whoberley, Sherbourne, Radford, Holbrook, Bablake, Wyken, Upper Stoke, Lower Stoke, Longford, Henley, Foleshill, St Michael's, Westwood, Wainbody, Earlsdon and Cheylsmore.

In South Coventry, Inspector Alastair Orencas has a blog called South Coventry Police News and a bit more. There are many smaller areas in the South like: Tile Hill, Eastern Green, Finham and Canley. You don't need me to tell you all that - because you live there. There must be some really good Neighbourhood Watch websites around. If you run one - get in touch and we can mention you at the #CovCam Meet and Tweet on Wed 25 May at 7pm.

And before I go, I've not forgotten about Whitley, Hillfields, Holyhead Road, Coundon, Whitmore Park, Bell Green, Coombe Fields,  Keresley or Potter Greens. And yes, I have read some of those from the map as I am off to search Google for the local sites I cannot find. But please help and tell us all about your hard work spent on a laptop creating something really brilliant to support your Community...

UPDATE: News, Views and Reviews of Earlsdon  www.earlsdon.info now added.

Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman on Social Media Twitter to BBC

Topics covered in this audio clip are the West Midlands ever increasing use of Social Media like Twitter. Listen out for the great example of reptile recovery.

West Midlands Police Twitter Accounts - The Coventry Charts

WMP in Coventry on Twitter

If Warwickshire Police are to explode into the Twitter market, it's worth taking a look at the evidence from West Midlands Police (in Coventry). From their Social Network Links page, they list 23 twitter accounts (I know there are many more). 

On the left, we have the main five accounts. Inspector Alastair Orencas (@coventry_police) has been on twitter for 793 days, has made 1,627 tweets (average 2 a day) and has 1,054 followers. He is the pioneer.

What emerges is the need for Social Media like Twitter. Of the 23 accounts, they have an average of 236 followers. WMP Coventry have made 4,327 tweets. I prefer to use the term FMCC - a Fast Message to Contact their Community.

Each account has been open on average for 357 days. If Coventry has a population of 309,800, just imagine what Warwickshire can do with it's population of 535,100. One estimate could be (in a year from now), 40 twitter accounts, making 7,474 tweets (FMCC) and 9,384 followers. Come on Warwickshire.

View Larger Map

Insightful Twitter use from West Midlands Police - All in a day's work..

Kerry Blakeman is on the right

Kerry Blakeman is the Chief Inspector of West Midlands Police responsible for 18 dedicated neighbourhood teams and five response teams at the Coventry (LPU).

Tweets from Kerry show a diverse range. They show how influential a Chief Inspector can be with twitter.

Kerry's already a contributor to whatsiKenilworth where WM Police have been using Twitcam to engage with communities as well as Audioboo and the BBC. 

A great example of Kerry reaching parts that other tweeters cannot reach is this: @WMP_Helicopter if any of you guys have a smart phone any chance of pics from the sky? But not from the pilot! (24 April, 6.31pm). 

A few hours later from the clouds: Front seat observer: A number of responsibilities including navigation and camera operation. http://twitpic.com/4p2qah (24 April, 9.06pm).

Then: @WMP_Helicopter superb pic - great to see, I look forward to seeing some scenic views of the West Midlands from the air also (9.13pm). This was also linked with Wolverhampton from the air.

A Chief Inspector can tweet about well deserved news as well: Len Dacombe who served in the Blitz as a Special receives a certificate from the Chief Constable. I'm on the right http://twitpic.com/36tngq (see photo top left) (14 Nov, 2.24pm).

Community engagement is excellent to see with tweets like this: Thank you to the #Sikh community of #Coventry for a cheque 4 £501 for the special constabulary memorial stone http://twitpic.com/4ov05c (24 April, 10.55pm)

And the magnificent simplicity of Kerry's tweets is how often you see what Kerry sees:  Parade now at Broad St, Pacing ourselves #samosaoverload http://twitpic.com/4ovxof (24 April, 12.23pm).

Kerry Blakeman as @kerryblakeman joined Twitter on 24 October 2009, has made 475 teets, follows 335 and has 544 followers. Great work - keep it up.

Fantastic Story Telling by Coventry Fire Service - all by Twitter

Photos by Simon Shilton

Simon Shilton is the Coventry Fire Command Operations Commander. So how does he use Twitter? Brilliantly - that's how. What makes the tweets of Simon Shilton interesting are the three layers of story telling. Whether this is by clever design or just a natural gift I cannot say (I will find out though). 

In my view, the three layers consist of the professional (official), professional (unofficial) and private (but shared). From these elements, we have a whole picture of a Fire Commander - all by twitter.

The photo above was taken to accompany this tweet: Kingswinford fire ongoing. I've now left the scene, down to 8 engines. Hard working firefighters grab a break http://t.co/0TcGPU (24 April, 3.26am). 

Before that: Looks like we'll be in attendance for some time a whole load of rubbish http://t.co/AKosH2 (23 April, 9.56pm). 

The first tweet: Just in attendance at a 10 pump fire in Kingswinford (23 April, 9.27am).

For a professional, but unofficial example form Simon, try this: The modern fire service, what ever happened when we didn't have mobile email? Any spare minute, it's an addiction http://t.co/DPaEV (1 April 12.30pm). 

I have no idea what makes a great tweet, but one quality may be making something quite ordinary seem timeless and yet comment on the changing world around us.

Here is the last element, private but shared: After a 72 hour on call shift I'm spending my day relaxing, me, myself and I. #peaceandquiet http://t.co/dzJeru (14 March, 9.30am)

Simon's first ever tweet was: Just joined up! wanted to see what all the fuss is about! not a clue what I'm doing :) (22 Nov 2010, 8.36pm). Simon Shilton as @spshilton has made 1,481 tweets, follows 131 and has 140 followers. Great work - keep it up. 

By contrast, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue have one Twitter account  @WarksFireRescue which is from the service not individual officers. I will search for others. 

A Twitcam from @kerryblakeman Police @spshilton Fire

One day, hopefully very soon, Warwickshire Police will open a Twitter account and produce a Twitcam. Until then, see how the West Midlands Police and Fire are leading the field to engage with their local community. What's in Kenilworth have a YouTube channel.