The Lord Mayor's new trousers

Props to the Leicester Mercury this morning for what has to be one of the best deadpan standfirsts in the history of local newspapers.

The Lord Mayor of Leicester has offered his "deepest apologies" after his trousers fell down at an educational event for schoolchildren.

We defy you not to want to read more...

Sub-standard subs strike again

If FleetStreetBlues wasn't a good Catholic blog, we'd probably be flagging up this spectacularly ill-advised choice of cover design.

But instead, we'll just have to content ourselves with the below effort, which we're reliably informed by a reader appeared above a rather strident leader on page 8 of yesterday's European edition of the Financial Times.

What's going on? Did they not learn from the cautionary tale which is the Bedford Times & Citizen? Those headlines don't write themselves you know...

The silly season comes early

There's a lot going on at the moment - paywalls, new Government, the World Cup - so it's not an ideal time to be taking another holiday. But mainly for one of the reasons above, we're going to be scaling back FleetStreetBlues for the next few weeks. Clue: it's not the Times' paywall.

We'll still be writing occasionally (and replying to the emails we need to reply to - sorry about that) but this is really your chance to get involved. Just as in August, when any workie with a half-decent court case or well-timed survey can secure a page lead, this is your chance if you want to write for us.

You can write about pretty much anything you want loosely connected to journalism - why you want to be a journalist, why you can't wait to stop being one, 'the future of journalism' or simply why you wish the world's PRs would disappear into a big black hole. Email us at fleetstreetblues@hotmail.co.uk - and think of it as the silly season come early.

Normal service will be resumed on MONDAY 12 JULY, the day after England Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Portugal or the Ivory Coast lift the trophy in Johannesburg.

News Editor - Hertfordshire Mercury

The Hertfordshire Mercury, which bills itself a little underwhelmingly as the 'top paid-for weekly newspaper in the county', is looking for a news editor.

The ad's a bit short on detail, but in addition to the usual requirements for a news editor - excellent news sense, good time management and the ability to give an out-of-line PR a severe dressing-down - they do specify 'proven managerial experience'. You'll also be heading up the online news offering as well.

To receive an application pack, email nicole.want@hertsessexnews.co.uk. Deadline Wednesday 16 June.

The invasion of Cumbria

Four days on, and it's still the lead story.

Understandably, the Cumbrian shootings have dominated the headlines since Wednesday, but we're running out of things to say. Yesterday, ITN led on a holiday video from two years ago showing Derrick Bird's 'chilling normality'. And the package which just led the BBC 10 O'Clock News was frankly a little embarrassing.

A public rememberance service, with mourners ringed by journalists. Three separate vicars attempting to explain the inexplicable. And a paparazzi in full shot crawling around a churchyard for the perfect angle as the statement from Derrick Bird's sons was read out.

Time to go home.

Epic front page fail

So, we've all been stuck for inspiration when it comes to writing the killer splash headline. But still... Subbing cutbacks have clearly reached epic proportions at Bedford's Times & Citizen.

(Spotted via @citizenBB and @MissCay)

News Editor - South Wales Evening Post

If you're based, er, west of the border (do people say that?) then this is a decent opportunity - the South Wales Evening Post, based in Swansea, is looking for a news editor.

You'll need to have a good track record on a daily or a large weekly, and have experience of leading others, juggling deadlines and coming up with some cracking exclusives. NCTJ-qualified candidates 'preferred'.

To get an application form, email (and send your CV to) assistant editor Cathy Duncan at cathy.duncan@swwmedia.co.uk. Deadline Friday 18 June.

Home Office press office fail

So with it all kicking off in Cumbria yesterday, lots of journalists were putting in calls to the Home Office about gun control. ITV News political correspondent Lucy Manning was less than impressed by the response:

Memo to Government PRs. Your bosses are desperately looking for ways to reduce public spending - and journalists will be making them justify every penny spent. At last count, the Home Office press office employed 43 press officers, 28 'communications officers' and 99 other staff at a total cost of almost £8 million. Now would be a good time to start being helpful.

It shouldn't happen to a broadcast journalist

... but if you're a Sky News type working a pro-Palestinian demo, it's probably an occupational hazard.

(Spotted via the Broadcast Journalism blog)

Sub Editor - Jewish Chronicle

The Jewish Chronicle is hiring a part-time sub, to work shifts one or two days a week.

You'll need to be 'thoroughly familiar' with Televisual and InDesign, and a 'good working knowledge of the Jewish world' is 'helpful, though not mandatory'.

Full details on Gorkana, not directly linkable. Apply with CV and covering letter to managing editor Richard Burton at richardburton@thejc.com.

Poll: Did the David Laws story serve the public interest?

The BBC College of Journalism has a thoughtful roundup of reaction to the Daily Telegraph's latest political scalping. Despite the universal praise heaped on the MPs' expenses investigation, the David Laws splash has divided many on Fleet Street.

Roy Greenslade and the Independent's media columnist Stephen Glover are adamant the Telegraph's story was absolutely in the public interest. Elsewhere in the Guardian though, another Glover - Julian - is less convinced, while Michael White argues the press has lost the plot.

And FleetStreetBlues? Well, it's hard to argue with the validity of the scoop. And if David Laws' secret relationship had been heterosexual, we suspect the backlash would have been much less. But our objection to the story is if anything more out of a sense of professional pride. Seriously guys, isn't bashing MPs for expenses a bit 2009? A little, well, easy...?

Either way, it's a point of contention - and we want to hear from you. Let us know what you think in the poll at the top right.

Reporter - Northampton Chronicle & Echo

The Northampton Chronicle & Echo, a daily covering what is apparently 'Britain's largest town', is hiring a senior reporter.

You'll need to have passed your NCE - there's no specific mention of experience on a weekly or a driving licence, but we'd imagine both would help.

Apply with CV and covering letter to the editor, David Summers, at david.summers@northantsnews.co.uk. Deadline Wednesday 9 June.