Walliscote pupils follow in Jill Dando’s footsteps at former Weston Mercury newsroom
Young reporters from Walliscote Primary School have been given a special lesson in local journalism – inside the very building where Jill Dando began her career.
The pupils were welcomed by Weston-super-Mare Town Council as part of the school’s Good News Room project, giving them the chance to explore the history of the building and town.
The Town Council is now based in the former Weston Mercury building in Waterloo Street – the newsroom where Jill Dando took her first steps into journalism as an 18-year-old after leaving Worle School.
The school is just a short distance away and the children have become part of the growing Good News Post’s ‘Good News Rooms’ movement, which encourages young people to become reporters and find positive stories in their schools and communities.
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The pupils were given a fascinating lesson in local history by Jill’s friend and twice former Mayor John Crockford-Hawley, who shared memories and stories about Jill and her early career.
John Crockford Hawley said:
"As a former teacher in secondary education I'm always moved by the wide-eyed enthusiasm of primary school children who show boundless joy in discovery.
“It was a pleasure showing these Walliscote pupils some of our Town Council treasures. Do come again!"
It followed the children’s involvement in the unveiling of a Blue Plaque celebrating Jill Dando at the former Weston Mercury newsroom in December, when Walliscote pupils proudly represented their school alongside other young reporters.
The plaque commemorates the place where Jill began her journalism career and recognises her contribution to British broadcasting and journalism.
Walliscote Primary headteacher Shelley Flanagan said the visit had been a wonderful opportunity.
The school itself reflects diversity of, with pupils and families representing 47 different languages.
The visit also highlighted the remarkable legacy of Jill Dando in Weston – with a new generation of young reporters now learning journalism in the same town where her own career began.
The Good News Rooms project was founded in 2011 and launched as Jill Dando News in 2016 in memory of Jill out of Worle School.
Headteacher Shelley Flanagan said:
“This was such a wonderful opportunity and experience for our young journalists!
“Thank you so much for showing us around and sharing such facinating local history!”
It gives children and young people aged four to 21 the opportunity to develop journalism, communication and confidence skills by reporting on positive stories from their schools, communities and charities.
The project is now expanding across the UK and beyond, with young reporters being encouraged to follow the “Jill Dando way” – telling stories with kindness, positivity, empathy and a genuine interest in people.
For the Walliscote pupils, their visit to the former Weston Mercury newsroom brought that story full circle – from where Jill Dando began her career to a new generation of young reporters finding their own voices.
For more information about Good News Rooms, visit www.goodnewspost.co.uk or email pippa@goodnewspost.co.uk
