Media frenzy in Honiton!

Standing on a chair taking pictures is not ideal, but when the local newspaper photographers turn out in force to an official event its best you give them the front row.

A media frenzy in Devon, well yes, sort of. Press photographers were eagerly snapping Exeter’s sporting heroine Jo Pavey as she opened our new £1.2m day hospice in Honiton.

Flashbulbs were going off like crazy, watched by patients, supporters and staff who loved being part of the action. Being the Hospiscare press officer is more than balancing on a chair taking photographs, I also had to balance a pad and pen to take down Jo’s speech. I had a go but the brain cells, which used to craft 100 words minute shorthand, are long gone.

So how did I get it all done and what’s the secret solution to slower shorthand note taking? Easy, as I get older I also get cheekier, so along with some other mature reporters we get them to say it again or borrow the speech!

It turns out the four times Olympian is also Honiton’s heroine – she was born there and was thrilled to open the day hospice in the town’s King Street. A colleague told me Jo looked both surprised and delighted when she saw her name on the plaque she unveiled. OK I missed that shot; she had her back to me!

An official opening ceremony doesn’t just happen it was a team effort. In true Hospiscare style we called on our loyal supporters for help. A colleague's florist mum made the ribbon bow which Jo cut, while Shirley one of Broadclyst Theatre Group’s seamstresses edged the purple material covering the plaque. Honiton supporter Eric got his pen knife out and cleaned the “official” ribbon cutting scissors, while our flower lady Jane pulled out all the stops.

I’ll sign off by quoting Jo. Well done Team Hospiscare.