The 6am front pages: how the night unfolded

The chances are the newspaper you saw this morning didn't have the result of the referendum ... but the newsdesks were certainly working through the night to produce 6am editions. 

My favourite is the Edinburgh News. The image is not one of celebration ... just one that reflects the mood. The morning after the night before. This is how the night (and morning) unfolded in the newsrooms on both sides of the border.

The Scottish Daily Mail. Great picture of Alex Salmond. I was particularly pleased to see Rachel Watson's byline on this. Trainee in Kensington last week, front page in Glasgow this week. Well done to her. 

The Daily Record has enjoyed an excellent campaign with some memorable fronts. It doesn't disappoint this morning ... New Scotland ... new Britain is a nice headline.  

The Scottish Sun's holding front page is just silly ... but it goes for it big time this morning. The merging flags and Reunited Kingdom headline are simple but very effective.

The English Sun's morning page is a bit stronger though. Union back, adapted from the earlier edition, is a nice line.

The Daily Telegraph's picture across the top, with the white titlepiece embedded, is very strong. The second edition headline just about squeezes in above the fold. 

Nice picture on The Times too ... although the relationship with the picture is interesting. I guess the couple hugging aren't that happy about staying together.

The Guardian changed its picture midway through the night ... and then there was a wholesale change to capture a very hacked off Alex Salmond. 

 The Scotsman goes from clutter to simple clarity. 

No doubting the result in the Mirror. 

The Independent might have taken a gamble at 4.15am and dropped the question mark. Not sure the lady in the front of the picture will thank them for this shot.

Good changes at The Herald. The crop on Salmond in the car not as effective as the one on the Scottish Daily Mail. Why the front seat passenger and wing mirror? Not surprised it changed again. 

 From piper to partygoers, the i goes blue for the day. 

Not sure if the Express updated this one - a generic lead headline that would have stood whatever the result.  

The Press & Journal in Aberdeen uses Salmond as a shadow across the Union Flag. Poignant?   

The regionals were busy too. Here's the Manchester Evening News. 

The Courier - based in Dundee.

The Herald in Dublin.

A great job by the journalists ... now go get some sleep. 

North newspapers - better together

Here's a first ... rival newspapers The Northern Echo and the Newcastle Journal had the same front page today. And the Evening Chronicle in Newcastle ran the same thing on Page 6 too. The Teesside Gazette, Manchester Evening News and The Yorkshire Post also signed up to the campaign. The big question - with Scotland being offered all these sweeteners - is what happens to the neglected North? Great to see newspapers from different groups putting aside their rivalries to campaign. You can read more about it here. 

Classic front pages on Scotland's 'Day of destiny'

Today we have some classic front pages. There is one story that you have to lead on ... but nothing new has happened. How do you deal with that? That's when the page designers must be at their most creative and, today, with one or two exceptions, they haven't disappointed. 

The Mirror, Telegraph and Express all use similar images. The Mirror takes out the Saltire from the Union Flag and headlines with a slightly amended song title, made famous by Scottish band the Communards. A smart page for both England and Scotland.

With big picture stories, the broadsheet size comes into its own. And the Telegraph rarely misses an opportunity. No headline required, just a poignant quote from Rabbie Burns.

The Express uses a similar image in Scotland but in England reverts to a more traditional front. I guess it is so they could promote their historic newspaper pages. The blurb has looked the same every day this week though. I also have an issue with Free Inside in bright yellow - where else would it be? In the shop next door? I would have been tempted to have run the Scottish page in all editions.

The Daily Record has had a good campaign and today it delivers two excellent fronts. The top one - which also quotes Burns - is part of a wrap, the bottom one the front page inside the wrap. All to Pray for is a clever headline too. I wonder if Alistair Darling should have been replaced by Gordon Brown in the head to head.

The Times also goes with a wrap in both England and Scotland. Given the great wraparounds the Times has delivered, this is a little disappointing. It's just a poster of the Union Flag and a fairly routine D-Day headline. Scotland decides isn't the most creative headline of the day either. In Scotland it takes the unusual step of running its editorial - in leader page style - on Page 1. I am not sure about simply cutting the page in half and some readers may think it's an ad. It certainly looks different, though.

The Edinburgh News is yet another paper to go for a wraparound. Away from the flags and politicians, it brings the issue back to its nub. The headline and David Hume quote work well. A really nice page.

I really like the Daily Mail's Scottish front page and there might have been an argument in running it through all editions. The Thailand murder story is strong though. 

The Independent also goes for a dramatic Saltire and Union Flag picture, which looks very powerful on today's news-stands. The 307-year itch is nice too.

Its sister paper, the i, goes for the two flags - but doesn't quite have the same impact. 

I have been impressed with the recent changes to Metro. This is another strong front with yet another song lyric headline. 

I really liked the Scottish Page 1. It says 'we have no columnists, no editorials and favour no side. So today, instead of pontificating on the rights or wrongs of independence, we merely urge all of you to take part in one of the most significant moments in the long and illustrious history of our country.' Hope readers don't think the advert is a message too.

The Guardian wipes out the front with a satellite shot, showing what Scotland would look like as an independent country. Day of destiny is the most-used headline of the day. 

The Evening Times also uses Day of destiny on a montage of campaigns and flags.

The Sun, in its unique and innovative way, contrives to tie in Harry and Cressida getting back together with the Scottish issue. It is, as you may know, also a song title (Jack Johnson, anyone?).

The Scottish edition is interesting too. I am with journalism trainees today who feel the hands weren't needed. I am not sure The Sun would have been confident going with just a blank page though. The multi-cultural hands are writing the new beginning I guess. I might have subbed the cross reference to Pages 2 to 13.

The Herald has a powerful picture of Scotland at its archetypal best. The advert is interesting though - it has to be deliberate. 

At both ends of the spectrum, even City A.M. and the Morning Star go for Scotland.

The Racing Post is interesting too. Never mind the polls ... the bookies are offering odds of 2/9 on the No vote. And the bookies are rarely wrong.

Perhaps the most disappointing front is The Scotsman's. The Day of Destiny headline makes a reappearance ... but is this really the best picture? Pictures of buildings rarely make great display images for newspapers and this isn't even a nice building or a moody shot. It also looks as though the signs are being put away after it's all over.

Meanwhile ... south of the border it looks as though we will need to brace ourselves for a whole raft of claims for independence. Here's the Dorking Advertiser ...

Some thoughtful and creative pages today - newspapers at their best. With the result coming in after deadline, tomorrow's fronts will be even more of a challenge.

Thanks to the excellent #tomorrowspaperstoday and @suttonnick

The news quiz: Harriet gets the Champagne

Trainees (from left) Hannah Flint, Harriet Crawford (with Champagne), Alisha Rouse, Tom Payne, Laura Cotton, Jaber Mohamed, Jemma Buckley, Kelly McLaughlin, Evan Bleier, Hattie Sime, Anetta Konstantinides, Christopher Brennan, Rachel Watson, Lydia Willgress and Myriah Towner

It was a busy week for the 15 Mail trainees in Kensington this week. They had sessions with some top journalists including Hugh Dougherty, Marianna Partisides, Harriet Arkell, Chris Greenwood and assistant editor (news) Neil Darbyshire. Four former trainees, Katherine Faulkner (who is now deputy news editor), Mark Duell, Simon Murphy and Kieran Corcoran also gave them an insight into what to expect in the months ahead. They also received practical advice from managing editor Alex Bannister and deputy managing editor (online) Tal Gottesman. In between the talks they wrote articles and analysed sources. Last night they enjoyed a ‘few' drinks at the Greyhound with former trainees.

The nine print reporters now head off to their regional newspaper and agency placements and will return to London next year. Meanwhile the six MailOnline journalists, five of them from America, head off to PA’s headquarters in Howden where they will continue their training.

We finished the week, as always, with the news quiz. Congratulations to last week’s winner Lydia Willgress who stormed ahead again with 17.5. Lydia is the overall Online leader. A bottle of Champage was given to the highest scoring trainee newspaper reporter over the last two weeks. It was collected by Harriet Crawford who pipped Jaber Mohamed by half a point. It marked the end of a good fortnight for Harriet who got a byline on a page lead in the Mail and two bylines on MailOnline too.

The Daily Telegraph course started in Howden this week too. The top score there was 14 by James Rothwell. Anyway, there are 23 points up for grabs. See if you can do any better than Lydia’s very impressive 17.5. 

Serena Williams (see Q3)

1. According to bookmakers Paddy Power and Ladbrokes, if the Royal baby is a girl, there are two names which are joint favourite. What are they? Half point for each.

Bonus (1pt) … Kate's pregnancy meant she had to miss the opening ceremony of which event on Wednesday?

2. Extracts from the book Prince Harry: Brother, Soldier, Son have been helping to make the headlines. Who is the book’s author?

3. Serena Williams won her 18th Grand Slam title, the same as Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. But which woman tennis player tops the all-time record with 22?

Bonus (1pt), Roger Federer tops the all time Grand Slam winners table for men. How many has he won?

4. Raising the Scottish flag over Downing Street backfired a little when it slipped back down the pole. What is the name of the Scottish flag?

Bonus (1pt) Which country said it was supporting Scottish Independence so it could import whisky?

5. Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide and which other charge?

6. Actor Giles Watling is planning to stand as a Conservative in the Clacton by-election. In which sitcom did he become famous?

7. How many different watch faces has Apple designed? 

8. Fifty flights were cancelled and thousands of people were evacuated from which airport?

9. Who stripped to his underwear after being booed at the Fashion Rocks charity concert in New York?

10. Why was Paul Wilcox in the headlines?

11. According to research by the Department of Transport, which train service was the most overcrowded between September & December last year?

12. Which comedian gave evidence on the alleged assault by Dave Lee Travis at a recording of the Mrs Merton show?

13. Whose house in Geneva did police have to protect from crowds? 

14. Strictly Come Dancing launched at the weekend, without Bruce Forsyth. Who is replacing him?

15. Which band gave away a copy of their new album to iTunes users ... whether they wanted it or not?

16. Sir Alan Moses is chairman of which organisation?

17. Who married Harry Needs this week?

18. Why was Polish immigrant Aaron Kosminski in the news this week? 

19. Name the Chinese internet company expected to be worth £100 billion when it floats on the New York stock exchange.

20. Which actor disclosed that he once tried Viagra?

Results here

Newsquiz is back. Lydia's 17.5 to beat

The Daily Mail/MailOnline graduate scheme for reporters started this week. There are 15 young journalists, ten from the UK and five from America, who are on the course, run by the Press Association, at the Mail’s London office. They have had a week which included sessions with the Mail legal team, MailOnline managing editor Rhiannon Macdonald, sketch writer Quentin Letts, senior reporters David Williams and Christian Gysin, former trainees Peter Campbell and Sam Creighton and a talk from Bob Satchwell, executive director of the Society of Editors. The trainees are off finding exclusive stories today, so we did the end-of-week news quiz early. Congratulations to Lydia Willgress who was a runaway winner with 17.5 points, well ahead of second placed Christopher Brennan and Hattie Sime. The quiz was also completed by the trainees on PA's foundation course in London where Toby Luckhurst and George Ryan were joint first with 15 points. The purpose of the quiz is to offer a little light relief at the end of a busy week and to ensure everyone is keeping up to speed with the news. The quiz will be running here for the next eight weeks. See if you can beat Lydia’s impressive 17.5.

World leaders at the Nato Summit this week ... but where was it held. Q7.
Picture courtesy of PA.

1. Why were William Pooley and Nancy Writebol in the headlines?

2. Gary Barlow has apologised for his tax errors. Which company did he invest in to avoid paying taxes?

3. Who was named as Philanthropist of the Year at the GQ awards?

4. Why were around 100 pupils at the Coseley School, Bilston, sent home on the first day back at school?

5. Migrants tried to force their way on to a ferry in Calais, hoping to get to England. Besides raising the ramp, what did the crew do to stop them boarding?
6. David Cameron said pictures of Ashya King reminded him of his own son, who died aged six. What was his son’s name?

Bonus: Ashya's parents want him to receive Proton Beam cancer treatment at a special hospital in which city?

7. Where is the NATO summit taking place?

8. Why were Henry McCollum and Leon Brown in the headlines?

9. Who will be standing for UKIP in the Clacton by-election?

10. Which sporting event this month will pit the United States against Europe? 

11. David Haines is being held hostage by the Islamic State. Which Non-Government Organisation does he work for? 

Bonus: Steve Sotloff’s friends and family challenged the leader of the Islamic State to debate the tenets of Islam. Who is the leader? 

12. In which country has Al Qaeda proclaimed a new terror group? 

13. Who said it is selfish to have kids? 

14. Vladimir Putin told EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso that he could ‘take Kiev’ in how many weeks?

Bonus: Which country cancelled the delivery of two warships to Russia?

15. Who did Sir Howard Davies, head of the Airports Commission, say was not telling the truth?

16. Scotsman Norman Calder was eliminated from what?

17. Which singer, famous in the 1970s, has pleaded guilty to drink driving in New York?

18. What reached a fourteen-and-a-half-year high on Wednesday? 

19. IPSO, a new regulatory body for the media comes into being on Monday. What does IPSO stand for?

20. How many female A-listers were said to have had nude pictures hacked from iCloud?

Answers here

Roger Parlby: An editor of grace and gravitas

Roger Parlby and daughter Joanna examining the new-look Advertiser in 2010

I was saddened to learn of the death of Roger Parlby, chairman and editor-in-chief of the Newark Advertiser, earlier this month. I was fortunate enough to meet him and his daughter Joanna four years ago when he asked me to redesign the title. 
I was immediately impressed by the man and his deep knowledge of design and typography principles. He had a very clear view of the evolutionary approach the Advertiser needed. The changes we introduced had to be subtle. He knew all about fonts, their history and those he wanted to keep.
The masthead had to retain its Ultra Bodoni typeface while splash heading caps were dropped in favour of lower case Century Bold. It was refreshing to work with a family-run independent newspaper where those who were empowered to make the decisions also had a love for the paper and its history. The paper's editorial, written by Mr Parlby in the relaunch edition, summed up the changes nicely: A refreshed Advertiser strives to please relying on the solid foundation of years long gone. Samuel Wesley said it all way back in 1700 when he wrote: 'Style is the dress of thought, a modest dress neat but not gaudy will true critics please.’ 

Roger Parlby had worked at the Advertiser since 1941, succeeding his father Cyril as editor in 1967. He became editor-in-chief in 1984 and was awarded an MBE in 2005. He died earlier this month aged 89. 

He was one of the newspaper industry’s great characters - a man with gravitas, grace and a lively sense of humour. It is a sad time for the Parlby family but I know that the title will be in safe hands with Joanna as MD. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to meet them. It was a real pleasure - working with dedicated and genuinely nice people with real journalistic values whose motivation is to keep both readers and advertisers happy. The sort of work I would happily do every day.  

The Newark Advertiser tribute to Roger Parlby is here.