Smoke Stop

Why hasn't Mugabe banned us from Zimbabwe?

I'M a tad disappointed that the Midweek Herald has not been banned from Zimbabwe.

Although the newspaper is only distributed in East Devon and West Dorset, it does cover the affairs of all those in the patch - including people who have been jailed by bogus president Robert Mugabe. His regime has banned the BBC.

The Reverend Merfyn Temple, a retired Methodist minister from Honiton, was imprisoned for speaking out about Mugabe's tyranny in 2005. At the time, Mr Temple was 86 years old.

Although now 89, he is one of the most informed and impassioned local voices on the present day crisis in Zimbabwe.

Mr Temple wants Mugabe to face trial at The Hague - for crimes against his own people.

We have reported Mr Temple's views. We are unable to access Mr Mugabe for a reply.

When I agonised over my page 2 report of Mr Temple's imprisonment, a colleague quipped: "The Midweek Herald will be banned from Zimbabwe."

Everyone in the newsroom laughed.

Suddenly, I recalled the recent case of a Worksop man (Entwistle) convicted of double murder in America. To ensure non-biased reporting, the small weekly newspaper in Worksop sent a reporter to America to cover the trial. Honest!

As I read the reporter's daily web reports and admired her video clips, including one of a fire engine racing up to the court steps following an alarm sound, I could see myself there. I could envisage the Midweek Herald crossing borders of such magnitude that maybe a camel should be placed on order.

Then it hit me - I haven't got a passport!

Any unlikely foreign assignment would have to go to my Axe Valley reporter, Angela Brennan, who could fly off at a moment's notice. (She's just raced into the newsroom after two days in Germany.)

I rarely venture past Cribbs Causeway, you see. I know practically every street across the West Country - in case I'm ever called upon to cover them as a reporter - but the wider world is unfamiliar territory. I holiday every year, with no complaints, at The Toorak Hotel in Torquay. Occasionally, I venture as far as The Rembrant in Weymouth. (I've got a cat, so I can't go too far.)

Up until last Thursday, I thought my lack of travel could be viewed as a form of ignorance. I'm feeling more upbeat about my preferred stomping grounds - thanks to a captain of industry.

I spent last Thursday afternoon with the managing director of a world-renowned factory. Although his business falls slightly outside the Midweek Herald's patch, he specifically approached me to talk about a matter dear to his heart.

During our meeting, he revealed he lives in Midweek territory. We picked over last week's paper together and, obviously, came across the page 2 story about Mr Temple's imprisonment.

I told the businessman about the office joke and admitted my great failing of not owning a passport.

He replied: "Do you know, I'm a bit like you? I rarely travel past Bristol."

How's that for solidarity? An international businessman preferring to stay 'local'!

The Midweek Herald doesn't venture much past the Devon border with Somerset.

What if the Herald WAS banned from Zimbabwe? What could I say in response?

Probably loads, because that's ME.

Meanwhile, it would be great to do a telephone interview with Mr Mugabe!