Scott Mitchell's blog

Nobody can say for sure he would have been World Champion. But nobody cares, either.

Thirty years ago today Gilles Villeneuve gained Formula One immortality.

Since the horrific crash at Zolder in 1982 which claimed his life, the French-Canadian has held a special place in the hearts and memories of motorsport fans and personnel the world over. A remarkable driver, a genuine person, he was an inspiration to many and, it would seem, a friend to all.

Evening everyone.

On Sunday I'll be running three miles in Rochester for Sport Relief - but with a twist.

As those of you unfortunate enough to follow me on Twitter or be my friend on Facebook will know by now, I'm running in my racing gear; helmet, suit, boots, gloves - the lot.

I did not buy a copy of the News of the World when it hit the shelves for the final time earlier this year. I had no affinity with the paper – a source of some great stories and superb journalism it may have been, but it was not my first-choice Sunday.

However, I do have in front of me a copy of the last ever edition of the East Kent Gazette, purchased earlier this evening while at work. It’s on sale for the final time after its owner, Northcliffe Media, announced a few weeks ago it would cease publication of two papers – the EKG (which includes the Sheppey Gazette and the Faversham Times) and the Medway News.

Earlier in the summer I saw a post on my Twitter feed about online portfolios. I meant to post it on here sooner but I got a bit side-tracked.

Was the audio from the second radio news day we did ever uploaded onto the site?

Any first years stuck revising for local government?

One worried member of the public is single-handedly trying to make Public Affairs appeal to everyone, with a wonderfully ingenious Freedom of Information request.

Leicester City Council admitted it was not ready for a potential zombie invasion after he/she voiced concerns that provisions to deal with any attack were poor.

I can see the new sign now: "Leicester. Home of the undead. (Twinned with Essex)"

Yet another success for a CfJ lecturer, this time in the Regional Press Awards!

Paul Francis, Political Editor of the Kent Messenger and our NCTJ Local Government lecturer, has been named the UK's weekly newspaper journalist of the year. Congratulations Paul!

Only the best for us, eh?

As part of Sky News' coverage of the Royal Wedding they commissioned the work of some student journalists around the country. Here is the effort of myself and Mr Dan May. Unfortunately, a problem with the Sky server meant it was not uploaded in time, but it was a great experience nonetheless and we're pretty pleased with the final result.

You can view the video here: http://centreforjournalism.co.uk/video/close-no-cigar-sky-news-video

The progressive reform of the House of Lords could reach a quick conclusion if only we choose to follow the single-chambered footsteps of countries like New Zealand. This was the tongue firmly in cheek suggestion made by Baroness Dianne Hayter in a talk to Centre for Journalism students earlier today at the Houses of Parliament.

Billed as the most important meeting of the National Policy Forum’s history, Labour Leader Ed Miliband was present to launch a major policy review, and define once and for all what this new- not New- Labour Party was going to be and where it intended to go.