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Thank you so much to the NCTJ #journalism students at Darlington College for compiling this lovely package on my forthcoming children's book, published with the support of the North East Autism Society, and the wonderful artistic talent of Jonathan Raiseborough. The response to today's launch has been amazing, with interest from national TV. soc.sh/3ynrNqPtBP

AS World Autism Awareness Week begins, children’s author Peter Barron explains how he came to employ the remarkable talents of an autistic teenager to illustrate his latest book.

AS a little boy, Jonathan Raiseborough was different. He didn’t quite fit in and found it hard to make friends. There were times when he was bullied.

When he reached primary school, Jonathan was finally diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum. Despite being confirmed as having a disability, the diagnosis came as a relief to his family in Darlington.

“It meant there was a reason for the challenges he was facing – at least we knew what we were dealing with,” explained his mum, Helen.

But, as is the case with so many autistic people, Jonathan wasn’t just different. He was special. He was born with a gift for art.

For as long as he can remember, Jonathan has been drawing. Inspired especially by the Roald Dahl books, he wanted to be a children’s illustrator, like Quentin Blake, the artist who created characters such as The Big Friendly Giant, Fantastic Mr Fox, and Matilda.

“I just loved the imagination behind the books and how the characters came to life through the pictures,” recalled Jonathan.

His love of drawing continued to grow and, now aged 18, he is busy with a foundation course in art at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington.

I first met Jonathan a year ago when I compered the Vibe Awards for young people in Darlington. His artistic skills were recognised and the citation mentioned his ambition to be an illustrator for children’s books.

Coincidentally, I was looking for an illustrator for my latest book, Snowdrop, The Spikeshuffler at the time. It’s a story inspired by a cutting taken from The Northern Echo, telling how a baby albino hedgehog had been taken to an animal sanctuary amid fears it would be killed by other animals because of its colour. In the book, Snowdrop overcomes prejudice in Merlin’s Meadow and ends up a hero.

After the awards ceremony, Jonathan and I had a chat and I sent him the manuscript for the new book. A few weeks later, he sent back the most beautiful illustrations, some of which are reproduced on this page. His talent was clear to see and I immediately knew I had my perfect illustrator.

Around the same time, I’d been helping the North East Autism Society (NEAS) to publicise an appeal to employers to make more use of the skills of people on the autism spectrum. Jonathan was a case in point and, when the charity’s chief executive, John Phillipson, saw his illustrations, he was also hugely impressed.

The result is that the North East Autism Society has agreed to fund publication of the book as a way of showcasing the talents of autistic people.

“Jonathan is a great example of someone on the autism spectrum who has wonderful, natural ability,” said John. “His ambition is to be a children’s illustrator and it is a joy for us to help make his dream come true and send out a message to employers everywhere to look beyond the label of autism.”

Jonathan’s dad Mark, also a talented artist, added: “I don’t think people realise what an asset autistic people can be and it’s absolutely brilliant that the book is going to be published. Jonathan has worked so hard in life to overcome his challenges and this is the best opportunity he could have been given. We’re just incredibly proud of him.”

Jonathan is putting the final touches to the illustrations and the book is due to be published in the autumn.

“I really identified with the main character, Snowdrop, because people on the autistic spectrum can feel different. They don’t quite fit but don’t understand why,” he said.

I think the story is very beautiful and I feel so lucky to have the chance to be involved. I just hope the illustrations will reflect that warmth and character and do the book justice.

“It’s a heart-warming story but it has a really powerful message – that it’s wrong to judge someone just because they’re different.”

In my book, Jonathan Raiseborough isn’t different. He’s definitely special.

Ever since I was three – that’s more than 50 years ago – I’ve been going to Redcar Racing. Days out at the races are the best memories I have of time spent with my dad who died a few years ago. I still have a suitcase full of racecards I collected.

I’m, therefore, thrilled that I’ll be working with the Redcar team this season to promote what’s happening at this cracking, friendly racecourse on the North-East coast. I’ll be previewing meetings, writing live reports on the action, and generally helping to make sure Redcar’s media profile is as high as possible. I’ll also be the race-day presenter at several meetings.

When I started out in journalism in 1980, one of my first jobs was as a tipster on the Scunthorpe Telegraph. I had to give three tips every weekend but, sadly, I was sacked after six weeks for failing to get one in the first three.

After a media career spanning 37 years, the last 17 as editor of The Northern Echo, I’m delighted to be back involved in one of my biggest passions. Significant investment has been made over the close season to improve the facilities at Redcar and with 18 meetings to come - starting on April 10 - it promises to be a great season.

I look forward to seeing you there...and I promise not to give any tips.

* The picture shows a photo-finish at Redcar in 1962 - the year I was born.

Delighted to have taken over the training of young Newsquest journalists, with the aim of getting them through their senior exams.

Really enjoyed spending the week teaching Newsquest trainee journalists, with the valuable help of former editors Mike Gilson & Fiona Phillips; former deputy editor Andy Brown, and journalist and NCTJ lecturer Sue Calvert.

Good luck to Stephanie Brawn, Lancashire Telegraph; Neil Athey, Lancashire Telegraph; Craig Richard, Epsom Guardian; Tom Dalby, Clacton and Frinton Gazette; Catherine Johnson, Braintree and Witham Times; Ben Goddard, Hereford Times; Anthony Lewis, Penarth Times. Great to meet you all.

Thank you, Missouri.

Chuffed to bits to be contacted by a school in Missouri, USA, where the children are enjoying my Monstrous Morals books. They've got all seven and are on with Nose-picking Nicholas Pickering at the moment.

"When's the next one due?" they want to know.

As soon as the illustrator gets his finger out - that's you Paul Wick.

The programme airs the hopes and fears of Europeans living in the region.

In case you missed it, this is the link to last night's Inside Out programme on BBC1, featuring my presenting debut.

WHEN I stepped down from the editorship of The Northern Echo after 17 years in the hot-seat last April, I wasn’t sure what would happen. I’d jumped out of an aeroplane without knowing for sure if the parachute would open. Peter Barron Media was launched, in partnership with my wife Heather, and I’m delighted to say that it has proved to be successful and enjoyable so far. It’s been a steep learning curve in many ways but we are indebted to lots of people for their support. We’ve been lucky to work with some great organisations on lots of interesting projects covering print journalism, digital journalism, radio and TV broadcasting, public relations, media lecturing, events presenting, media lecturing and children’s books. There are some exciting new developments already in the diary for 2017 so we’re looking forward to continuing the momentum. For now, our thanks to the following for their support in 2016: Newsquest Media Group; the BBC, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust; Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust; Durham County Council; Business Durham; Stockton Borough Council; Tees Active; Sam Turner and Sons; the North East Autism Society; Butterwick Hospice; Hurworth School; Barnard Castle School; Arkengarthdale Church of England School; Croft Church of England Primary School; Marske Primary School; County Durham Community Foundation; Durham Police; Middlesbrough College; Darlington College; Teesside University; Zizu’s Day Care, Learning Centre; Bon Coeur Fine Wines; Darlington Youth Service; French and Lamming Media; Mowden Rugby Club.

Happy New Year.

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Dip, dip hooray

IF you’re Christmas crackers enough to go for a swim in the icy North Sea on December 26, it’s worth having the Lord on your side.

Well done to everyone involved in today's Christmas carols concert in memory of Ali Brownlee at St Mary's Cathedral in Middlesbrough. Beautifully hosted by Neil Green and Amy Oakden. Music by Nunthorpe Primary Topline Performing Arts Group, the Dalesmen Singers, Cantabile, Luca Ricceri, Paddy O'Neill, Mike Flynn, Abi Alton, James Lilly & Vin Garbutt. Raising money for BBC Children in Need. Touching, magical tribute by BBCTees - thank you for inviting me to be there.

Carol concert in memory of Ali Brownlee

#Well done to everyone involved in today's Christmas carols concert in memory of Ali Brownlee at St Mary's Cathedral in @Middlesbrough. Beaut

My Latest Book

It was a frosty day recently for the launch of my 7th Monstrous Morals children's book, Chilly Billy Winter’s, the boy who wouldn't dress up warm.

A great time signing copies in Darlington along with illustrator Paul Wick.

Thanks to everyone who came to say hello.

For more information, check out the website here.

How to help Birds this winter.

Another contribution by my wife, Heather, to the cracking Country Life section with The Northern Echo and Sam Turner and Sons Ltd.

https://goo.gl/g5s0y8

Local Heroes Awards 2016

Such a privilege to host Local Heroes Awards 2016 at Wynyard Hall on December 1st.

Congratulations to overall Local Hero, Olympic heroine Amy Tinkler.

Souvenir supplement in The Northern Echo.

If you were there - thanks for coming and hope you had a great night.

http://bit.ly/2gLZxCb

Stockton-on-Tees Business Improvement District (BID)

This week I took part in a really interesting exercise to help choose between the top two candidates to be manager of the new Stockton-on-Tees Business Improvement District (BID).

My task was to interview them as a tough-questioning journalist planning to publish a piece on their vision for the town centre. The aim was to see how they coped under pressure.

Worth considering if you are making a key appointment.

It's clear as water what disgraced swimmer Ryan Lochte needs to do

PUBLIC relations isn't rocket science.

Most of the time it comes down to common sense.

And, in the case of disgraced American swimming champion Ryan Lochte, it's so obvious what he needs to do.

In case you've not been watching the news lately, multiple Olympic champion Lochte has made a right old mess of his life.

He's gone from hero to zero, and lost a boat-load of sponsorship money in the process, by lying about being the victim of an armed robbery in Rio.

The truth is that he and his mates got drunk, committed an act of vandalism, and the armed robbery scam was part of their amateurish attempts at a cover-up.

The latest development is that Lochte has been charged by Brazilian police with making a false statement.

He now has to decide whether to go back to Brazil to face the music or allow the case to be heard in his absence.

Well, here's what he should do:

Return to Brazil and making a full apology in open court.

Hold his hands up to being very stupid and that he made a terrible mistake while under the influence of alcohol.

Voluntarily commit to spend time in Brazil, teaching disadvantaged kids to swim.

Set up a scholarship in Brazil to help finance a promising young swimmer's training costs over the next five years.

In general, people accept apologies - as long as they're meaningful and not half-hearted.

Ryan Lochte's reputation has taken a dive.

He needs to do the right thing to get it back up to the surface.

Delighted to announce that Chilly Billy Winters - the seventh book in the Monstrous Morals series - is going off to the printers today.

Written by yours truly and illustrated by the brilliant Paul Wick and published by Pro-Actif, it's the story of a little boy who refuses to wrap up warm.

He gets kidnapped by a gang of zombie snowmen and imprisoned in the castle of the evil Jack Frost.

It follows Fartin' Martin Sidebottom, Black-toothed Ruth Black, Fidgety Bridget Wrigglesworth, Messy Bessie Clutterbuck, Nose-picking Nicholas Pickering and Daydreaming Daisy McCloud.

That lot are already in the shops and on Amazon, and Chilly Billy will be on sale soon for £5.95.

Pete Joins Middlesbrough College Team

SINCE stepping down as editor of this newspaper in April, one of the areas I want to focus on is the training of the next generation of journalists.

I'm, therefore, thrilled to be joining Middlesbrough College from September, in helping to launch new courses in journalism.

I've been hugely impressed by the facilities and ambition of the college and, having grown up in Middlesbrough, I love the idea of being able to put something back into the area by guiding Teesside youngsters who have ambitions to go into the media.

For me, it's about raising aspirations in the Middlesbrough area and helping young people see that they can be whatever they want to be.

I can't wait to get started.

IT was also announced earlier this year that I am taking on a role as an ambassador and mentor for the training of journalists at Darlington College.

Darlington College has been a leading centre for the training of journalists for decades, with former students including John Sergeant, who went on to become the BBC's Chief Political Correspondent, as well as ITN's Political Editor.

Darlington College runs the National Council for the Training of Journalists Pre-Entry Course and, last year, a new partnership was established with The Northern Echo. A "newsroom day" was built into the course, with students spending each Thursday working at The Northern Echo's head office, interacting with journalists, attending news conferences, and generating "live" content.

I'm delighted to say that the partnership has helped produce outstanding results, with all the students achieving the "gold standard" for their portfolios of work.

Course leader Sue Calvert said: "The majority of that work has been published and undoubtedly enhanced as a result of the newsroom experience at The Northern Echo.What is striking from them is their multimedia/digital storytelling skills along with traditional core patch work at parish council meetings and building community contacts. They have written news, sport, features, live blogged, produced video and mobile journalism packages."

If anyone wants to follow in the footsteps of those successful students, they can apply for September's diploma on the Darlington College website at http://www.darlington.ac.uk.

And if anyone wants any advice about careers in journalism, feel free to get in touch with me at [email protected]

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