9 questions with our new reporter India

This week we are welcoming our new reporter India Wentworth.
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A newly-qualified NCTJ journalist, India is joining the Eastbourne Herald team and will be focused on reporting breaking news and the issues which matter in our community.

We sent her a few questions so our readers can get to know a bit more about her.

Hi India! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

India Wentworth is our new reporterIndia Wentworth is our new reporter
India Wentworth is our new reporter
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I’m 22-years-old and originally from York. I grew up on a farm in the countryside, with two younger brothers.

I’ve danced since I was three, and that’s a hobby I keep up with now, I’ve just joined Eastbourne Dance Space so take classes there once a week.

I love travelling, and so far I’ve done parts of America and Africa on my own.

I also recently got into running, and was set to do a half marathon this year but covid disrupted things, so that will have to be next year.

India is a bit of a 'shepherdess', looking after lambs at her family's farmIndia is a bit of a 'shepherdess', looking after lambs at her family's farm
India is a bit of a 'shepherdess', looking after lambs at her family's farm
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Why did you want to get into journalism? And what is your favourite thing about being a reporter?

I worked out when I was about 15 that I wanted to go into journalism. The variation and pace of the job were what made me want to go into it in the first place. I loved the fact it was a mix of being in an office and out and about speaking to people.

Each day is different because stories change, and you have to keep up with it through constant deadlines.

I’m only a week in but that pace and variation I always wanted has already been a huge part of this job – and is exactly why I love it already.

What are your qualifications?

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English had always been my favourite subject at school, so it seemed like the natural decision to do it at university.

About half-way through second year I decided I’d do my NCTJ journalism qualification through distance learning rather than a Masters.

After graduating I worked and travelled until November, and then worked alongside my journalism studies until July.

I achieved 100wpm in shorthand, and got A-Bs in all my exams. The modules I took were: essential journalism, media law, ethics, video journalism, production journalism, broadcast regulations, and public affairs.

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So I now have my trainee journalism qualification, and will take my final NQJ exams (making me a senior reporter) in two years.

Are you settling in at your new home in Eastbourne? And what do you like about living here?

Yes! I’m living in a house share with five others, three of which are in their twenties, so I have people a similar age to me which is really nice.

The working week goes so fast because I have something on every night after work, whether that is the gym or dance – so by the time I’m back from that and I’ve eaten, it’s already 9pm.

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I’m still getting my bearings when it comes to the weekend – I’m not used to having two days off as I always used to work weekends, so this is something I’m getting used it.

I love living by the sea – it’s definitely a novelty for me! Plus, everything is within walking distance, which I’m really not used to.

The commute to London makes it easy to meet up with friends from elsewhere too, a definite advantage of living here.

What kind of stories are you looking forward to working on?

I love working on softer news like community stories and entertainment but getting to grips with harder news is something I am excited for.

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Writing on really important issues and incidents that have happened is something I want to get much more experience with because I think that is when journalism is its most powerful and important.

What was lockdown like for you?

Lockdown was actually great for me. I was furloughed from my job at a restaurant, which gave me more time for exam preparation. Before, I was studying for about six hours a day, and then going to work a five-hour shift – furlough meant I suddenly had my evenings and weekends free!

This meant that I could study more through the week, and relax over the evenings and weekends. Of course, I wasn’t out and about socialising, but it gave me chance to spend more time with family which was definitely a good thing seeing as they’re now 300 miles away!

Lockdown caused exams to become remote, which actually meant I was saving money on travelling to sit them, and it was less stressful by having them in my bedroom too.

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Finally, can you tell us a random or funny fact about yourself?

As I grew up on a farm, I have always helped with the lambing season, so something very random about me is that I’m quite the shepherdess – I can deliver lambs! I have dealt with all sorts of complicated births, usually in the middle of the night when you’re heavily sleep deprived and completely alone!

A cool fact would be that I’ve done two skydives, and rafted on the Zambezi river!

Got a story? Email India at [email protected]