Tag: copy writing

How to mark St David’s Day in Wales for food lovers and walking fans

St. David’s Day in Wales this week and I’ve got two articles out to mark Wales’ patron-saint day.

The first is a piece about foodie breaks for spring and my contribution focused on the local flavours and fairytale architecture at Portmeirion [pictured above], North Wales, one of my favourite places to spend time.

Why? Read the full story to discover why via Waitrose Food Magazine.

The second is the publication of copy-writing work for a tourism client, outlining story angles around the tenth anniversary of the Wales Coast Path — it’s coming up in May.

The 870-mile, long-distance walking trail, launched in 2012, forms the first ever continuous waking circuit of a nation.

The anniversary will be accompanied by a programme of key celebratory events, starting from March 1st, St David’s Day.

According to research by Ramblers UK, some 89 per cent of people find walking amongst nature improves health and mental wellbeing. Walking briskly for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, is one way of meeting medical experts’ recommendations for adult physical activity.

Read the full media pack here via Natural Resources Wales.

How to make a content job read like editorial

I would like to think I have the words for any subject.

That is, after all, the nature of life as a jobbing freelance writer.

So, when I recently found myself at Helsby High School [pictured above], talking about the surface of their sports floor, I didn’t bat an eyelid.

It was a copywriting job for a Cheshire-based company and I was there to bring more of an editorial flavour to the content for the website.

The answer? A case study-style piece based round a series of sub headings. The story needed a clear format and lots of direct speech to play up the human interest of the story.

Here’s a flavour of the final copy:

When Helsby High School, Cheshire, wanted a dual-use, versatile space for sports and community events, Sports Surfaces (UK) had the solution.

The new floor has a minimum lifespan of 15 years and is much easier, as well as cheaper, to maintain. More importantly, it has had a transformative effect on the school.

There are the health benefits to students of greater physical activity, plus increased engagement with community events, raising revenue for the school in the process.

“We have seen how both staff and students feel more confident with less likelihood of injury,” explains Helsby Facilities Manager Howard Woodfine.

“And we now have more enquiries from outside clubs, like touch rugby and cricket.”