Passionate Blog

Dave Spikey and Nat Coombs back Passionate Red Nose Day project

A NEW collection of comedy writing created through social networking site Twitter is set to tickle the nation’s funny bone thanks to backing from comics Dave Spikey and Nat Coombs.

The TwitterTitters project is driving social change through social media by aiming to boost funds for Red Nose Day.

It now boasts exclusive new writing from Phoenix Nights co-creator Dave and a foreword from Nat whose comedy Chelsey: OMG! is an online phenomenon. Dave has submitted a previously unseen story The Best Medicine for the charity collection which is an excerpt from his upcoming book I gave him my kidney, then he stole my heart. The book will feature the best selection of new comedy writing collected by organisers through promoting the project on Twitter and is set to be published next week on www.lulu.com in time for Red Nose Day.

Feedback from our commercial writing workshop - thanks everyone

THANKS a million to everyone who has been in touch to say how much they enjoyed our commercial writing workshop on Saturday.

The magic of Twitter, Facebook and Blackberry means the testimonials started coming in pretty much as soon as the the course finished. 

We are considering holding future events in London and the Midlands as there has been so much interest, so please do get in touch if you would like to know more. This is a workshop which explores the possibilities of boosting freelance earnings by taking on commercial writing work while being transparent with editors about that work - and avoiding potential conflicts of interest.

Here's some of the feedback we have had so far:

By Twitter:

Great course. Up and at 'em now! Anne Marie Flanagan

Thanks again for yesterday, feel very motivated today!  Rachael Glazier

Thanks for a very enlightening day. I feel like a Jedi Knight to your Obe Wan Kenobi. Catherine Goddard

Thank you! It was a fantastic day! Emma McNeil

Thanks Carol and Linda for today and the kick up the bum, enjoyed course. Michael Cross

Had a great time on Saturday. Ace to finally meet you and so many others. Course was brilliant, thank you. Really useful. Siobhan O' Neill

Tweetin' hilarious: Twitter powers new comedy anthology for Comic Relief

A NEW collection of comedy writing hopes to raise cash for Comic Relief – thanks to the micro-blogging site Twitter.

Linda has teamed up with journalist Louise Bolotin to work on collecting and editing submissions for the TwitterTitters book by tweeting about it regularly.

Just one day after first mentioning the initiative on Twitter, they have found an illustrator and first submissions have been received. The deadline is Friday, February 20 at 4pm.

The resulting book will be published by self publishers Lulu.com, with all proceeds going to Comic Relief.

Short stories, scripts, poem and prose will all be accepted for the anthology and the word limit is 1,400 words. Copyright for the work is retained by the writer.

A school bus with Wi-fi - what's that all about?

All aboard we think we mean...Another new client for us this month is the Birmingham-based Green Bus Company as Helen gets to grips with its newsletter.

The firm  – which has Wi-fi on all its vehicles, aims to ‘revolutionise’ school transport – and they’re already making a media splash with appearances on Midlands Today  and Newsround among others.

Now the company’s founders, including former teacher, Ian Mack, are set to raise awareness of its charter service – which allows you to hire a bus when it’s not being used on a school run.

Watch this space for more news of The Green Bus Company – a client that’s definitely going places…sorry, couldn’t resist. Find out more here or check them out on YouTube here.

Helping put our county's Lifelong Learning Network on the map

WE'RE excited to be now working with the Staffordshire and Shropshire Lifelong Learning Network to help publicise its many achievements in higher and vocational education.
 
The network - a collaboration of universities, further education colleges, employers and private training providers - empowers learners to access vocational courses and gain qualifications which they may have missed out on in their earlier lives or careers.

It creates new learning opportunities and helps people understand how they can progress through the system.
 

How one local firm is on the right road to beat fuel costs

Picture shows: Mike Walton, from Rapid Remap, fine tuning one of the cars from Five Star Taxis with taxi firm director Lisa Barnes. Photo by Viv Bailey.

THERE'S a lot of noise at the moment about the different ways that individuals, companies and organisations are said to be 'beating the recession.'

Scratch the surface and these money-saving strategies may not stand up. That's why we were delighted that Neil has reported on how one local business has tried out new equipment which has brought genuine results to its bottom line.

The Heath Hayes taxi firm is beating the economic gloom by piloting new technology which has saved it £3,600 in fuel costs on three vehicles over the last year.

Now Five Star Taxis say they are introducing the cost-cutting technical know-how across its whole fleet as they replace older vehicles – which could result in savings of around £10,000 a year.

Compton Hospice silver ticket win brings cheer for Claire

WILLENHALL mum of two Clare Hill got some New Year good news to combat the economic gloom after winning £750 in a draw for Compton Hospice.

Clare, pictured right, a saleswoman who has been out of work for six months, said the money was a God send which would help her pay off some of her Christmas debts.

 

The lucky 34-year-old picked up the prize after buying a £1 ticket in the Compton Hospice Sporting Chance draw outside her local Tesco store in Owen Road, Willenhall. She scooped the silver ticket prize worth £750, the gold ticket worth £1,250 and the £500 bronze ticket have yet to be drawn.