Blue Plaque Honours Jill Dando as Good News Rooms Project Expands

By Jill Dando News

Weston-super-Mare is set to celebrate the legacy of Jill Dando, one of Britain’s most loved journalists, with a Blue Plaque today at 1pm.

Jill will join other famous figures remembered in the town, including Bob Hope and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

The plaque will be unveiled at the Weston Mercury building, where Jill started her journalism career at just 18, after leaving Worle School.

Funded by Weston-super-Mare Town Council, now based at the building on 32 Waterloo Street, the plaque is a lasting tribute to Jill’s remarkable life and career.

The event also highlights the expansion of the Good News Rooms project - setting up positive newsrooms in schools - inspired by Jill’s life, character of kindness and excellence in journalism ‘with a smile’.

The event coincides with the expansion of the student-led Good News Rooms project, created in Jill’s memory. 

Since 2011, the initiative has empowered children aged 4 to 21 to become kind, positive, real-life reporters. Starting in Somerset, Good News Rooms have since spread to Malawi and are now expanding across the UK.

This month, Heron’s Moor School in Weston-super-Mare joined the project, with 20 pupils now in training with professional journalists to capture uplifting stories.

The ceremony will also mark the launch of the Jill Dando News Network, a platform connecting student reporters from various schools. Their stories are published on the Good News Post (www.goodnewspost.co.uk) and shared with wider media, with professional journalists offering support and training.

One of the event speakers will be Olivia Finch, a former student of Jill Dando’s old school, Worle School. Now 21 and studying at Bristol University, Olivia is the first graduate of the Good News Rooms project. She began writing at just 12 and has since interviewed high-profile figures, including astronauts and BBC’s Fiona Bruce.

Reflecting on her journey, Olivia said: “I never imagined I’d end up on Good Morning Britain, speaking on the BBC, or interviewing astronauts. At 15, in Glasgow, I was about to go live across the UK. That’s when I realised how many doors Jill Dando News had opened for me.”

Olivia also coined the project’s defining phrase: “Jill was the smiling face of Britain,” a phrase that remains central to the initiative.

In a media landscape often dominated by negative headlines and doomscrolling, Good News Rooms focuses on promoting kindness, positivity, and community. The project encourages students to write the ‘fluffy’ stories that Jill liked, highlighting charity work, community achievements, and inspiring students and individuals.

Oliver, 15, from Worle School, said: “The Jill Dando News project has taken me to Parliament four times, given me work experience in London at a prestigious newspaper and even allowed me to interview top politicians. My confidence has flourished. Every school needs a Good News Room.”

Rosie, 12, from Priory School, started aged 9 at her primary school.

“I’ve loved every minute of Jill Dando News. It’s given me confidence and experience interviewing people from all walks of life. Our reporters really believe that all things are possible.”

Ellise Hayward, 23, who has cerebral palsy, said: “Becoming the Disabilities Editor for the Jill Dando News and the Good News Post has been a dream come true 

“I never imagined I’d end up on CBS News and speaking in the Houses of Parliament. 

“I believe every school needs a Good News Room. Jill Dando News had opened so many doors for me!’

The event will be attended by guests including Mayor Cllr Williams, former Mayor John Crockford-Hawley, Nigel Dando, and children reporters, patrons, various headteachers and journalists.

Mayor Cllr Williams, a patron of Jill Dando News, said: “Jill Dando was a phenomenal role model for our town and for journalists everywhere. It is a fitting and living legacy that Good News Rooms, in her memory and style, are now launching across Weston-super-Mare and beyond.”

Georgie Tinker, Headteacher of Heron’s Moor School, added: “We have 20 pupils finding positive stories from our school, community, and charities. The children are buzzing—we love being part of this incredible literacy and feel-good project in memory of Jill.”

Mark Tidman, Headteacher of Worle School, said: “We are beyond thrilled that our students, at Jill Dando’s former school where she starting writing news stories aged 13, have led the charge in bringing this Good News Rooms project to life in her memory. 

“There are no boundaries to what the young reporters can achieve, just as Jill’s legacy knows no limits.”

Twice Weston mayor, John Crockford-Hawley, a close friend of Jill’s said: “We are delighted to honour Jill in this way with a Blue Plaque at her first newspaper but also with the Good News Rooms project empowering children to follow in her footsteps with positivity, kindness, excellent journalism and with a smile” 

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons and patron of Jill Dando News, said: ‘Jill Dando’s positive attitude and stellar career in journalism continues to inspire young reporters to pursue the truth with kindness – so it is only right that a Blue Plaque in her memory should be placed at her first newsroom. 

”Jill’s life was cut short cruelly, and too soon. Encouraging young people to become seekers of good news is inspiring and a great way of ensuring her legacy lives on.’“

Honorary Patron Alan Titchmarsh said: “It’s wonderful to hear that Jill has a Blue Plaque placed in her first newsroom. It is also a thrill to hear that children are finding and writing positive stories in Good News Rooms as part of her memory and legacy. 

“We all need positive stories to keep us all buoyed up and encouraged. Well done all the young reporters for keeping Jill’s memory alive” 

David Kenneford who was a Weston Mercury Photographer for 48 years will help take the photos at the event where he worked with JIll.

He said: “Jill was very kind, such a great journalist and her smile always lit up the newsroom.”

Jill Dando News, the Good News Post and the Good News Rooms project was created by Purple Sheep PR and its founder, former journalist Shane Dean.

Shane said: “Jill Dando’s legacy of kindness, positivity and outstanding journalism continues to inspire children. 

“As Good News Rooms spread across the UK and beyond, young people will learn to tell stories that lift the world — something we need now more than ever.”

There are currently 12 Good News Rooms, with many more planned in the months ahead. 

Other interested schools keen to explore setting up a Good News Room can email news@goodnewspost.co.uk or visit www.goodnewspost.co.uk

To read uplifting stories, visit Good News Post.