New Online Voice for Northumberland and Scottish Borders Launched

Northumberland, England (PRWEB UK) 1 November 2011

A unique online travel, tourism and lifestyle magazine for Northumberland and the Scottish Borders has launched selling the area's countless natural and cultural attractions to people in Britain and abroad.

http://www.thisisnorthumberland.com takes a completely new approach to the way travel and tourism information is delivered to potential visitors by combining news and features with searchable accommodation, event and activity databases. It is the first website of its kind in the UK.

Furthermore, it is the first time Northumberland and the Scottish Borders have been marketed as a single tourism destination, even though the history and customs of both areas have been irrevocably intertwined for thousands of years.

For centuries the Tweed formed the much-fought-over frontier between England and Scotland, but the launch of thisisnorthumberland.com reflects the fact that the river is no longer seen as a political boundary by visitors and locals - who enjoy moving freely between the two nations for pleasure and business.

The people behind the website are journalist and former Northumberland Tourism PR and marketing executive Sheelagh Caygill and well-known North East journalist Jane Hall, who have brought together some of the regions finest writing, film making and photographic talent to work on the venture.

They believe thisisnorthumberland.com will play a significant part in helping businesses fight back in the current economic turmoil and boost tourism both long stay, weekend and day trips.

Sheelagh, who is based in Morpeth, said: We did a lot of research before developing and launching the site and, as far as we know, there is nothing like it in the UK.

Visitors and businesses told us theyd like to read news, features and interesting interviews alongside searches for accommodation, events and what to do.

Jane added: Tens of thousands of people pass through Northumberland and the Borders each year, but we dont want them just passing through.

By positively promoting what the area has to offer we hope they will choose to stay, enjoy the hospitality Northumberland and the Scottish Borders is justifiably famous for and spend money in local businesses.

Thisisnorthumberland.com offers a plethora of information by themes on everything from activities and destinations to food, reviews, history, culture, market towns, events, exploring, courses and travel planning coupled with engagingly written lifestyle features and informative daily tourism news updates.

It has downloadable walks and a special Secret Stories section where Northumberland and the Scottish Borders hidden tales are revealed. The team behind the site has had a specially commissioned video produced - promoting one of the UKs most special and beautiful regions - with others set to follow.

There is even a Your Country section, designed to appeal to locals as well as visitors. An Industry section carries relevant business news.

Jane said: We want residents to be aware of the numerous attractions the area has to offer from the breathtaking countryside and coast to stunning stately homes, world renowned heritage attractions like Hadrians Wall, top-class museums and galleries, award-winning restaurants and pubs and charming and cosmopolitan towns and villages all of which are waiting to be explored and which in many cases offer great free days out.

The launch of thisisnorthumberland.com has been welcomed by tourism and leisure businesses in the area. Northumberland National Parks communications team said the site is A very well-executed online resource for visitors and people who love Northumberland to keep in touch with our special places and people.

Nationally acclaimed walking guide Jon Monks, who runs Rothbury-based Shepherds Walks, said: It is great to see such a comprehensive resource, not only for the visitor but locals alike.

Andy Craig, owner of a photographic business near Alnwick, added: Thisisnorthumberland.com is positive, enthusiastic and passionate about the area it represents. Such a well-informed and up-to-date website is just what the visitor needs so they choose Northumberland as a destination.

The thisisnorthumberland.com team has put their own money into the venture and now intends to invest in search engine optimisation and additional site development to lift its profile.

The website utilises the power of social media with links to YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Jane, who was raised in Rothbury, continued: We are passionate about promoting the area. We aim to put it firmly on the national and international travel map.

Thisisnorthumberland.com reflects the best of England and Scotlands border area through rich imagery, easy navigation, engaging writing, and user-generated content and provides consumers with all the information necessary to plan and book a vacation or day out.

Images are copyright Andy Craig Photography. Please credit.

MEDIA ENQUIRES

For more information and interview requests please call Sheelagh Caygill on 07545 596 465 or Jane Hall on 07880 923 507

http://www.thisisnorthumberland.com

Email: thisisnorthumberland(at)gmail(dot)com

Twitter: @Nland_Borders

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/northumberlandborder

uk.linkedin.com/groups/Northumberland-Borders-4091844

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Filmmaker Without Borders

USA (PRWEB) March 5, 2008

Former network Producer/Editor turns Humanitarian Filmmaker. After years in network Television, Junius R. Hughes, forgoes the security of a steady paycheck to champion the rights of others. In his forthcoming film, Children of Fire, the Movie -- Hughes explores the devastation of township fires on the most innocent -- the Children.

Independent American Filmmaker Junius R. Hughes exposes one of South Africa's most tragic secrets: Township Fires. South African villages, like other developing countries, have been ravaged by fires that sweep through crowded shantytowns formed by flimsy, cardboard dwellings. The fires leave little but ashes and destroy tens of thousands of lives in their wake. The tragedy is these fires are preventable because most are started by the cheaply made kerosene (paraffin) stoves that can explode or tip over easily. Millions of families use the dangerous stoves for cooking and heating their "homes".

Once heralded in the "Who's Who" of Southern Africa, British born Bronwen Jones has become the unofficial patron saint of burn victims in South Africa. She runs the charity, "Children of Fire", from her Johannesburg office and school in the Guateng Province. In her plight to help burn survivors, she has endured death threats, negative press, and has single-handedly waged war against city councils. (courtesy of ESSA)

"When I read her story back in 2006 I was drawn in immediately, I knew that I wanted to tell the story of what she is doing for these children," says Hughes, "I don't have many but she is my hero." Hughes will bring on Emmy winner, Michael Booth to write the narration. Former 60 minutes Producer Harry Moses and current Media Professor Liam O'Brien have been on board as Executive Consultants and he's in discussion with world renown jazz musician, George Duke about using one of his recordings in the film.

Children of Fire will also feature comments from international experts, such as environmentalist Peter Knop, and respected figures such as Noble Peace Prize recipient Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Mr. Tutu is a strong advocate for programs to diminish the occurrence of deadly fires in the townships and for government assistance for the young victims.

For most Independent Films funding can also determine if a great film is made or not -- and if you add the fact that this story is international, Hughes finds himself as much a fundraiser as a filmmaker these days. The total cost of the film is $ 173,300. Hughes needs $ 45,000 more to complete the film.

"My goal right now is to find an investor or production company to come in to help with completion funds. I've spent two years on this project -- to have it fail is not an option." Hughes has not let the lack of funds slow him down. In fact, along with investors such as Jaguar Freight, of New York; he is promoting "Children of Fire Day America" in April 2008. The plans are to distribute "free" Children of Fire Day t-shirts to high schools and colleges nationwide with the hopes of getting the attention of investors and production companies and creating some buzz about the charity, the film and the website http://www.childrenoffirethemovie.com.

In June 2007 Hughes filmed the survivors of "Children of Fire" climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The expedition provided these burn survivors the opportunity to move away from their frustrations and feelings of alienation toward a physical goal that promoted trust, reliance upon one another, and self confidence. The climb left these children with a sense of self empowerment and a stream of hope that has given rise to their own voices. Although the climb was reserved for the older teens, all the children shared in the victory of the accomplishment.

Hughes recently returned to South Africa to meet and interview the Archbishop Desmond Tutu for the documentary. "When you think of the face of South Africa, the names that still immediately come to mind are Mandela and Tutu. I trust the Bishop's word will go far in promoting help for these children and more importantly a lifestyle change for South Africa's poor. Many people will be shocked to learn that Tutu himself was victim to a fire related injury as a child."

Children of Fire is a powerful story that will touch viewers on an emotional as well as intellectual level. From a humanitarian perspective, it is a story that reaches the core of society's responsibility to aid and help one another. These children, who want to be known as survivors rather than, victims, live basically reclusive lives. The children's stories are virtually untold and despite the efforts of the "Children of Fire," charity to educate the town's people, these tragedies still continue.

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