George Docking Journalism Portfolio

THE CHARITY event ‘People help the people’ raised over £2,000 for the Enfield based charity ‘Todos’ at The George pub in Hoddesdon. The snow on Sunday didn’t stop anyone! Multitudes of people still came down to support the event.   Neville Hack, owner of The George Pub commented, ‘Considering we had the worst weather of the year, it was a fantastic turnout with all the community coming together to support a great cause. One of the band members walked all the way from Cheshunt with a guitar on his back! We couldn’t have asked ask for anything more, everyone made an effort it was unbelievable.’ The curator of the event Rhona Beresford-Ambridge encouraged people to bring anything that may help someone living on the streets at this cold time of year. Rhona stated, ‘The Idea of the event is to make it accessible for everybody, bring anything, any little bit will help.’ There was an array of local bands performing, plus raffles and a signed memorabilia auction. Rhona us...

FORMER drug addict turned public speaker Paul Hannaford visited Harlow College to talk to students about the dangers of drugs and knife crime. He is calling for a change surrounding drug education in Britain, claiming, ‘Headmasters are the biggest problem and what happened to me can happen to any of you.’ From Addict to Activist, Paul goes up and down the country talking to around 50,000 young people a year. Since running these talks in the last seven years, Paul has received an overwhelmingly positive response from young people. Paul stated, ‘Since my talk they don’t want to take drugs, they’ve put down their knifes, they don’t want to join a gang, I get 2000 messages a month on social media from kids, I’m in the business of creating bright futures.’ After getting introduced to drugs at a young age, committing crime and being apart of a gang. Paul details the shift that turned him into a heroin addict, believing ‘I’ll try it once I’ll be alright’. Those seemingly innocent ...

http://www.yourharlow.com/2017/12/09/romford-artist-brightens-harlow-with-his-christmas-paintings/ https://www.harlowharrier.co.uk/2017/12/08/romford-artist-brightens-harlow-with-his-christmas-paintings/ A ROMFORD ARTIST has painted a festive themed illustration on the windows of The Clock House pub in Harlow for the Christmas period. Kat Ball Deputy Manager of the pub said, ‘A lot of people have come in since they've seen the paintings.’ Paul Young, 46 has been a professional artist for the last 24 years. He creates an eclectic mix of work, from public exhibits such as advertising and chalkboards in pubs to residential style art such as murals in people’s homes. Paul explains the most fulfilling part of the job is, ‘Anything that’s going to get seen and give people enjoyment!’ Art in public places has the power to make a difference, Paul says, ‘My art can benefit a number of things, the visual aspects cheer people up and brighten the surroundings and hopefully get ...

https://www.harlowharrier.co.uk/2017/11/17/exhibition-showing-the-work-of-late-harlow-artist-harry-anderson/ THE EXHIBITION ‘Innovators in Abstraction’ featuring the work of lifelong friends Harry Anderson and Charles Pulsford has been showing at the Gibberd Gallery in Harlow Town. The two met at Edinburgh College of Art. Charles was Harry’s tutor and they later became friends, sharing ideas and developing artistically together. Roger Lee, a staff member at Parndon Mill, described the friendship as a ‘Purely art based relationship, they were like chalk and cheese, Harry was well read and quiet whereas Charles could be seen staggering the streets of Edinburgh with a bottle of whisky in his pocket and wearing horns on his head.’ Harry Anderson and his ex-wife Sally Anderson met at Edinburgh College of Art in 1950, and in 1954 they moved to London. In 1960 they moved to Harlow and Sally explained, ‘There was a big arts scene in Harlow, with many artists, a string quartet, ...

KING KRULE Archy, the peoples South London boy is back in a big way. Rarely playing UK concerts, and often announcing them with no more than an instagram post on the morning of the show. To little surprise it has taken me 5 years to see the elusive musician, who has gone under a multitude of different aliases- Pimp The Shrimp, Edgar The Beatmaker, Zoo Kid, DJ JD Sports, Archy Marshall- And finally after years in awaiting I caught my break to see the Innovator at a gig in his hometown of London at his two night sold out show at Koko. My love for Archy started at a time when I’d just skimmed the surface of Hip-Hop, listening to an album like 6 feet beneath the moon opened my mind to the stylistics and fusion of genres. The album is a beautiful introduction to beats and free flowing verse, with elements of Hip Hop, Jazz, Rockabilly vocals and Punk. Through listening to Archy’s music and reading interviews, I found the art of Jean-Michel Basquiat, listened to the music of ...

https://www.harlowharrier.co.uk/2017/11/03/off-duty-special-constable-detains-suspected-shoplifter/ A POLICE inspector has praised special constable Dan Schuster for his quick actions and courage in apprehending a shoplifter in the town. Special Inspector Martin East said; ‘I would like to commend Sc Schuster for his quick actions and courage. It shows that even off duty, our officers are prepared to tackle crime whenever they see it.’ The off-duty Constable was confronted by staff wrestling with a man outside B&Q store in Howard Way Harlow. Sc Schuster, who works in construction when not volunteering for the police caught the man after chasing him on foot and conducted an interview with him at the scene. The incident took place at around 10:00am on October 30. The suspected shoplifter, aged 31 and from London, was reported for the offence. And all the items were recovered. Essex Police stated that special constables work on a voluntary basis, investing time in...

https://www.harlowharrier.co.uk/2017/10/20/station-garage-under-siege/ A BISHOP STORTFORD garage owner, who has been been given an eviction notice, has vowed he won’t leave without a fight.   Network Rail has informed Jamie Smither, 58, proprietor of Station Garage, that he will have to leave the business he set up 35 years ago because the land is needed for executive parking.   Jamie has said he wants to take Network Rail to court in order to keep his garage, adding: ’We’re under seige, the corporate bully has picked the wrong person to have a fight with.’   Jamie has until March 31 to appeal to court for a new tenancy, if not he faces eviction but he claims handing the land to Network Rail is not an option.   He said: ‘Station Garage serves local needs and provides local job opportunities, with long serving customers for as long as 20 years and over. Gaining trust and rapport with customers year after year are high priorities. Station Garage’s ac...

https://www.harlowharrier.co.uk/2017/10/13/guardian-estate-agents-put-customers-first/ INITIATIVE and ethics are qualities that Harlow’s Guardian Estate agency always puts first. Paul Andreotti, one of the six owners claims ‘Customers come first and our motto is fair fee for a fair job. I believe in helping people. Andreotti began working as an estate agent back in 2004, after meeting David Coltman the founder of Guardian. There are 19 people working for the company, which aims to make a turnover of one million this year. It manages 800 properties in a 20 mile radius. Despite Guardian being one of the most popular private estate agents in Harlow, it takes in 50% less than the corporate run agencies, showing the value of honesty and integrity. The term coined ‘Generation Rent’ explains the difficulties that young people currently face to get on the housing ladder. Over the last 13 years Andreotti has seen a dramatic increase in the age group of first time house buyers...

https://www.harlowharrier.co.uk/2017/09/27/church-food-bank-offers-support/ THE MAYBURY Open Door Adult Drop in Centre strives to create opportunities and a safe environment for the elderly, people with disabilities, homeless, vulnerable, low income and isolated people. Centre volunteer Michael Raven describes the centre as an “oasis” and a  “stepping stone to employment”. Through Michael’s own experience with unemployment, he highlights the need that the centre fulfils in keeping people engaged in something positive. As well as supplying food, the centre also has a quiet corner, an art table, games section, regular bingo and singing groups, keeping attendees busy with a multitude of different activities. Duncan Craig the satellite manager of the food bank said that despite the amount of poverty within Harlow, the town is hugely generous when donating food. Harlow foodbank, a volunteer and donation run organisation Duncan, originally from Peterborough moved ...