Sitting here at my computer this morning as much as I would like to be saying that things are all well for me and my family but I can not. As great as it was to see so much positive support part of me just wants to close the web site, take long holiday and seek out a new project or challenge.
This morning emails began to arrive from organisations that, understandably, as a result of yesterday’s articles in the Hull Daily Mail have explained with regret they can no longer allow me to work with them or promote them on HU17.net which arguably is harder to take then anything else that has happened. Anyone who knows me personally will know the effort which has gone into HU17.net and right now it feels like it is imploding on me.
Last night I was contacted by telephone by Angus of the Hull Daily Mail for a quote on how I felt about the reaction to their story and the comments left on both web sites. Given all that has gone his organisation were the last people on earth I wanted to talk to and having read the paper again this morning a seeing the quotes the choice of words and placement of them on page is still very hurtful to me indeed.
At no point did I agree to make a web site for the ‘client’ that was created by the HDM all that was agreed was a meeting where I would be able to asses the situation. On the tape I have of the actual interview the reporter acknowledges this though the paper continues to report that I agreed to build a web site for an escort.
HU17.net is a non commercial web site, companies are listed with out cost and there are no adverts or advertising revenue. It is true I have made some revenue through the sales of pictures and from calendars which I made for a number of football teams in the area though my in the main this project has been funded from my own pocket.
On my job list I have two web sites to create for customers, both of these are related to the wedding trade but at this very moment in time I do not feel creative. Today I will have to contact these customers and there is a strong possibility I will loose this work given the events of the past day or so which will just add to the pressures I am currently under.
Overall I am gutted, yet every instinct I have, my family and close friends are telling me to pull myself together and to fight. But seriously how does one man take on a national company that employees thousands of people, and whom seem intent on making it impossible for me to succeed?
My father would be telling me not quit, although he is not with now I can hear him telling me not to throw in the towel but to pick up the camera and get back out there and do what I do best, interact with other people. Every minute that goes by which I am not out there is slowly distancing me further from the real stars of HU17.net, the people of Beverley.
I would personally like to thank everyone for their comments; I would also like to express my gratitude to the many people who I have not even met who have taken the time to phone me. I guess the way I can repay those people is to dust myself down and get ‘back on the horse’ so to speak.
When things go wrong as they sometimes will;
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill;
When the funds are low, and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but have to sigh;
When care is pressing you down a bit –
Rest if you must, but do not quit.
Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you can never tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things go wrong that you must not quit.
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Stick with it mate. The HDM look absoutely ridiculous. You will have the last laugh.
Do not let the small minded Hull Daily mail reporters grind you down, as for those who are withdrawing work from you, they are being rather silly.
Persoanlly I would be loking to sue HDM as they have in the short term it seems caused you not only stress but hardship as well as losing some business it seems.
Firstly Don’t let them get to you!
I was alerted to the story by the story in The Register. I’m totally disgusted with the HDM I’ve read all the stories, and it’s just vile. I don’t live in the area, but please keep going or site seems excellent.
Anyone not happy with any of this HDM bullying – Press Complaints office number is 0845 600 2757
Paul get a solicitor on board now and make them pay for this.
Mate don’t quit, what they’ve done to you is rediculous, the article is being internationally rediculed, there are hundreds if not thousands of people putting in complaints to the PCC, there are even people getting lists of advertisers from the HDM and contacting every company in it order to get them to boycott the publication(I’ve split the work with a mate of mine).
Paul I don’t even know you but today’s story coupled with yesterday has enraged me enough to try help a man i’ve never met with a cause that will make no difference to my daily life. Really stick with it and I think you’ll find they will quite literally be made to eat their words
Hey it’s Lottie, just so you know I’ve heard rumours of a protest outside the Hull Daily Mail offices today. Wouldn’t worry, everyone’s still supportive at school.
It’s ironic that the HDM carry ads for massage parlours and escorts regularly.
Whilst I can understand you feeling very low about all of this at the end of the day you’re getting a load of publicity and you come across as a genuine guy.
You can’t change what’s happened so channel your energy/frustration in capitalising on this exposure. Get some Adsense on your site, create articles out of the comments and/or emails of support.
Chin up.
Paul, I would highly recommend you obtain solicitors advice regarding the article and the way it has portrayed you.
As of now, not only am I not buying the rag (sic) HDM and encouraging everyone else I know to boycott also, I will be encouraging everyone not to read the online version to stop them from receiving advertising revenue from that version.
Keep with it Paul and I’m sure you’ll find inspiration again soon.
Paul – You’ve generated such support for HU17.net and those supporters are now fighting your case with you! Just look at the support over on Twitter at #hyperlocal #hu17 #hulldailyfail and other hashtags
jornalism.co.uk have covered the story http://blogs.journalism.co.uk/editors/2010/03/05/hull-daily-mail-publishes-update-in-investigation-linked-to-rival-website/
journopig has countered the innuendos at http://journopig.com/2010/03/04/local-paper-v-hyperlocal-how-the-hull-daily-mail-lost-the-plot/
And the Mail’s own site has gone ballistic with messages of support for you!
Mate – You’re on to a winner! …. And look at this, the Hull Mail group Northcliffe Media will probably be looking to create a Beverley site. http://www.journalism.co.uk/2/articles/534339.php Don’t step aside mate and make it easy for them!
Ray
Hedon Blog
Agree with the other comments here Paul. My advice to you would be that any other organisations looking to leave, ask them if they will continue to deal with the HDM, who constantly publish call girls adverts and the like.
The whole organisation is disgusting in my view.
Chin up mate, don’t let them win. The weight of public opinion is behind you. Theres more than 400 comments across their news stories about you and literally 5 are in favor of the HDM.
All the best mate and good luck!
Paul
Its a complete non story.Your web building business was completely above board and legal.Just because it was in the adult industry doesn’t make you a ‘bad’ person. How HIPPOCRITICAL of the HDM to publish such a vindictive double page spread on such a matter when they have columns of adult industry adverts in their paper everyday.Unbelievable hippocracy.I hope you find the strength to carry on with HU17.net at this testing time.Yes, it’s hard to fight when you’ve been kicked so hard, but don’t let the big boys/bullies/hippocrits/deceivers/mountain out of a mole hill makers, or whatever you want to call them , get you down. Keep up the the great work you’re doing with HU17.net to inform and photograph the people of Beverley.
Jon
Your dad is right Paul! DO NOT QUIT!
We are one million percent behind you – teach these people how you wish to be treated and it is with RESPECT! We have been inundated with text messages/emails/Facebook messages of support for you from our young people. Together we are all working towards making this community a better place to live in and we need YOUR help!
Paul ,pick youself up,dust yourself down and get back to what you do best. EVERYONE is right behind you !The HDM are a bunch of idiots.
I don’t live in the village, but I wish I did. The way you are getting support all over the internet and the complaints that I have seen on the paper’s website, you sound like a nice guy and the forums that I visit are all for you as well.
What get’s me is that is so called story is a total non-starter. What this paper forgets that it has Escort Agencies and Massage Parlours printed in it’s paper and also the parent company for this rag also runs a soft porn company. They don’t like the competition that you gave them and the paper doesn’t like it.
Keep your chin up, dust yourself down and get a solicitor involved. I would then go to the PCC put a complaint in and sue their arses off.
When it’s found out that it’s been a hatchet job that they have done on you. I would tell them that I would only like a full front page apology.
Don’t let these bastards grind you down (sorry about the language).
Paul,
you don’t know me but you have my full support. Do not let the HDM win. They have advertised escorts and porn lines for years and it’s sheer hypocrisy. As for the ERYC, well the less said about their dealings the better.
My son plays in junior league football and hu17.net has been a great way for us to see photos etc..
Please don’t give up. Play them at their own game…you know who owns the HDM overall and how he made his money?
They don’t have a leg to stand on. Listen to what your old dad would have said.
Best wishes
Kate
The HDM has done this to every rival it’s encountered over the past 20 years to my knowledge as it seeks to ensure its monopoly. The Hull Star, the BBC, KCFM, the Holderness Gazette and countless “local news” and at least three websites have all come under some sort of attack from time to time, as have Student Magazines, Listing Magazines etc. They need to maintain their monopoly to survive.
In this case they style of story rather than the substance of it is enough to scare the blue rinse brigade and the people like Stephen Parnaby who associate with them.
Just remember that that lot are a yesterday’s men. Like newspapers are becoming yesterday’s media.
My advice is not to fight it. You’ll just prolong the whole saga as they examine your responses and scrutinise things until they find some sort of negative spin.
A simple “So what?” would be enough.
Starve them of substance and they go away. The HDM isn’t noted for hard-working journalism. Make it hard for them to fill their columns with this drivel and they’ll move on to the next big story – probably a huge issue like dog mess on Anlaby Road, whatever requires the minimum effort.
I am neither from this town or UK but I got to say..
What the HDM did is disgusting attack on your person.
Dont quit but rather show that they are not the only ones who can bite.
Best via solicitor and add extra charges on top for loss in business value (due to lost contracts and possible future ones) and for possible personal damages. The article they have publishes is on edge of public publishment of false fact and I do believe there is a law for that.
Stay strong!
All the best to you,
Daniel
Hang on in there, dude!
Your story is going global, and support for you is overwhelming. Just read through the comments on the HDM pages; massive positive feelings for you and deprecation of their ridiculous smear….
Just wanted to say how angry I am at what has happened.
I live in Hull and have had personal experience of the low level to which this paper and it’s employees will stoop; I stopped buying it many years ago as a result. It is quite happy to discredit local businesses and people in order to manufacture sensationalist headlines.
I would like to think that this latest outrage is simply a sign it is in serious decline, and is desperately trying to earn a few more grubby pounds by discrediting someone who provides a more beneficial service than theirs. Unfortunately, as usual, the people that run this thing give no thought as to the effect their actions have on the lives of the community they are supposed to serve.
I sincerely hope you do not give up Paul. I know it is hard, and you are bound to feel drained and dejected, but what you do is worthwhile and provides a real benefit to the community in which you live.
Don’t give it up Paul. You’ve got loads of support and the HDM are just showing themselves up for what they are.
150 plus now confirmed for a peaceful protest outside the HDM tomorrow morning at 11am. Bring banners. We’re calling for these idiots to issue a public apology to Paul – printed on the front page of course.
There’s an old saying that if you sup with the devil you should use a long spoon. Either Mr Smith is incredibly naive or he thinks we are. He protestations of innocence has all the resonance of a schoolboy who has been caught red-handed. He is a director of Smiths Media Solutions, he makes money from this business; he must, therefore, take the rough with the smooth. It must be no surprise that his customers are taking their business elsewhere once they have found out exactly what company they were keeping. Hypocrisy? Maybe, but it’s also self-interest.
Paul, I have only become aware of this website because of the eruption of this story…and I’m really glad I have now had a chance to see your excellent work.
I am a reporter working elsewhere in the country and I am appalled by the methods of the HDM. This story is a disgrace to Journalism and it’s no wonder that even local reporters are, as a general rule, not trusted or respected.
Keep your chin up.
“todays news tomorrows chip paper” as they say, ok they’ve dragged it on another day but I’m sure thats how it will pan out. I know its hard but enjoy the attention. I read the HDM site most days, normally the comments left are overrun by people with pitchforks at the ready, but the support for you on there has been outstanding, what the HDM have done is appalling journalism.
William – it’s ‘protestations have’ not has – plural – and the rest of what you write is a load of tosh too!
You must be encouraged by the amount of support you are receiving. A few years ago, you would have been bullied into oblivion by the HDM as they seek to dominate local news and advertising.
However, the advent of the internet has started to level the playing field. Look at Twitter and Iran, Facebook and Rage Against the Machine; I’m going from the sublime to the ridiculous there, but they are both examples of ordinary people coming together and standing up against a domineering seemingly unchallengeable force.
The HDM thought that they could bully you and blacken your name with impunity. For a media organisation they have shown a remarkable level naivety and they are now being ridiculed by nationally prominent media commentators. They look to be losing a huge amount of respect locally, too.
Take the advice given here: get legal support and don’t be cowed by this pathetic local rag. In fact, you may not have to do much of the fighting yourself…
Good luck. Keep going.
If this story had not surfaced I would not yet have discovered HD17. How many more like me are out there Paul?
Your ‘lost’ customers will see the increase in your traffic and be back very soon, if they have good business sense.
If you’re up for hitting the Hull Daily Mail where it hurts, then pledge your support to boycott the paper until they issue a prominent apology for their muck-raking:
http://pledgebank.com/boycottHDM
The HDM has scored a major own goal. Head up and carry on with the great job you’re doing. I hope all the local businesses of Beverley back you by advertising on your website. And that the people of Beverley then respond by supporting these local advertisers.
There’s a reason that the local rag is nicknamed the Dull Daily Fail …
Nice website. 🙂
Don’t let trashy that trashy paper get you down. Tabloids do this to all the celebrities – it’s like you’re a part of that club now.
All the best.
Paul, chin up, don’t let the HDM losers get to you. You have the support of the majority.
Steve.
I really wouldn’t give up, jusy by plugging away as normal you win. The publicity might even be good for business – you’ve just got a shedload of free national advertising and a whole lot of support and goodwill. Of course, you could give Max Clifford a ring 😉
paul, ur doing a grand job, dont let them grind u down, head up, 100% of people i have spoken to are with u on this, HDM are just making them selves look so stupid and unprofessional.
Plenty of games at longcroft, including mine, driffield belles v tickton ladies – hope to see u there with your camera! dont give up. You report the regions sport much better than anyone else in the area. big smile! 🙂
Paul,
There is much to be said about this disgraceful incident, but I am probably not allowed to go too far on a public forum. One of the consequences though is that I (and many others) have been directed to the HU17 site. As a fellow Beverlonian I think it’s a superb website, a credit to you and to the town. Keep up the great work – HU17 is the future of local journalism and the huge public support you’ve recieved in the last 24 hrs only serves to endorse what you are doing. Whatever you do, do not give up!
Kind regards,
Paul
What a complete Crock! Keep at it Paul. You’ve done nothing to be ashamed of, and quite a lot to be proud of.
Keep on keeping on.
Just removed HDM from favourites and replaced with HU17.
Tell you what folks,
email the Mayor, and the other councillors in Beverley.
http://www.beverley.gov.uk/Contents/Text/Index.asp?SiteId=476&SiteExtra=19749316&TopNavId=426&NavSideId=5399
Let them know where you stand.
Great website Paul i’d never seen it before!
I just have one question: If you have not got anything to hide why did you take al your porn sites down after you spoke to the Hull Daily Mail? What are you trying to hide?
Illegitimi non carborundum.
Sue the f******, they knew exactly what there were doing when writing this sort of sensationalist gutter press garbage, ask the register to post something requesting legal advice, i guarantee you’ll be flooded by offers of assistance.
At the same time, be thankful for the Streisand effect.
No one deserves such a callous attack.
Keep on and the support of decent folk will see you through.
Bizarrely, the moderators over at http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/ don’t want to post my message about the campaign to boycott their newspaper. Ne’er mind, I’ll just post again here instead!
http://www.pledgebank.com/boycottHDM
As an ex employee of the mail I feel that a lot of the critism they receive is unfounded BUT in this instance I think they should be ashamed of themselves. It’s disgraceful.
You have an excellent site Paul and I implore you to keep it running. It was no secret at the mail that their Beverley local site was a flop. Please don’t let them win be giving up.
You must be going through hell but it will blow over and it’s The Mail who will be damaged most by this. Stick with it because this site provides a valuable service to the local community. I don’t known single person who isn’t on your side and despite some companies turning against you, the vast majority see this story for what it is. A underhand attempt to discredit a rival.
Keep your chin up.
David Bourn is the deputy editor of the Hull Daily Mail.
I wonder if David Bourn has a shady past? Thanks to Google, you can find a hushed-up story about why he had to resign from a Norwich paper.
The phrase “assault on a woman” appears in what I found. I find the sight of a man hitting a woman to be utterly cowardly and disgusting.
bit.ly/david-bourne-assault-accusation
Digital karma.
you said it best yourself mate keep with it! you have a strong case for defamation of character and libel against the hull daily mail you should fight it cause you’d win!!
don’t let those disgusting scumbags who are trying to pass this off as journalism upset you as anyone with a sound supports you 100%
Paul
I am a journalist and worked at the HDM briefly earlier in my career. Over the years I have kept an eye on developments at the paper. Obviously their reporting is always up and down, but this incident clearly marks a new low.
I can understand why the HDM would feel threatened by your fantastic local site and I know why they have run the story that they did, but they have clearly made a terrible mistake that will come back to haunt them over the years.
I would strongly advise you to seek some legal advice and seek an apology from that creepy egomaniac Meehan. They have gone too far this time and as you already see the people of East Yorkshire are behind you.
Chin up and best wishes.
Hi Paul, Don’t give up. I can only imagine what you have been through in the last couple of days. The HDM attack on you and your family is the worst “journalism” I have ever come across. It seems to me that the whole article'(s) are a very poorly veiled attempt to shut down a great local website who competes with their own. I moved to Beverley 6 months ago when I got a job in Hull and the information on the HU17.net website really made me want to live here. It promotes the town in the best possible way and I hope Stephen Parnaby and the rest Councillors will now realise what HU17.Net means to the Residents of Beverley and the wider world.
Ady, Beverley Resident
Keep calm, and carry on.
HDM are totally out of order. Keep up the good work, the people are with you.
Have a look at this and perhaps HU17 supporters might want to make formal complaints? Press Complaints Commission Editors’ Code of Practice: http://www.pcc.org.uk/cop/practice.html
YOU CAN’T DO GOOD THINGS WITHOUT CREATING OPPOSITION
IT’S WHEN YOU HAVE ENEMIES THAT YOU ACTUALLY FEEL YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING GOOD, IN FACT YOUR ENEMIES HELP YOU PROGRESS
words of Yacouba Sawadogo, A pioneering African farmer
Keep going, don’t let them win. Like many I arrived here via The Register covering the story, so you’ve had plenty of indirect publicity, and looking at the comments on the Fail article, you have a lot more support than they do.
To those in the Beverley area, I’d say make a note of those people and businesses who are so narrow-minded that they’ve decided not to associate with hu17 because of this and avoid them.
This is just a cynical attempt by a 3rd rate “news” paper to get back at a site that is actually doing something worthwhile and useful for the community whilst they themselves can only regurgitate facts that are not and truths that are somewhat dubious. They are guuilty of being at the losing part of the modern technology and can only go down y fighting dirty. They deserve no repsect or support from the local populace or local businesses.
Keep up the good work and it is a fact that they ill go out of business whilst your web site will go from strenght to strength.
Paul,
I’ve been following this since The Register picked it up. Take this vicious attack from the HDM as a compliment – they’re very, very worried about your site as it is so much better than what they have. If you weren’t taking all their Beverley business they wouldn’t be coming after you.
From what I can see, you seem to have 99% of the town (and everywhere else for that matter) on your side.
Stick with it. Don’t ever the the bad guys win.
Reg reader Jp here. Hang in there dude!
Would just like to add another voice of support for you, Paul. Don’t let them get away it…
Paul, your website is amazing and it is probably one of the best things that you have given to the community. It brings local people together and it creates a real sense of community spirit in Beverley. Please don’t give up because we are all behind you.
looks like the HDMs comments are closed today someone frighten them off
It would also appear that David Bourne is a bully and a tyrant http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/news/2007/07july/070709jane.shtml
No wonder staff at the HDM are under pressure to bring out rubbish if this is the sort of people they have to work for.
I’m one of the people who came across the story via The Register, and I’m disgusted by the Hull Daily Mail’s actions on this. Stick with it man, this appears to be a) a damn good site, and b) well put together. A lot of people who wouldn’t have seen it otherwise now have.
Stick a little note up the top saying you’re available for design work.
I’m dropping a mail to the East Riding Council Leader mentioned in the HDM article, suggesting he might want to revisit his comments. Good luck man.
Please complain to the PCC. it offends my sense of justice that they can get away with it.
I have only just caught up with this story as I dont read HDM very much, I am disgusted at what they are trying to do to you, Take them to the cleaners, they deserve it……
P.S This is the first time I have visited this site, I live in Hull and will be now blocking HDM and adding this site to my favorites.
Good Luck Paul, Chin Up Matey
Paul,
I know you quite well mate,you are a likeable guy. Ever since you came to see me at my business to discuss your proposals for starting HU17.Net.You have done a great job for the town, its people and business.I am very dismayed with HDM.I know how desperate they are for adverts.Ok so you have done some dodgy porn sites, not what most people would have liked to have read about you but the HDM are certainly not angels either. As a lot of comments on here have said they advertise Contacts, Escorts etc.It is still the same industry and sex sells! That is all they can do.The next time they contact me for advertising space I won’t bother.I know their own site has been a flop.I paid into it to advertise for 4 weeks.A complete waste of money.I notice they do lots of freebies for their pals though aka..Paula Johns on Princes ave.Sick of seeing her face.Wonder if they are getting a big discount when the staff go in?I don’t see any adverts she has paid for!I have stopped buying the newspaper now since they have tried to close you down.Don’t give in matey.Pop by and I will give you some work.
Look at all these supporters! And me too! You can’t lose!
Give it to those jerks!
Let’s march on Blundell’s Corner!