PR & News
From homeless at 18, to a published author
I first met Courteney Cannan when she was 16 and a student at Fearns Community Sports College, she shaved her hair for charity, who would know our paths would cross and I would be interviewing her again.
This time, it was for Rossendale-based homeless charity M3 Project a charity I have supported for a long time. It was thanks to M3, Courteney was able to get back on her feet and create a loving home for her two sons, who are the stars of her children’s book ‘I can do it’. My story and photo was used by the Rossendale Free Press, tasted on the front page and inside on Page 3.
What was even nicer, was that Courteney remembered meeting me all those years ago. A video of Theo reading the book to his younger brother Raurie, who is being investigated for autism, is on my Facebook business page. Catherine Smyth Media
Potty about Flowerpots
This is one of the more unusual jobs I am tasked with… promoting Bacup Flowerpot Festival.
The Festival is organised by Bacup Pride and runs from July to September all across Bacup with loads of people, businesses, shops and organisations making Flowerpot sculptures out of… flowerpots as the name suggests.
I have been tasked with the role of promoting and publicising the festival since 2018 and firstly I created a bright and colourful logo that slightly changes each year while maintaining the theme. I design posters to promote making sculptures, write news stories, plug events on social media and create the all important Flowerpot Festival Trail to get people out and about looking for the creations.
Now, being a bit of a creative, I could not resist making the odd sculpture myself… This year I created one for my solicitor – a judge complete with flowerpot curled wig – and this one for my home of a new sculpture in the area.
Feedback online
Looking after the woodlands – all in a day’s work
When I was contacted by Danny Entwistle AKA Doc Wildcraft and asked to write about the voluntary work he carries out in the woods above Marl Pits in Rawtenstall, I was keen to do so – especially as it is an area I also love and have walked through often.
I wrote a freelance story that was used in the Big Issue North and also a shorter version for the Rossendale Free Press, which was also used on Lancs Live.
Thanks from Danny…
Steam train ride evokes passionate memories
When I was asked to capture with words and pictures the experience enjoyed by people living with dementia on board a memory steam train it was an honour.
You could see the joy in their faces as the train ride took them back to happy times in their lives. They chatted, shared, sung and waved at passersby, they relished the sights, sounds and smell of steam and it brought them joy.
Dementia Friendly Rossendale organised the train ride and it was a privilege to be able to capture it.
Artist Opens Studio
When artist Chris Worswick decided to open up her new Wooden Horse Studio as part of events to celebrate Rossendale Artists Open Studios, she employed CSM to cover the story and take a photograph.
Chris suffers with tinnitus and now runs specialist art classes to cater for people who need longer to learn their craft.
The story made page leads in both the Lancashire Telegraph and Rossendale Free Press.
Multi-million Pound Relocation
When transport company North West Logistics relocated to a larger premises, they employed CSM to get the message out there.
The new base was literally across the road but because there was no signage, a vehicle was used to not only promote the company name, but in the background the address of the new premises is clearly visible.
The story was used by the Lancashire Telegraph and Business Daily. It helped that the company had also decided to sponsor Accrington Stanley Ladies team.
Riding School Welcomes Firefighters
Young Pony Club members learnt all about fire safety with a visit to Weir Riding Centre by Bacup Firefighters.
The crew were only too happy to meet the young horseriders and help them on their way to achieving a badge.
CSM was asked to cover the event by writing a story about the club and the centre and also taking several pictures to capture the event. The story made the Rossendale Free Press.
Nursery Extends Hours
New government entitlements for working parents meant Bacup Nursery School needed to change its opening hours.
To celebrate the school held a Two-day and employed CSM to cover the story with words and pictures. Three photos were used by the Rossendale Free Press to illustrate the story.
The school is often perceived by parents just to be open ‘school hours’ but also offers breakfast and after-school clubs to help working parents.
Dancing star Jayden’s a street dance success
When Jayden Leigh was born his deformed limbs required immediate surgery, two months of plaster casts and years of wearing special boots, splints and a frame.
Now he has passed a street dance exam with Dansworks Dance Academy in Bacup and his success was catalogued in an PR article and photographs written by Catherine Smyth Media for the dance studio.
It was used on Page 3 of the Lancashire Telegraph and Rossendale Free Press and also featured on About My Area community news website. The story was also featured on a double page spread in the International Dance Teachers’ Association magazine.
