The Recorder's press baron before Ken was Pamela Mitchell. Pamela first crossed paths with Ken when she reported on a meeting at the Community Centre protesting against the new Graffiti Club in April 1983. As community development officer, Ken chaired the meeting. Despite support from the local residents, the protest failed to stop the club venture, but Pamela thought Ken put his views across well and asked him to write an article for the Recorder about any local interest issue. Ken chose to attack the council's inaction over the number of children run over Clifton Road, namely the promise of a footbridge which had not materialised. As Ken had no journalistic experience, his article was heavily edited by Pamela, much to his ire.