Hello! Thanks for stopping by to find out more about me.
So who am I and what do I do?
Who am I?
I’m Mike, I live in Turriff which is in Aberdeenshire, I was made in Manchester but have been around a bit before I landed here in Turriff. I’m a Manchester City fan and have been for over 40 years (no glory hunting here). I have an eclectic choice in music and I enjoy craft beer.
What do I do?
During the day I work on the fringes of criminal justice. Away from this, I work with WordPress sites, I volunteer with the RNLI and I am currently the chairman of my local Community Council.
Criminal Justice
I work for a large public body on the edges of the criminal justice system.
WordPress
I have been a WordPress user since 2004 and have used the platform to develop many different types of sites over the years. I still build websites using WordPress, but most of my work now is providing WordPress management services through my WP Site Manager business.
RNLI
I volunteer with the RNLI at Macduff lifeboat station, where I am the Lifeboat Press Officer, Community Safety Officer and a member of the shore crew.
Community Council
I am a community councillor with Turriff and District Community Council. In 2018 I was re-elected to the community council for a three-year term. I currently hold the position Chairman.
Citizen Journalism and #hyperlocal
I’ve been a citizen journalist since 2009 when I cut my teeth running a local website that scrutinised the political machinations of the administration of Stoke-on-Trent City Council. From there I joined Talk About Local where I used my experience to help communities across the UK use the many free to use publishing tools that were available. I helped to set up websites that were used to hold power to account, fill in the gaps where local papers had closed and to provide new types of community engagement.
I have spoken widely about Citizen Journalism and the benefits of Hyperlocal websites at conferences and events.
I am a board member of the Independent Community News Network which is facilitated by Centre For Community Journalism, at Cardiff University.
