Three people with a mound of chocolate Easter eggs donated to Exeter Foodbank

‘Fresh’ eggs for Foodbank!

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With Easter just around the corner, an idea popped into my mind for a nice bit of PR for my Straight Marketing client, The Fresh Accountancy Company.

The word Fresh married nicely with the word egg – leading to Easter eggs. How about donating Easter eggs?

I’ve donated to Exeter Foodbank via networking groups before, so they seemed a good charity to approach. I wasn’t sure if they’d jump at the idea of an Easter egg donation, as they tend to supply practical foods like pasta and tinned products. But I was wrong. Operations Manager Teresa Pollard was delighted with the idea. Fresh founder, Tom Baker, generously offered to buy 100 eggs.

These were duly ordered and arrived at Fresh’s offices in Clyst St Mary. Teresa asked if we could deliver them nearer to Easter – meaning the Fresh team had to fight off any chocolate cravings! On April 9, I met Dave and Ben from Fresh just across the road from the Foodbank in Cowick Street, Exeter. We piled the eggs into two Foodbank trollies and negotiated a hairy road crossing, not losing any eggs on the way.

Teresa was so pleased with the donation and told us about the way the Foodbank operates; for example that people can’t just walk in, they have to have vouchers from organisations like Citizens Advice and children’s centres.

She said: “The truth is foodbanks shouldn’t be needed, but while they are, it’s important to make sure that the people we serve are treated with dignity and supported beyond the provision of food. The Exeter community is so supportive of our Foodbank and we are always amazed by the generosity of donations from individuals, schools and colleges, stores, and the local business community, including Fresh.”

Thanks to Dave and Ben for helping with the delivery, and Tom for agreeing to the donation.

 

Malta fundraiser 2025

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On February 23rd I took part in the Malta Half Marathon (walkathon) for the third time, raising funds for client Diespeker’s chosen charity, stem4, as part of the Terra Ferma Media team with agency boss David and photographer Nina.

Last year (when I didn’t take part due to illness), it lashed down and everyone was soaked! This year, the sun came out and the temperature was perfect for a high speed walk of 13 miles from Mdina down to Sliema. I was delighted to achieve a PB of 3 hours 24 mins 32 secs, aided by some great tunes – ELO and 70s disco! I was even more delighted with the fundraiser total we raised between us. With an initial target of£1000 we reached just under £1700. Just brilliant.

We were also fortunate to have time for some sightseeing, taking the client to visit the island of Gozo which meant taking the ferry, great fun! After the Diespeker team left, we stayed on for a few days for a mix of business chats and more sightseeing. All in all a fantastic experience, and there was talk of a return visit next year and a possible excursion to Scicily.

From temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees C, we returned to the UK and a bit of a freeze! However the sun soon came out, and although not as warm as Malta, there’s definitely a sense of Spring in the air. Long may it continue!

Two impressive client award wins – times two!

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More fantastic awards success for clients this year. Many congratulations to Coldharbour Field Kitchen and The Family Law Company. Even more impressively, they both won awards in two different categories. Read on!

Devon Tourism Awards

Coldharbour Field Kitchen collected its very first award back in 2022 – Casual Dining in the Devon Tourism Awards. Fast forward to 2024 and they were keen to enter the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award. But I also felt they should go for Casual Dining again. So we did both. And they were announced as finalists in both.

The awards event was held in Plymouth in November, and Andrea and Beth had invited me to go with them. I was really looking forward to the evening, but the fates – and snow – interceded, and none of us made it! However, I watched the announcements as they were made and relayed the results via WhatsApp. Gold for Casual Dining, Bronze for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism. Fantastic results and so very well deserved. There’s a chance they’ll go through to the South West Tourism Awards – watch this space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Family Law Awards

Also in November, the finals of the Family Law Awards for The Family Law Company, this time in London. We’d entered three categories and were shortlisted in all of them. On the night, the fabulous new client team picked up the Legal Support Team of the Year. Marketing guru Kerry England pinged me over the result and I danced with joy. But then there was another ping, as the lovely Imran Khodabocus was named the Family Law Partner of the Year. It couldn’t happen to a nicer person! I love these awards, they are so authentic and the double win is a real testament to the brilliance of my amazing client.

Images Copyright www.tellingphotography.com

Auction PR – Fishley Pottery

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One of my long-term clients, Chilcotts Auctioneers is the source of a wealth of PR activity for me, with some incredible stories unearthed over the years just begging to be told.

I’ve managed PR for a number of special items over the years, from medals and paintings to chic 1960s clothes. This time it was the turn of pottery!

The Fishley Pottery Collection is a collection of beautiful ‘Devon folk art’ items ranging from harvest jugs, vases and chargers to quirky items like puzzle jugs. This style of pottery started being made in the early 1800s at Fremington in North Devon. The Fishley family spanned many generations, starting with George Fishley who set up the first kiln. Edwin Beer Fishley, who took over the kiln in the 1860s, is perhaps the best known of the family, his work heavily influenced the Studio Pottery movement of the twentieth century. The Fishley designs use slipware and sgraffito, which I know I’ve seen on The Great Pottery Throw Down. It was incredibly interesting to discover the roots of these decorative styles.

The collection was owned by Margaret Squance, the great, great, granddaughter of Edwin. I met her at Chilcotts, what a fascinating lady she is, and her passion for her family’s pottery really shone through. She was sad to sell her collection, but just felt it was time for the pieces to have new homes.

We were fortunate to have some months before the collection was due to go to auction – originally this was July but Chilcotts decided to hold off until October, a wise decision as I was able to approach magazines, having enough lead time to produce features for print. Devon Life took a DPS, which I wrote for them. Antique Collecting Magazine was also keen, and Mary Chilcott, who curated the collection, put this together. We had some superb images from photographer Andrew Butler, which certainly helped. Chilcotts talented marketing assistant Courtney Round added some further images, including a wonderful photo of Mary with the collection.

As well as magazines, I wrote a press release for regional titles, which was used in Western Morning News, Devon Live, North Devon Gazette, Breaktime News, Exeter Today and Devon Daily as well as the antique trade ‘bible’, ATG. I also approached BBC Spotlight who agreed to record a piece; reporter Johnny Rutherford and his cameraman Paul Moxham came along to the Saleroom in Honiton. I went along to see how they were doing, and was reminded of my days in video production when I found myself haring around Honiton trying to find some black cloth to use as a backdrop for some of the filming! Thanks to Peter Betteridge who lent me a roll of black drape and a mattress sign (which did the trick!).

This was a hugely successful PR project, and I’m really proud of how much coverage I secured for Chilcotts. The sale is on October 12th so I’ll add in the results after that!

25 years for Optix Solutions

25 years for Optix Solutions

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A huge congratulations to Optix Solutions for reaching your 25th anniversary on July 20th.

The Exeter-based marketing company has done brilliantly to reach this milestone, having weathered recessions and the impact of Covid.

As there are 25 members of staff, it seemed fitting to mark the 25th anniversary with a very special pledge, with each member of the team being given a day over the next 12 months to use for volunteering with a local charity or CIC. Having worked with Optix on PR and content for the last two years, I have become very aware of the business’s genuine commitment to social responsibility which helped them to win the top Boutique Agency in Campaign’s Best Places to Work awards last year. So I’m looking forward to hearing about some of the volunteering experiences.

I was also delighted to be invited to the company’s 25th celebrations at Winslade Park venue, The Forge on July 21st. It was a lovely sunny day, the food was amazing and it was great to hear founder Al Banks talk about the early days and the company’s journey. And to witness how co-founder James outclassed MD Rob in the battle of the loud shirts!

Optix founder Alastair BanksBattle of the shirts

 

Here’s to the next 25 years!

Exeter Today

Exeter Daily

Express and EchoWestern Morning News

The Wilds book cover

Book PR – The Wilds

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I’m excited to be working with author Sarah Pearse again, this time for The Wilds, the third book in her trilogy featuring Detective Elin Warner.

I first supported Sarah with PR for the publication of the paperback of her second novel, The Retreat in 2023. Book PR was a new specialism for me, but I quickly got going and we had lots of coverage in the local press and glossies, including Devon Life Magazine. We also ran competitions with Visit South Devon and Torquay magazine The Beach Hut.

The Wilds storyline is set in two locations, the Devon coast and Portugal’s remote National Park, Peneda-Gerês. Central to the plot is the disappearance of Kier, who escaped her hometown and twin to live her life on the road. But why did she leave, and what happened to her? The theme of coercive control runs through the book, highlighting the issues of gaslighting and trauma.

For me, this time round there’s another layer to the PR, as Sarah has teamed up with a domestic abuse charity. Still early days, but I’m busy working on collaborative PR opportunities, as well as securing local PR and organising events.

The Wilds is published on July 16th and is available to pre-order from all good booksellers!

 

Group of people at the National Camellia Trail

Otter in the Spotlight!

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This year is Otter Garden Centres 60th anniversary so my foot is on the gas working on a variety of stories, for press, website, socials and local news.

Last week, I was asked to see if I could spark interest in the news that Otter’s exclusive camellia, Claire Hannah, was being added to the National Camellia Trail at Mount Edgcumbe in Cremyll, Torpoint. I have to admit to having never heard of the Trail, but I thought the story was lovely, considering it’s the time of year when camellias are in full bloom, and the timing, perfect to encourage visitors to the Trail for Mother’s Day and in a couple of weeks, Easter.

After ascertaining that Otter’s MD Jacqui Taylor was happy to take the plants to Mount Edgcumbe, I contacted BBC Spotlight. They loved the idea, but we all looked at the weather and decided the next day was the best option. Not much time to sort everything. Cue multiple emails with Spotlight and reporter Johnny Rutherford, frantic calls to Mount Edgcumbe to make sure they were okay about the filming, and to their Camellia Curator Lee Stenning who was also to feature in the story, to check his timings. Then a hair raising hour trying to track down Jacqui to pinpoint when she could get there. I eventually found her at the Taunton garden centre, and finally, everything was sorted.

Despite windy conditions, the sky stayed clear and the sun even came out. The National Camellia Trail did its job by looking very beautiful, Johnny and Lee made an entertaining double act for the broadcast, and Jacqui looked suitably delighted that the exclusive bloom was being added to the collection.

And I’ve learnt all about the National Camillia Trail collection! It was started in 1976 with a gift of 70 camellias from the International Camellia Society. There are over 1000 camellias in the collection and as many camellias tend to be in full flower in the early Spring months, it’s a great time to visit. If you do go, see if you can spot Claire Hannah!

Mount Edgcumbe National Camellia Trail

PS I realised recently that I first started working with Otter for their 50th anniversary. So I’m very proud to have such a long-term client who I have a great relationship with. Long may it continue!

Awards round up

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I’ve had a busy old time recently, supporting clients with awards nominations.

Family Law Awards

Two sets of finalists in this for The Family Law Company – the Costings Team in the Legal Support Team of the Year and the Children Team in the Team of the Year.

I was particularly thrilled that the Costings Team won their award. They’re a team of three who are never in the limelight. Their expert work in undertaking admininstrative tasks for legal aid cases and providing training for their colleagues cannot be underestimated. Well done Polly, Maureen and Kim. The Children Team didn’t win this time, but there’s another bite at the cherry coming up for them!

Rory Bremner, Kim May, Polly Hall, sponsor by Telling Photography

The Notty’s

A new awards event in the Exeter area. Optix Solutions were in the top three of two categories, Marketing Maestro and Fearless Leader. A real shame that they didn’t walk away with one of the unusual bow-tie trophies, but with so many nominations they should feel proud. And there’s always next year!

Westcountry Women Awards

Two different clients in the finals. It was amazing for them to get there as the awards received thousands of entries. So in the top three were Carrie Laws from The Family Law Company for the Diversity & Equality Award, and Beth and Andrea from Coldharbour Farm Field Kitchen for Women in Food & Drink.

Again, one win and one slight disappointment! Carrie won her category, and I have to say it’s about time her amazing work was recognised. Beth and Andrea were pipped at the post by the Cotley Arms, but top three in the region, that’s not to be sniffed at.

Carrie Laws photo by Poppy Jakes

British Family Law Awards

Early days for this as the finalists have only just been announced, but congratulations to Shreya from The Family Law Company for being in the finals of the One to Watch category.

Upcoming

The Exeter Living and DASLS Awards are now open, so it’s head down once again for nominations. So more legal awards, but also a mixture for Exeter Living. I’m looking at Retail, Bar, Restaurant and People Services. Lots to do in the next few weeks!

Cocktails, cocktails everywhere!

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I’m over the moon to be working with a new PR client. It’s two businesses in reality; Wishes is a wellbeing centre combining treatments, retreats, spa days and a huge crystal retail space. Aquarius Bar is a fabulous bar/restaurant that has three seperate areas – the bar, Amazon Lounge and Atlantean lounge – to enjoy great food and drink. There’s a lot of PR possibilities and I’m just starting to get my teeth into it!

Dominic Jones, who runs the bar, is obsessed with cocktails! I took part in a cocktail making workshop he ran, and the result was delicious. He only uses the very best ingredients and, believe me, he certainly knows what he’s doing.

Recently he devised a brand new range of cocktails based on his family. What an inspired idea! With their blessing, he’s designed cocktails for mum Sandie, who runs Wishes, dad Howard, the practical force behind the business, his brother Zach, as well as his auntie and grandparents.

For example, for Sandie:

Pretty Woman
“Here, have a strawberry.” “Why?” “It brings out the flavour.”
An all-time favourite film, this classic has been held in high regard in the family since it was released and is loved today. Many a rainy day have been spent watching Pretty Woman with quotes making their way into everyday chit-chat. It wouldn’t be a Sandie Jones cocktail without a bit of Glitz and Glam and this cocktail takes a riff on the famous champagne and strawberry scene, featuring Della Vite small batch Pink Prosecco with homemade Strawberry Caviar and Edible Gold.

And for Howard:

Insert Cricket Reference Here
Dad used to play cricket a lot, I sadly never got into the sport, but there are countless memories watching him play whilst we were growing up. This cocktail isn’t based on cricket, more the summer afternoons sat watching and Dad’s love for cider, so here we have a Cider based Mojito with a Lemon and Lime Gin twist, to make it extra zesty and all the more refreshing.

Devon Live

Rise and Shine

Devon Daily

I have yet to have had the chance to fully indulge, as I’m always driving when I visit. But with new eco lodges almost ready I figure I’ll have to book in for a night of cocktail tasting, stone circle meditation – followed by restful sleep!

Find out more here: WISHES and AQUARIUS BAR

The Extreme Team for Devon Life

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I’ve been working with World Extreme Medicine for around a year with my PR pal Sharon Goble.

We’ve had some fantastic success getting the organisation featured in the likes of Reader’s Digest and People’s Friend, as well as regional press and local radio. We got a good amount of coverage for the ongoing Medics4Ukraine initiative, which has raised around £2.5M in medical training and supplies for medics work-ng on the frontline and beleaguered hospitals in Ukraine. WEM was highly commended at the Exeter Living Awards, and I put founder Mark Hannaford forward for the LDC Top 50 Ambitious Leaders – watch this space.

Earlier in the year, I was delighted to put my feature hat on and interview founder Mark Hannaford myself, for an article for Devon Life. Mark sent me his CV. It ran to many pages! We talked for ages, he’s done so much, he’s truly unstoppable. From kayaking past a glacier on his 21st birthday and working in the most remote areas of Australia to arranging for Tom Cruise to make a virtual appearance at WEM’s annual conference, Mark is always looking ahead to the next challenge. Luckily he’s also a lovely chap!

The resulting feature for Devon Life was published in the June issue, and I have to say I’m really pleased with it. Helped of course by a fantastic array of photos.

My retained contract with WEM is now finished, but it’s been a pleasure working for this amazing organisation and talking to so many inspirational medics and adventurers. And Sharon and I are now on call as WEM’s ad hoc PR support, so we look forward to continuing the relationship.

My next feature was about a violin maker called Kev based in Exeter, a very different subject to write about – but also totally intriguing!