Busy Busy

I’ve had a pretty busy week as I had to do an extra day and a half at Propeller this week, in addition to my normal three days. It was all in a good cause though as we seem to be on a bit of a roll in terms of attracting new business. Hopefully, this week’s pitches and meetings will prove as successful as other recent ones although of course the extra hours take time away from working on the dissertation. It looks like next week will be similarly busy so I can assume a load of fun evenings playing catch up are on the horizon.

Anyway, I did get some marks back from the optional modules I took in semester two, at last. No complaints overall and I’m still on track for a distinction, provided I do a good job on this research. Speaking of which, a couple of completed questionnaires have landed on the doormat. I’ve also been to see Sean Saunders who heads the Methodist Circuit in Hackney. He’s getting his Ministers and some young people to take part. Gary Francis at HCVS should also have some questionnaires for me by Tuesday.

I’ve also had a call from Chris Kennedy, who’s a Councillor. He should be sending his completed questionnaire some time this week. And finally, Sally Scott from the Hackney Gazette has also sent me a completed questionnaire. Wow! A journalist has answered.

I’m kind of hoping that the weather will be as bad tomorrow as it has been today. That will give me a good excuse to start looking through the data I’ve collected so far as well as finalising a product outline for a new online PR service that I’m working on for Propeller. I’m sure Clare will love me for it.

Hydro Hackney

A good piece of PR for Hackney Council on Page 8 of tonight's londonpaper. It seems the councillors are doing their bit to go green by switching all their electricty supply to renewable sources - and saving £500,000 in the process.

Of course, what we don't know is how much electricty was being wasted and whether cutting use could still help further. But we shouldn't be too cynical so a big well done to all concerened. I would have liked to link to the full story but the press release doesn't seem to be up on the Hackney Council site yet. If it's there soon, I will.

Meanwhile, I have emailed my questionnaire to the Hackney Gazette. They seem to have been the least forthcoming people on this project so far. Like a lot of journalists I suppose they are working under coinsiderable time pressure. Then again, who isn't? I'll just have to be persistent ... again!

Chasing

Today began with calls to Hackney Council, Hackney Police and the Hackney Gazette trying to get appointments to see various people. These all proved unsuccessful. I did get an email from Michael Desmond, a councillor, to tell me that he has left a few questionnaires for me at the Town Hall. I’ll head over there tomorrow to collect them. I’ve also been sending out a load to emails to various Hackney stakeholders including Hackney Voluntary Action, Springboard Hackney, the Methodist Circuit, Hackney TUC and a few bloggers who seem to have an interest in Hackney. Finally, I’ve also heard back from HCVS and it looks like the offer of help is now turning into practical assistance. I’ve sent them the main questionnaire and I must remember to send them the students’ questionnaire tomorrow. Anyway, overall some progress. More tomorrow hopefully.