working life Pictures and protests


Photo freedom The approach of the police towards photographers has become a concern for Nottingham branch members. “Increasingly, the branch has raised the issue


offwhat happens when photographers are taking pictures and people don’t like it – ie the police or members of the public – and that is quite a strong issue in Nottingham,” says branch


dominate the news landscape but the commercial sector packs a good punch here.” Nottingham is also home to UK-wide DAB station Boom


Radio, which is ‘run by baby boomers for baby boomers’. Although the programmes are broadcast from presenters’ homes and the station does not employ journalists (news is provided by IRN/Sky), it’s a local success story, amassing almost half a million weekly listeners. While PR, comms and social media management appear to


be thriving, opportunities in magazines seem scarce. One of the most successful is independent art and culture


magazine LeftLion, set up by Nottingham-born Jared Wilson and his friend Al Gilby in 2003. Wilson started it as a hobby while working as a copywriter


and marketing assistant, but by 2014, it had become a full time job and they now employ a small team. “We set it up because we loved the city and wanted to shine


a light on some areas of culture and entertainment we didn’t think were being covered elsewhere,” he says. Wilson puts its success down to the quality of its content, “stubborn-ness” and “a genuine love for the city”. “We consider ourselves print first, putting out a new issue each month, and we don’t go for clickbait with our online publishing,” he says.


In addition, there are lifestyle magazines Nottinghamshire Aspect, the Dilettante Gazette and the Nottingham Arrow, which is owned by the city council. “We get emails from a lot of people, including many


journalism students, who ask us about jobs and work experience,” says Wilson. “In all honesty, I think there are fewer opportunities out there than there are people looking for them. But that’s partly because we have hundreds of people studying journalism courses in the city.”


chair Diana Peasey. The branch meets monthly.


Common causes The branch works closely with Nottingham TUC, co-ordinating protests on


“It’s a fun place to live as well as work, so a great place to start a career. We also have our fair share of local authority dramas, so plenty of opportunities to hold power to account.” Deborah Wilson David, head of media, Nottingham Trent University


“From Robin Hood to the Luddites, Nottingham has always been a city of rebellion, which I like to think is reflected in a strong tradition of trade union activity and solidarity.” Kevin Stanley, BBC journalist and NUJ rep


“I’ve lived in other cities – London, Sheffield and Exeter – but there’s something that always brought me back.” Jared Wilson, editor in chief, LeftLion magazine


issues such as the cost of living and rallies in defence of Ukrainian journalists. Both have also expressed concern over what is happening regarding Russian journalists.


Get out and about As well as good links to London (a direct train takes


two hours), Nottingham has a comprehensive bus and tram network and there are e-scooters that can be hired for the short and long term. “I use them to get into the office and travelling to stories. I don’t need a car,” says BBC journalist, Kevin Stanley.


For freelance writer Kirsty Knaggs, who was born in Nottingham, one of the upsides to moving back was the cost of living: “I couldn’t afford to live in Brighton by myself, but I can here – just!” Knaggs, whose home is in Sherwood, says Nottingham is a


very creative and inclusive city. “It’s a great community, with a very vibrant/eclectic/artsy


centre,” she says. “Brighton was of course very buzzy too, but it was a lot more self-consciously hipster. People tend to be more genuine here.” So, apart from lace-making and links to Robin Hood, what else is Nottingham famous for? Tarmac, Torvill and Dean, Boots and brown sauce all came from Nottingham, as did Raleigh bikes. Sport is well catered for with test cricket at Trent Bridge, football clubs Nottingham Forest and Notts County, and the National Ice Centre, which is home to the Team GB short track speed skating squad. Nottinghamshire was also home to literary giants Byron, DH Lawrence and Alan Sillitoe. “It’s a great city to live in,” says Wilson. “There’s always something to do, lots of good places to go out and eat and drink. Lots of gigs, theatre shows and cinemas. Now that I have young kids, I appreciate the range of family activities on offer. There are also lots of green spaces. “In terms of the cost of living, it’s still a lot more affordable


than most cities. Obviously, the price of most things is rising everywhere right now, but house prices are lower than the national average and, as a city, it’s got everything you want.” Real ale aficionado Kevin Stanley was so inspired that he started a website on ‘great places to drink’ in and around Nottingham (www.nottsnight.com). “Nottingham is my home city, I’ve lived and worked here for most of my life, I love it,” he says.


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