Ben Clatworthy's Blog

Ben Clatworthy, journalist/writer

So, why on earth am I writing one?

Mainly because people have told me I should as my past ones have occasionally been interesting. Those ones though were only for a few days at a time as I mundanely went skiing in Meribel or the week when I headed to 3800 meters ski race training last October.

The real reason I’m doing it though is the challenge of making an interesting and readable one.

If you are with me at the end of it all I’ll buy you a drink or two.

After all if I can’t find interesting things to write about and comment on then I should probably stop considering myself a journalist/writer. If it turns out a dire mess with nothing but rubbish I will pack it in I’m sure.

So, Hello, this is it. My new venture, my personal blog. The idea to give people something to read that covers everything and anything that will interest you, not just a select few people.

As the BBC’s James Cove told me as I set out on my ski race one last year, many blogs are only interesting to, the writer, their family and a few select friends. That said hopefully this one won’t fall into any of the those categories.

It’s been a busy few weeks, firstly reporting on BBC Points West in May about disabled education in Bristol and then last week a quick chat with BBC Radio 4’s ‘The Media Show’ which is broadcast every Wednesday. I’ll keep you posted as to whether I will be appearing on that in the coming weeks.

I’ve just been asked to do an interview for a new outdoor adventure website with this amazing disabled lady named Karen Darke, who became paralysed in a rock-climbing accident on Aberdeen sea cliffs. Since then Karen has built herself back to full strength (if not stronger) and since pursued alternative ways to access the wilderness canoeing, skiing, and hand-cycling.

Karen Darke

Karen has undertaken some truly amazing challenges in the past few years and has even written a book, done hundreds of speaking events and made several TV appearances. Most recently on BBC Scotland.

I shan’t tell you anymore about Karen until after the interview which I will be doing in a few weeks.

And finally, I am the studio guest for ‘The Harriet Robinson Show’ on Bristol Community, 93.2 FM this coming Monday (15 June 2009) at 17.00 PM. So without wanting to give anything away there will be another blog post on Monday with a few thoughts on what I am going to be talking about so do check back then to find out.

More at www.benclatworthy.com