Notes and thoughts from #tal13: Keeping the hyperlocal mojo, hyperlocal social media usage and loving where you live

So I braved the Travelodge in Middlesbrough (once again) for the latest round of debate with hyperlocal site owners and local community sites at the Talk About Local event #tal13.

The day ranged from trying to rediscover your blogging mojo, to best tips for using Facebook and Twitter, how traditional media can work with hyperlocal sites and finally what does the growing usage of mobile internet and mobile consumption mean for hyperlocal sites?

Held in the impressive surroundings of MIMA, the beauty of unconferences (you pitch sessions and stick them on a big board which the organisers then shuffle about so inevitably all the ones you want to see happen at the same time 😉 is the range of speakers/sessions is always so varied.

A timely reminder of why we need a vibrant local and hyperlocal media online…

Preston’s Bus Station, threatened with demolition, is now a grade II listed building

The decision to grant Preston Bus Station listed status probably isn’t of interest to many outside of Preston and its immediate area, and of course architectural nerds.

But it did show up why it’s vital we have a vibrant local and hyperlocal media, because we can’t rely on the BBC to keep us updated on what’s happening in one of Lancashire’s largest cities.

Real Freedom of Information? The public services opening up their work on the frontline

Although we are reducing our attendance its still busy so please avoid Linton St pic.twitter.com/0daXCQamke

— Shaun Walton (@StnMgr_Preston) September 4, 2013

As journalists we read and do a lot about Freedom of Information.

Mostly FOI seems to involve lots of dusty reports, putting out/searching through spreadsheets and finding parts of an act of government which can be used either for or against divulging information.

But the use of Twitter by a station manager at Preston fire station got me thinking. Is this real Freedom of Information?