You can buy me for Children in Need (From This Is Local London)

You can buy me for Children in Need

1:22pm Friday 20th November 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(1)

I AM frequently asked how I come up with something new to write about each week in this column after more than 14 years.

The answer is that usually something has happened in the news or to me or one of my friends during the week that provokes a burning desire to get it off my chest. Occasionally though, I must admit, I do sit and gaze at the blank computer screen as the deadline draws inexorably closer. Thus far, something has always sprung to mind at the last minute before I get a call asking where the blazes my copy is.

One thing that never occurred to me until today is the notion of inviting you, dear reader, to choose the topic for me. This week being Children in Need week, I thought the time had come to do just that.

I have been involved in Children in Need in past years in various ways that usually involved donning the old Dr Who costume again and supporting other people’s fundraising efforts.

But this time I thought I’d get you to support mine. Our revered and wise editor (Praise him, oh reader, praise him!) has consented to allow me to offer the subject of my column in two weeks time to be chosen by the highest bidder of a donation to Children in Need, received by this newspaper by the end of next week. I can already imagine some ne’erdowells of my acquaintance trying to come up with embarrassing, libellous or simply unspeakable subjects – so there are basic ground rules. For those of you who, like me, enjoy Radio 5’s Saturday morning programme Fighting Talk, I won’t, I’m afraid, ‘defend the indefensible’ by, say, writing that I want ‘Wycombe Wanderers to be relegated’ or the ‘Swan Theatre to be turned into an abattoir’. But subject to that and the editor’s approval, I will endeavour to write about any topic the winner may choose. If, at the same time as putting me on the spot, you would like to help this very worthwhile charity (and just watch the spots in between the entertainment on the night to be convinced of that) call in your bid and the topic you would like me to write about to Andy Carswell at the Bucks Free Press on 01494-755084. Or email him at acarswell@london.newsquest.co.uk

And then watch this space…. What have I done?