15th April 2011

CREWKERNE: The magnificent Mr Fox

By Marion Draper

Budding journalists at Maiden Beech School in Crewkerne had the opportunity to make their own reports after a visit by BBC journalist Mike Fox.

The pupils enjoyed a presentation by Mr Fox and then wrote up their own reports on the day.

One of the pupils, Billy Hallett, said: “The visit was fantastic and I thoroughly enjoyed it and would love him to come again. I enjoyed my question being answered and he had replied that he had met the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and interviewed him face to face.”

Another boy said: “Another interesting, but funny story he told, was when he dressed as a construction worker for the Euro Tunnel so that he could get in and report on how bad the security was there. I really enjoyed listening to him and would love him to come again!”

All the pupils enjoyed his visit, which was greatly appreciated, and everyone learnt something new about the World Service.”

Holly Chant, Tom Pittard, Matt Thorne, Peter Loaring and Jack Barlow headlined their piece “Magnificent Mr Fox”. They said: “Journalist Mike Fox came to Maiden Beech Middle School to talk about his job at the BBC. He talked to the Year 7 pupils about all the stories he had reported; this included his weirdest stories and some of his most tragic stories. A lot of the Year 7s had puzzling questions to ask Mr Fox.

“One of the questions was: ‘Have you ever met someone famous?’ Mr Fox said that he had met the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown although he was only allowed to interview him for two minutes.

“Mr Fox said that the worst part of his job was night shifts, which were from 21.30 to 7.30 because the World Service goes out every hour and someone has to do the night shift!

“He was once based in Montreal, Canada and had to drive 600 miles to New York to report on the Twin Towers. He said that it was a tragic and emotional night seeing the normally very busy New York centre being almost deserted.

“Everyone enjoyed listening to Mr Fox; he was magnificent.”

PICTURE: TALES OF THE WORLD - BBC journalist Mike Fox talks to pupils from Maiden Beech

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