As a journalist, I specialise in local government, rural and social issues, and my work has been published in national newspapers, specialist magazines and websites.
I also do copywriting for businesses, offer training in writing and journalism topics, and help people write, edit and publish books (see other pages for details).
Clients describe my writing as: ‘a relaxed and flowing style’, and ‘quirky, well researched and thoroughly interesting.’
READ my recent articles (below), or search by publication and subject (right).
Harry Potter shows how to write good copy
Remember the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? Well it can show you how to write good copy. Here’s how:
H – The importance of good H’s – Headlines, Headings and sub-Headings.
O – One, two, three. A good rhythm helps. You can achieve this, for example, by citing things in 3’s and varying your sentence length.
G – As editors always say “Get a Good quote.”
W – Use ‘Word pictures’ to convey images, smells and sounds. These tap into the reader’s emotions and imagination and help your work come alive.
A – Always remember who your Audience is – think who are they and what do they need to know?
R – Repeats. Begin 2-3 adjacent words with the same consonants. Sing a song of sixpence, etc.
T – Tell a story. It helps a piece flow and keeps the reader interested.
S – Don’t forget to plan your work, ie have a good structure. If necessary use what are called ‘signposts’ to alert the reader as to what is to follow.
See my web site for my training and copywriting services.
What if… a hung parliament?
Affordable housing, motorists, those in fuel poverty, plus green technologies look the most likely rural beneficiaries if there is a hung parliament.
For decades the Liberal Democrats have been a feature of local rather than national politics. But now, for the first time since the Lib-Lab pact of 1977-78, Britain’s third party may hold the balance of power in the next government. And if so, what will be the consequences for rural areas, national priorities, and in the longer term?
Rural Services Network – April 2010
Efficiency savings
In July 2008 Hounslow LBC became the first and only council to outsource the management of its library and cultural service to the private sector. “Councillors usually shy away from being radical – but at the time it was a radical step,” says Peter Thompson, leader of the council.
Local Government Chronicle – March 2010 Read the rest of this entry »
Restrictions of rural broadband
Today’s technological age is creating opportunities for all of us – whether households, businesses or service providers. But if you live in a rural area, you and your community are increasingly missing out.
Here’s our roundup on rural broadband – its provision, impact and the government’s response.
Rural Services Network – March 2010
Consultation on Post Office closures
Most of us have responded to a consultation at one time or another. In the name of democracy, there’s no shortage. Consultations on changes to local government. Consultations on council priorities. And consultations on how public services should be delivered.
But, despite their democratic aims, they don’t have a great reputation. Not everyone who needs to hears about them. Many people feel their views are not taken into account. Others think the decisions have already been taken, so what’s the point of responding.
Rural Services Network – March 2010
Sustainable procurement
The usual focus on procurement is as a route to secure efficiency savings. But today’s environmental and localist agendas should be prompting more councils to address the government’s wider sustainable procurement agenda – encompassing economic and social as well as efficiency and environmental goals.
“Not many councils are doing much about sustainable procurement – or know about it,” says Christine Storry, procurement specialist at Bristol City Council. “There a misconception that its just about the environment, and the overwhelming coverage of climate change has reduced attention on other factors.”
Local Government Chronicle – February 2010
Rural areas post election
With the phoney election having started, what will rural areas look after the real one? My top six predictions are divided into: ‘Dead certs’ - ‘If the Tories win’ – and ‘Anyone’s guess.’
Rural Services Network – February 2010
Preparing for LEAs
Another year, another strategy. This time it’s Local Economic Assessments (LEAs), that top tier and unitary authorities will have a duty to prepare from 1st April.
“Economic growth does not just happen by itself, particularly in the current climate,” said local government minister, Rosie Winterton at the launch of the draft guidance on preparing LEAs. “It’s never been more crucial for councils to understand what will help or hinder their area’s steps towards recovery,” she added.
But councils are asking themselves what geographic area should the LEAs cover, the issues they should address, and how do they ensure they are used?
Local Government Chronicle – January 2010
Read the rest of this entry »
Delivering services in the snow
The big freeze is prompting councils to prioritise services.
Take roads – the essential way most of us get about, whether by car or bus.
Most councils have what is called a ‘precautionary network’, that they commit themselves to salting, and details of which they publish (grit is only used when supplies of salt are low).
But what proportion of the local road network this covers varies hugely.
Ruural Services Network – January 2010
Working from home
Over half a million people work from home in rural areas, where the spare room is increasingly turning into an office.
This is nearly 12% of the economically active (higher than the 8.2% in urban areas), with a 40-60 split between employees and the self-employed.
SOURCE: http://www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/publications/crc17radar
Growing use of the internet, and cheap IT equipment, have made working from home increasingly possible.
But also influential have been companies’ attempts to save costs and get the best out of their staff.
So, who are today’s home workers, and what are the implications for rural areas?
Rural Services Network – 2010
