You may have heard me mention in some of my earlier posts that I had to create a magazine and I came up with Gothically. Today I'm going to be sharing with you my rationale. A rationale is almost like a plan/report on planned sales figures, distribution etc and it is useful for editors to work out how their magazine will function. This is what I came up with for my magazine.
Gothically Magazine Rationale
Format
“Gothically” will be a print based magazine, the website which will contain a three page preview to the magazine, however to view the entire content users will have to buy the full version. The magazine will be A4 in size and will be block bound with glossy paper to connote luxury.
Cover Price
The magazine will cost £3.00 per issue to cover the cost of the paper and binding. The price is more than woman’s weeklies suggesting a higher end magazine but is still affordable for the target audience thus giving them an incentive to buy it.
Regularity
“Gothically” will be published monthly to allow time to produce all the content for the magazine. In addition to this, a magazine produced quarterly readership that will be willing to wait for months which a new magazine may not achieve. Monthly publication also allows me to created themed issues.
Sales and Circulation
“Gothic Beauty” has a circulation of 23,000 and is distributed across over 900 retail outlets in America. Bazaar has a much higher circulation of 716,318 and “Kerrang!” has a circulation of 37,603 and a readership of 345,000. U.K based tattoo magazine “Skin Deep” has an average circulation of 31,797 across 13 issues. As my magazine will also be UK based I can predict that the print circulation could roughly reach 31,000.
Readership Profile:
As the name suggests my magazine is targeted at those into the Gothic culture. The articles will have fashion spreads and make-up reviews and therefore will mostly likely appeal to females. My magazine is mostly aimed at the E demographic which is most likely filled with youths. The readers will be most likely aged between 18 and 35 so they are old enough to get tattoos but young enough to wear the clothing featured.
Types of Features:
The magazine will cover a range of topics therefore the features will vary from Voxpops to reviews, to travel writing and personality profiles although all will relate to Gothic Culture.
Freelance Potential
There will be potential for freelance writers however they will be limited to reviews such as gig reviews and makeup reviews.
Launch Party
For the magazine launch there will be a launch festival and an after-party to create a buzz. The event will be promoted on social media to generate excitement. There will be a limited number of tickets for sale to cover the entry into the festival and the club for the after-party. The festival will have stalls selling Gothic attire at a discounted price. The first issue of the magazine will be given to guests free of charge. Special and free invites would be given to Ruby Holiday (Editor of “Gothic Beauty” magazine), Steven Holiday (“Publisher of Gothic Beauty”), Lady Amaranth (“Gothic model”), various editors of other Gothic magazines, several bloggers with a large following and representatives from music festivals and makeup products.
Three Examples of Content
*Personality profile on a Cybergoth who is also an event photographer.
*Travel writing on the alternative hotspots in Huddersfield as part of the “British Goth Spot” tour.
*Six mini makeup reviews.
Bibliography
Circulation and Readership Information
Alliance for Audited Media. (2013). Harper's Bazaar Circulation. Available: http://www.harpersbazaarmediakit.com/r5/showkiosk.asp?listing_id=4736701&category_id=30905. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
Bauer Media Group. (2012). Kerrang!. Available: http://magazines.bauermediaadvertising.com/magazines/detail/kerrang. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
Enthusiast Musik. (2002). Gothic Beauty Ad Deadline. Available: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.music.ambient/R0PbijprxEk. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
Holliday S. (2008). Print Advertising Rate Sheet. Available: http://www.gothicbeauty.com/print-ad-rates.pdf. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
N/A. (N/A). Gothic Beauty Magazine Micro Media Kit. Available: http://justmediakits.com/mediakit/18160-gothic_beauty.html. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
N/A. (2013). Skin Deep. Available: http://www.skindeep.co.uk/advertising/key-facts. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
WorksPB. (2008). Fashion - Stephanie. Available: http://newmediamags.pbworks.com/w/page/13875377/Fashion%20-%20Stephanie. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
Distribution Information
Allison, Melissa and Martinez, Amy. (2007). Gothic beauty is in the eye of the beholder - but advice is plentiful. Available: http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2003574613_retailreport16.html. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
Frequency of Gothic Beauty Magazine Publication
N/A. (N/A). Gothic Beauty - One Year Subscription. Available: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/magazine-gothic-beauty-one-year-subscription/26289304. Last accessed 10th Feb 2014.
Wednesday, 6 August 2014
Freelancing for The Huddersfield Examiner
This article is actually on a recent piece of news in which Kirkless Council may be closing down all but two of Kirkless libraries. I contacted the news desk of the Huddersfield Examiner and wrote this article but I think that they have decided against running it and so I've decided to publish it on here.
Communities have been in uproar after hearing that after several budget cuts from central government, Kirklees council may have to close all but two of the libraries.
After facing dramatic cuts in funding, Kirkless Council has been left with the troubling issue of finding money to cover both statutory duties and to keep as many resources as possible available to the public .
Although it has not yet been confirmed that the libraries will definitely be closing, it is still a potential way of saving money that will cause many citizens to lose their jobs and will lower the accessibility of information to the public.
The leader of resources Cllr Graham Turner said: “I’m not happy about these cuts, it affects people’s lives. We have to protect frontline services and statutory duties. We have a duty to libraries but things are uncertain.
“We are doing the best we can, but this is dependant on buildings although we will aim to keep the home delivery service and translation books. There is a range of services that we will try to preserve but the service cannot stay as it is. We need to be more innovative and if we do find the money we will try to keep remote libraries open.”
Despite the strains caused by the budget cuts, Kirklees Council will be consulting with the public to try and save the libraries, one suggestion was to have members of the public volunteer to work.
Cllr Turner added: “We will have a public consultation although we haven’t yet decided on the form of this. Local Councillors will hold meetings to hear the opinions of the public.
The public may need to help by volunteering and unfortunately not everyone will be able to keep their jobs which we regret deeply.
“None of us enjoy this, as cabinet members we want to make things better but we do still need to prioritise.”
Several members of the public across Kirkless already have formed opinions on the matter and several people have already begun rallying to try and save the libraries.
Calum Stroyan, 20, from Bradley said: “Closing the libraries is not a good thing, it’s taking away resources that people are reliant on to better themselves. People will still need to pay Council Tax even though less resources are available. The council did pay for roads to be redone for the Tour De France yet it’s coming at a cost to our resources.”
Jaydon Berry, 23 from Batley said: “Some smaller libraries don’t have as great of a selection of books so I can see why the council would target them first however it’s still very upsetting. Many families have already faced budget cuts in the form of bills and other monetary things but this is the first time that the budget cuts have adversely affected the freedom of people to obtain information and personal education from a local source.”
A meeting has already been set in Golcar by Clr Hilary Richards to try and save Golcar library.
Communities have been in uproar after hearing that after several budget cuts from central government, Kirklees council may have to close all but two of the libraries.
After facing dramatic cuts in funding, Kirkless Council has been left with the troubling issue of finding money to cover both statutory duties and to keep as many resources as possible available to the public .
Although it has not yet been confirmed that the libraries will definitely be closing, it is still a potential way of saving money that will cause many citizens to lose their jobs and will lower the accessibility of information to the public.
The leader of resources Cllr Graham Turner said: “I’m not happy about these cuts, it affects people’s lives. We have to protect frontline services and statutory duties. We have a duty to libraries but things are uncertain.
“We are doing the best we can, but this is dependant on buildings although we will aim to keep the home delivery service and translation books. There is a range of services that we will try to preserve but the service cannot stay as it is. We need to be more innovative and if we do find the money we will try to keep remote libraries open.”
Despite the strains caused by the budget cuts, Kirklees Council will be consulting with the public to try and save the libraries, one suggestion was to have members of the public volunteer to work.
Cllr Turner added: “We will have a public consultation although we haven’t yet decided on the form of this. Local Councillors will hold meetings to hear the opinions of the public.
The public may need to help by volunteering and unfortunately not everyone will be able to keep their jobs which we regret deeply.
“None of us enjoy this, as cabinet members we want to make things better but we do still need to prioritise.”
Several members of the public across Kirkless already have formed opinions on the matter and several people have already begun rallying to try and save the libraries.
Calum Stroyan, 20, from Bradley said: “Closing the libraries is not a good thing, it’s taking away resources that people are reliant on to better themselves. People will still need to pay Council Tax even though less resources are available. The council did pay for roads to be redone for the Tour De France yet it’s coming at a cost to our resources.”
Jaydon Berry, 23 from Batley said: “Some smaller libraries don’t have as great of a selection of books so I can see why the council would target them first however it’s still very upsetting. Many families have already faced budget cuts in the form of bills and other monetary things but this is the first time that the budget cuts have adversely affected the freedom of people to obtain information and personal education from a local source.”
A meeting has already been set in Golcar by Clr Hilary Richards to try and save Golcar library.
Writing a press release
Hey everyone, I hope that you've been well. This post is going to be a little different in the fact that it isn't going to be a typical feature article. One of my modules is Media and Public Relations where we learn things such as writing press releases. In this post I'm going to be showing you one of my press releases for an imaginary brand of crisps.
Press release for Stalker’s Crisps
STALKERS CRISPS
Rein your tastebuds in…
Stalker’s Crisps, the crisp division of Yorkshire based Assorted Snacks, have announced a new flavour of crisps in celebration of the festive season.
The crisp brand’s Reindeer flavoured crisps will be sold alongside the other popular flavours including: Rabbit Pie, Wild Boar and Apple, Venison and Juniper and Roasted Hedgehog.
Reindeer crisps will be launched on the 1st of December and will be available through the Christmas period until early January when it will revert to its standard range.
Albert Bagham from Associated Snacks had said: “Associated snacks are proud to announce the arrival of Reindeer flavoured crisp which we hope customers will enjoy throughout the festive season.
“Reindeer has a delicate, distinctive flavour which we have distilled into our crisps. Of course, venison is a popular meat in the northern Scandinavian regions and we have taken expert advice from friends in Finland on how best to prepare the perfect Reindeer crisp.
“I am very pleased with the final product which has a meaty, gamey flavour, a perfect accompaniment to Christmas drinks.”
For more information contact:
Albert Bagham
Assorted Snacks Press Office
T: 01484761140
M: 07556321450
email: A.Bagham@Assortedsnacks.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Assorted Snacks have won the award for “The most controversial crisp flavours” in 2011 and 2012.
Assorted Snacks have also won the award for “Tasty and Unique food” at “The Tasty Awards.”
Assorted Snacks are renowned for their “Pumpkin and Sesame seed” crisps for Halloween and “Cow heart” crisps for Valentine’s Day.
Press release for Stalker’s Crisps
STALKERS CRISPS
Rein your tastebuds in…
Stalker’s Crisps, the crisp division of Yorkshire based Assorted Snacks, have announced a new flavour of crisps in celebration of the festive season.
The crisp brand’s Reindeer flavoured crisps will be sold alongside the other popular flavours including: Rabbit Pie, Wild Boar and Apple, Venison and Juniper and Roasted Hedgehog.
Reindeer crisps will be launched on the 1st of December and will be available through the Christmas period until early January when it will revert to its standard range.
Albert Bagham from Associated Snacks had said: “Associated snacks are proud to announce the arrival of Reindeer flavoured crisp which we hope customers will enjoy throughout the festive season.
“Reindeer has a delicate, distinctive flavour which we have distilled into our crisps. Of course, venison is a popular meat in the northern Scandinavian regions and we have taken expert advice from friends in Finland on how best to prepare the perfect Reindeer crisp.
“I am very pleased with the final product which has a meaty, gamey flavour, a perfect accompaniment to Christmas drinks.”
For more information contact:
Albert Bagham
Assorted Snacks Press Office
T: 01484761140
M: 07556321450
email: A.Bagham@Assortedsnacks.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Assorted Snacks have won the award for “The most controversial crisp flavours” in 2011 and 2012.
Assorted Snacks have also won the award for “Tasty and Unique food” at “The Tasty Awards.”
Assorted Snacks are renowned for their “Pumpkin and Sesame seed” crisps for Halloween and “Cow heart” crisps for Valentine’s Day.
Freelancing for Student Wire
I've been really fortunate in the fact that I've been able to freelance and do some articles for online student magazine Student Wire. Here is one of the articles that I wrote which made it to number 4 in the top ten posts in July. If you would like to see more of these types of articles you can find my work on Student Wire under Nina Ross.
Top Ten Pranks To Pull On Your Flatmates
So it’s getting towards spring and April Fools Day is fast approaching which means that it’s time to pull out the pranks! Now this article assumes that you’re good friends with your flatmates, if not then you probably shouldn’t do these pranks as not everyone will find them amusing, but for this article’s sake let’s pretend that you love your flatmates, they’ve recently covered your door in Nicholas Cage images and you want to get them back. Here’s a guide on ten hilarious and ingenious pranks.
The Water Corridor
This prank is time consuming and requires a lot of cups but when done properly can be quite amusing. The basic idea is to wait until your flatmate is out of the flat or is asleep then you take every container, cup, jug etc that you can find and fill it with water, the idea is that you line the entire corridor with water filled containers leading to a very messy wakeup. As stated above if you don’t get on with your flatmates this isn’t a great idea as you will probably be accused of bullying, if however you do all get along this is a great prank to pull.
The Cling Filmed Toilet
This prank is old but still gold, if you share a bathroom with your flatmates then there is truly nothing funnier than when they’re drunk or sleepy and stumble to the toilet for a midnight wee. What’s even funnier though is when they stumble for a wee and find that it doesn’t go into the toilet due to a fine layer of cling film across the toilet seat. This prank can be messy and unhygienic so if you’re not prepared to clean up urine then it’s not a good idea. If however you don’t mind getting your hands dirty it is quite amusing.
The Post-it Palaver
So unlike the other two pranks this one is a nice clean one but still incredibly amusing, it requires a ton of post-it notes but if you were smart and raided Fresher’s Fair then this shouldn’t be a problem. You enter your friends room and you label every single item that you can find, for example the television should be labelled television etc. It sounds silly but it is hilarious seeing your flatmate walk into a room covered in neon post-it notes and the best thing is there’s not a massive amount of mess to clear up afterwards either.
Balloon Bonanza
This prank is especially good if you don’t want to clear up mess and don’t have access to your flatmates room. For this prank you will need a lot of balloons but you can easily get them in huge packs from Poundland so don’t worry about the cost. This idea works best if you’re working in a group to pull it off. The basic idea is to blow up as many balloons as possible and to let them loose in the corridor. As you can imagine the look on your flatmate’s face is a beautiful sight when they walk into the flat only to be pelted with coloured balloons.
Reversible Clothing
This prank does require you to be able to enter your flatmates room but is simple yet genius. The idea is to open up their wardrobe take everything off of the coat hangers and to turn each item inside out before hanging it back up. The best part of this prank is that it is mess-free and cost friendly. Once your prank is complete sit back and relax and listen out for cries of dismay when they decide to change into their onesie.
A Side Order of Mayo
This is quite a messy trick but can be incredibly amusing. You will need some cling film and some mayonnaise, the idea is to squirt the mayonnaise (or any condiment of your fancy) onto the door handle and then to wrap Clingfilm round it. This leaves your flatmates with only one option if they want to get into their room which is to get their hands dirty. I’d recommend mayonnaise or salad cream as it’s least likely to stain a carpet and let’s face it, who wants to be scrubbing brown sauce out of a cream carpet?
Food Fun
This is a mess free joke but is still highly amusing, you will only need either a permanent marker or a sharpie, either or will do. The idea is to write silly things and of course if your male to draw penises all over food. Your friends beans? Cover it in swear words? Your neighbours Jam Tarts? Write a joke on it, be creative and as immature as you like, because don’t forget guys, you’re only a student once!
Right Way Up
This is a very time consuming joke so if like me you’re plain lazy or you’re constantly busy then this isn’t the prank for you. The idea of this prank is to turn as many of your friends’ items upside down this includes chairs, the kitchen table, cans of pop etc. Just be savvy and think before you flip, an upside down kettle or freezer will end up in disaster.
Label Laughs
For this joke you will need a sharpie, some paper and a glue stick. The aim of this prank is to take the labels off of tins and replace the labels with your own hand made labels. For example a can of beans will be relabelled to Mushrooms. If you’re nice you can write on the bottom of the tin what it actually is when the joke is over, but don’t mention that until your flatmate gets incredibly frustrated.
I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to try out as many of these pranks as you wish, and if you have a particular good one to recommend feel free to post it in the comments.
Top Ten Pranks To Pull On Your Flatmates
So it’s getting towards spring and April Fools Day is fast approaching which means that it’s time to pull out the pranks! Now this article assumes that you’re good friends with your flatmates, if not then you probably shouldn’t do these pranks as not everyone will find them amusing, but for this article’s sake let’s pretend that you love your flatmates, they’ve recently covered your door in Nicholas Cage images and you want to get them back. Here’s a guide on ten hilarious and ingenious pranks.
The Water Corridor
This prank is time consuming and requires a lot of cups but when done properly can be quite amusing. The basic idea is to wait until your flatmate is out of the flat or is asleep then you take every container, cup, jug etc that you can find and fill it with water, the idea is that you line the entire corridor with water filled containers leading to a very messy wakeup. As stated above if you don’t get on with your flatmates this isn’t a great idea as you will probably be accused of bullying, if however you do all get along this is a great prank to pull.
The Cling Filmed Toilet
This prank is old but still gold, if you share a bathroom with your flatmates then there is truly nothing funnier than when they’re drunk or sleepy and stumble to the toilet for a midnight wee. What’s even funnier though is when they stumble for a wee and find that it doesn’t go into the toilet due to a fine layer of cling film across the toilet seat. This prank can be messy and unhygienic so if you’re not prepared to clean up urine then it’s not a good idea. If however you don’t mind getting your hands dirty it is quite amusing.
The Post-it Palaver
So unlike the other two pranks this one is a nice clean one but still incredibly amusing, it requires a ton of post-it notes but if you were smart and raided Fresher’s Fair then this shouldn’t be a problem. You enter your friends room and you label every single item that you can find, for example the television should be labelled television etc. It sounds silly but it is hilarious seeing your flatmate walk into a room covered in neon post-it notes and the best thing is there’s not a massive amount of mess to clear up afterwards either.
Balloon Bonanza
This prank is especially good if you don’t want to clear up mess and don’t have access to your flatmates room. For this prank you will need a lot of balloons but you can easily get them in huge packs from Poundland so don’t worry about the cost. This idea works best if you’re working in a group to pull it off. The basic idea is to blow up as many balloons as possible and to let them loose in the corridor. As you can imagine the look on your flatmate’s face is a beautiful sight when they walk into the flat only to be pelted with coloured balloons.
Reversible Clothing
This prank does require you to be able to enter your flatmates room but is simple yet genius. The idea is to open up their wardrobe take everything off of the coat hangers and to turn each item inside out before hanging it back up. The best part of this prank is that it is mess-free and cost friendly. Once your prank is complete sit back and relax and listen out for cries of dismay when they decide to change into their onesie.
A Side Order of Mayo
This is quite a messy trick but can be incredibly amusing. You will need some cling film and some mayonnaise, the idea is to squirt the mayonnaise (or any condiment of your fancy) onto the door handle and then to wrap Clingfilm round it. This leaves your flatmates with only one option if they want to get into their room which is to get their hands dirty. I’d recommend mayonnaise or salad cream as it’s least likely to stain a carpet and let’s face it, who wants to be scrubbing brown sauce out of a cream carpet?
Food Fun
This is a mess free joke but is still highly amusing, you will only need either a permanent marker or a sharpie, either or will do. The idea is to write silly things and of course if your male to draw penises all over food. Your friends beans? Cover it in swear words? Your neighbours Jam Tarts? Write a joke on it, be creative and as immature as you like, because don’t forget guys, you’re only a student once!
Right Way Up
This is a very time consuming joke so if like me you’re plain lazy or you’re constantly busy then this isn’t the prank for you. The idea of this prank is to turn as many of your friends’ items upside down this includes chairs, the kitchen table, cans of pop etc. Just be savvy and think before you flip, an upside down kettle or freezer will end up in disaster.
Label Laughs
For this joke you will need a sharpie, some paper and a glue stick. The aim of this prank is to take the labels off of tins and replace the labels with your own hand made labels. For example a can of beans will be relabelled to Mushrooms. If you’re nice you can write on the bottom of the tin what it actually is when the joke is over, but don’t mention that until your flatmate gets incredibly frustrated.
I hope you enjoyed this post, feel free to try out as many of these pranks as you wish, and if you have a particular good one to recommend feel free to post it in the comments.
Travel Writing Piece for Gothically Magazine
One of my assignments for my Magazine Journalism Module was to create three feature articles for a made up magazine and to come up with a rationale for a magazine. I created one called Gothically which I decided would be a magazine based around Gothic Culture - something which I find really interesting. Here is my travel writing piece for it.
Disclaimer - As far as I'm aware there isn't a British Goth Hotspot Tour I invented it for the purpose of this article. Also I got my grades back for this task (for the three feature pieces and rationale and I got a First, yay!)
As part of the British Gothic Hotspot Tour, we’ve been travelling around Britain hunting down the hottest places for Goths across Britain. This month we stopped off in Huddersfield, from Gothic attire to the creepiest of listed buildings we’ve compiled a short list of the top places to visit in Huddersfield. [See Picture A]
In West Yorkshire close to Bradford, Huddersfield is often overlooked when discussing the most fascinating places in Britain to visit, yet enriched in history, filled with beautiful historical buildings and home to famous poet Simon Armitage (writer of I am Very Bothered) and popular 40’s actor James Mason, Huddersfield is one of the most underrated towns to visit.
Usually when people arrive at a new destination the first thing on their mind is getting a bite to eat and for Goths one of the most enticing places to eat is the Rock Café on Ramsden Street.
Renowned for its large portions of food at unbeatable prices, the Rock Café also holds weekly band nights every Sunday where local rock bands can come and play their music. The Rock Café has also started hosting “Goth gatherings” and was described by The Huddersfield Examiner as “Emulating Whitby with its own Goth Gathering.” Organised by alternative clothing shop “Witchcraft and Wiseman” Goths from across Huddersfield all flocked to the café for a night filled with music (featuring band Bad Pollyanna), shopping and chatter.
Witchcraft and Wiseman is a shop in Huddersfield’s famous “Queensgate Market” and sells Gothic attire, jewellery and incense amongst other things such as ornaments and gifts. Owned by mother and daughter Sue and Peggy Mullen, this stall is a haven for all fans of alternative culture and lifestyle.
Another stall in Queensgate Market which will appeal to fan of Gothic Culture, is Joker666 a piercing and tattoo studio run by Sean McNamara and Rob Dakin. Customers can get tattoos and can decide between a variety of piercings. Joker666 also sells Gothic jewellery including a range of studs, hoops and stretchers alongside necklaces and rings to appeal to a broader audience.
Sean McNamara the owner of Joker 666 said: “Chris Cotton of Kirkless Market asked us to move to Queensgate market, we get fantastic business, we’re not here to rip people off we’re here to provide a professional service at a good price. In Huddersfield there’s a great culture and a mix of people.”
In Kirkburton approximately twenty minutes away is Castle Hill and Victoria Tower. For those interested in history or with an eye for beauty, Castle Hill and Victoria Tower is lovely to walk around and offers breathtaking views and scenery particularly at sunset.
The Storthes Hall Asylum, is incredibly creepy. Derelict and rumoured to be haunted this listed building dates back to 1904. There are tours every Halloween in which visitors can view the remaining buildings and learn about the history of those who were imprisoned inside. [See Picture B]
For those who enjoy and loud and fun night out, Parish is the place to be. Located on Parish Street, the pub hosts several music events alongside its own eating challenge and is always full on a Friday night.
Carol Amitrano, 50, who works for Huddersfield Tourist Information said: “The best features of Huddersfield are the countryside and the historic buildings. There are a lot of excellent concerts in the town hall particularly classical composers and the wide culture means that there is something for everyone.”
Huddersfield may not be a sprawling city or a coastal town but it is definitely worth a visit and we will definitely be returning.
Disclaimer - As far as I'm aware there isn't a British Goth Hotspot Tour I invented it for the purpose of this article. Also I got my grades back for this task (for the three feature pieces and rationale and I got a First, yay!)
As part of the British Gothic Hotspot Tour, we’ve been travelling around Britain hunting down the hottest places for Goths across Britain. This month we stopped off in Huddersfield, from Gothic attire to the creepiest of listed buildings we’ve compiled a short list of the top places to visit in Huddersfield. [See Picture A]
In West Yorkshire close to Bradford, Huddersfield is often overlooked when discussing the most fascinating places in Britain to visit, yet enriched in history, filled with beautiful historical buildings and home to famous poet Simon Armitage (writer of I am Very Bothered) and popular 40’s actor James Mason, Huddersfield is one of the most underrated towns to visit.
Usually when people arrive at a new destination the first thing on their mind is getting a bite to eat and for Goths one of the most enticing places to eat is the Rock Café on Ramsden Street.
Renowned for its large portions of food at unbeatable prices, the Rock Café also holds weekly band nights every Sunday where local rock bands can come and play their music. The Rock Café has also started hosting “Goth gatherings” and was described by The Huddersfield Examiner as “Emulating Whitby with its own Goth Gathering.” Organised by alternative clothing shop “Witchcraft and Wiseman” Goths from across Huddersfield all flocked to the café for a night filled with music (featuring band Bad Pollyanna), shopping and chatter.
Witchcraft and Wiseman is a shop in Huddersfield’s famous “Queensgate Market” and sells Gothic attire, jewellery and incense amongst other things such as ornaments and gifts. Owned by mother and daughter Sue and Peggy Mullen, this stall is a haven for all fans of alternative culture and lifestyle.
Another stall in Queensgate Market which will appeal to fan of Gothic Culture, is Joker666 a piercing and tattoo studio run by Sean McNamara and Rob Dakin. Customers can get tattoos and can decide between a variety of piercings. Joker666 also sells Gothic jewellery including a range of studs, hoops and stretchers alongside necklaces and rings to appeal to a broader audience.
Sean McNamara the owner of Joker 666 said: “Chris Cotton of Kirkless Market asked us to move to Queensgate market, we get fantastic business, we’re not here to rip people off we’re here to provide a professional service at a good price. In Huddersfield there’s a great culture and a mix of people.”
In Kirkburton approximately twenty minutes away is Castle Hill and Victoria Tower. For those interested in history or with an eye for beauty, Castle Hill and Victoria Tower is lovely to walk around and offers breathtaking views and scenery particularly at sunset.
The Storthes Hall Asylum, is incredibly creepy. Derelict and rumoured to be haunted this listed building dates back to 1904. There are tours every Halloween in which visitors can view the remaining buildings and learn about the history of those who were imprisoned inside. [See Picture B]
For those who enjoy and loud and fun night out, Parish is the place to be. Located on Parish Street, the pub hosts several music events alongside its own eating challenge and is always full on a Friday night.
Carol Amitrano, 50, who works for Huddersfield Tourist Information said: “The best features of Huddersfield are the countryside and the historic buildings. There are a lot of excellent concerts in the town hall particularly classical composers and the wide culture means that there is something for everyone.”
Huddersfield may not be a sprawling city or a coastal town but it is definitely worth a visit and we will definitely be returning.
Writing an Obituary
In my Journalism Principles and Practice Module we covered how to write obituaries. I didn't know that there were so many rules and things to include so I thought it was quite interesting to learn the correct formula. Before I do reveal my first attempt I would like to point out that thankfully Vivienne Westwood is not dead, out tutor just wanted to test out research skills and our obituary writing skills. Without further ado here is mine.
Today fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has died of a heart attack on the catwalk at Paris fashion week aged 72.
Vivienne Isabel Westwood (previously Swire) was born in Glossop, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom on April 8th 1941 to Gordon Swire and Dora Swire (Nee Ball).
Her parents worked as a cobbler and as a cotton mill worker respectively before running a sub post office in Tintwistle after the war, the family moved to North West London after this.
The famous fashion designer left Glossop Grammar school aged 16 and briefly attended Harrow Art College but didn’t believe that she could make something of herself and consequently dropped out and became a factory worker.
In 1962 Ms Westwood married Derek Westwood, birthed her first child Benjamin Westwood in 1963 and became a teacher however her marriage dissolved and she met Malcom Mclaren future manager of the Sex Pistols, with whom she had her second child Joseph Ferdinand Corre in 1967.
In 1971 McLaren opened up a boutique shop on Kings Street, London and filled it with Westwood’s designs, it was named “Let it rock” and triggered her fame after she dressed Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols band members.
In 1993, ten years after she split with Mclaren, she married a second time to her assistant Andreas Kronthaler who is 25 years her junior. Before she died the pair lived in South London.
In 1991 she was named “British designer of the year” for the first time and in 1992 was given an OBE (Order of the British Empire), she also won the Queen’s export award in 1998.
In 2007 she was awarded the gong for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design at the British Fashion Awards and in 2010 she was honoured at a ceremony for the Prince Phillips Designer Prize and received a special commendation for her contribution to design from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
In 2011 she went with her photographer Juergen Teller to Africa to work on her autumn/winter 2011-12 Ethical Fashion Africa collection – a programme which enlists thousands of local women to use their skills to produce bags for Westwood for a fair wage.
Her son Benjamin is an erotica photographer and her son Joseph is the founder of popular underwear brand, Agent Provocateur.
Price’s funeral home will be taking care of Ms Westwood’s body, she has requested that her ashes be scattered outside Buckingham Palace.
Today fashion designer Vivienne Westwood has died of a heart attack on the catwalk at Paris fashion week aged 72.
Vivienne Isabel Westwood (previously Swire) was born in Glossop, Derbyshire in the United Kingdom on April 8th 1941 to Gordon Swire and Dora Swire (Nee Ball).
Her parents worked as a cobbler and as a cotton mill worker respectively before running a sub post office in Tintwistle after the war, the family moved to North West London after this.
The famous fashion designer left Glossop Grammar school aged 16 and briefly attended Harrow Art College but didn’t believe that she could make something of herself and consequently dropped out and became a factory worker.
In 1962 Ms Westwood married Derek Westwood, birthed her first child Benjamin Westwood in 1963 and became a teacher however her marriage dissolved and she met Malcom Mclaren future manager of the Sex Pistols, with whom she had her second child Joseph Ferdinand Corre in 1967.
In 1971 McLaren opened up a boutique shop on Kings Street, London and filled it with Westwood’s designs, it was named “Let it rock” and triggered her fame after she dressed Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols band members.
In 1993, ten years after she split with Mclaren, she married a second time to her assistant Andreas Kronthaler who is 25 years her junior. Before she died the pair lived in South London.
In 1991 she was named “British designer of the year” for the first time and in 1992 was given an OBE (Order of the British Empire), she also won the Queen’s export award in 1998.
In 2007 she was awarded the gong for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design at the British Fashion Awards and in 2010 she was honoured at a ceremony for the Prince Phillips Designer Prize and received a special commendation for her contribution to design from HRH the Duke of Edinburgh.
In 2011 she went with her photographer Juergen Teller to Africa to work on her autumn/winter 2011-12 Ethical Fashion Africa collection – a programme which enlists thousands of local women to use their skills to produce bags for Westwood for a fair wage.
Her son Benjamin is an erotica photographer and her son Joseph is the founder of popular underwear brand, Agent Provocateur.
Price’s funeral home will be taking care of Ms Westwood’s body, she has requested that her ashes be scattered outside Buckingham Palace.
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