News archive: January to June 2009
June 2009 Rhian
teamed up with Scott Sinclair from Deep South Media to bring a touch of
newsroom tension to the University of Winchester's Aimhigher taster
day. Year 10 pupils from across Hampshire had the chance to learn some
tips of the trade and try out their own headline and news reporting
skills during the two workshops. March 2009 Hilary
Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, met
with IT entrepreneurs in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire to show how
digital technology is transforming rural economies and lifestyles. Read the press release and some of the coverage: Helping students to aim higher Rhian is delighted to be contributing to this year's Aimhigher
Project to help raise attainment in GCSE English. It offers 10 Year 10
pupils from 10 Hampshire Schools the opportunity to work with
communications professionals to produce a piece of coursework, such as
a press release, direct mail or theatrical review. The work will be
inspired by visits to Southampton Football Club and The Mayflower
Theatre. January 2009
EuroGeographics
– the association and official voice for Europe’s national mapping and
cadastral agencies – has welcomed two new members, Geoinformation
Service of the Hungarian Defence Forces (GEOS HDF) and Registers of
Scotland (RoS). Winning
a contract to provide the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) with
public relations services in South East England has got 2009 off to a
flying start for Rhian French Communications. For more about the CRC visit www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk Please email Rhian or call her on 01264 338 375 or 07892 698 350 for more information.
Watchdog calls on Government to lead the way in bridging the gap on Next Generation Access in rural England
People
in rural England are at risk of constantly playing digital ‘catch up’
unless there is a firm commitment to improving communications access
warns a new report. ‘Mind the Gap − Digital England: a rural
perspective’ contains a series of recommendations to Government from
the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) to ensure an effective and
sustainable communications future for rural England.
Read the press release and the article which appeared in The Daily Telegraph.
Pick up your rubbish, let Andover flourish
Andover's
anti-litter campaign was launched in red carpet style at the town's
Reel Cinema. Rhian was honoured to be among the guests invited to the
premiere of the new cinema and radio adverts produced by local schools.
The slogans and adverts devised by these future copywriters,
marketers and advertising gurus were superb. ‘Pick up your rubbish, let
Andover flourish’ was inspired by the Andover Vision project and funded
by Simplyhealth and Andover Sound - a brilliant example of CSR in
action.
May 2009
Business of Learning Conference
Rhian
was delighted to attend the second Business of Learning Conference
organised by Andover Vision, an exciting and ambitious 20 year plan to
improve the town for residents present and future.
Several local
schools gave extremely professional and polished presentations showing
how they already work with local businesses. Delegates also heard about
the campaign to make Andover a rights, respecting and responsible
community. The project is being spearheaded by the headteacher of
Knights Enham School - the first in the country to attain UNICEF Rights
Respecting School Level 2 award.
April 2009
Giving students a taste of the newsroom
Minister leads VIPs on digital fact-finding tour of Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire
The
tour, arranged by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC), gives IT
companies the opportunity to see firsthand how access to digital
technology is crucial to realising the full potential of rural
businesses. It is the latest in a series of successful Rural Experience
visits designed to give senior executives a unique insight into current
rural issues.
Tewkesburyadmag
ruralnet.org.uk
bcs.org
communitynewswire
countryside online
Rhian has been working with Hampshire County Council
Secondary English Consultant, Helen Bulbeck to produce learning
materials for the pupils and their teachers, and will be attending the
project workshops to show how good communication skills and English
qualifications are essential for a wide range of careers.
She
will also take part in a higher education Taster Day organised by The
University of Winchester which is co-ordinating the project. More information can be found at www.aimhigherhants.ac.uk
EuroGeographics adds to expertise with two new members
They join mapping and land registration
organisations from 43 countries who share data and expertise to help
inform European policy and decision-making. An important part of this
is the development of the definitive pan-European location framework
which will enable them to meet the requirements of the Infrastructure
for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE) Directive.
Rhian will be
working with the CRC to highlight its work as the voice of rural
people, businesses and communities. She will also focus on its roles as
an expert advisor to the Government and as an independent watchdog
which monitors and reports on national, regional and local rural
policies.
"I'm really looking forward to using my regional
media contacts to help the CRC raise its profile across the South
East," said Rhian. "People often assume, quite wrongly, that rural
issues do not affect the region so I'm relishing the challenge of
changing their minds." 