GUILD BRIEFING NOTES Issued by the British Guild of Travel Writers

No. 17 - July 2004

Dear All,

Another three months has flown by and I am happy to report that the Guild and its members are all as active and successful as ever. We have also welcomed another five new members to our ranks; their details are listed below. We have had a full and varied calendar of events this year including discussions on Travel Health, how to syndicate your work, the links between Sports and Travel Writing (in honour of this summer�s spectacular sporting calendar) and July�s visit to the National Portrait Gallery to see their exhibition �Off the Beaten Track: Three Centuries of Women Travellers�. Tickets for this year�s Awards Dinner at the Savoy on 7th November are nearly sold out and it promises to be another glittering occasion, sponsored by Tourism Ireland.

To take a more serious note for a moment. As well as celebrating the successes of our members� achievements, I would also like to pass on a plea that I am receiving from many of them regarding press releases and brochures. You spend a huge amount of money on sending us your new brochures and the reality of the situation, which you must realise, is that many of them end up in the bin. We simply don�t have the space to keep them all. Chances are that if we then need them later in the year, we�ll be on the phone asking you to send them again. Instead, please will you start sending simple press releases (email will usually do) saying that the new brochure is out and available for anyone who would like a copy, and detailing any new developments. That way you save money and trees and we don�t feel so guilty about the paper mountain in the recycling box.

And speaking of emails, members are also asking you not to send complicated emails with masses of space guzzling photos and jazzy logos attached. Many people do not yet have broadband so they take forever to download, and if we are away for any length of time they can really clog up the box and start emails bouncing back to sender. We are extremely happy to have simpler emails with a note saying that pictures are available and, if relevant, a hotlink to a website where we can download those we need.

I hope to meet up with many of you at events through the year. If you would like to make contact with the Guild, have any comments or suggestions or wish to host a meeting for our members, please do get in touch with me.

Melissa Shales Tel: 020 8674 7406 Email: m.shales@virgin.net

LAST CALL � BGTW TOURISM AWARDS

The closing date for entries for this year�s coveted BGTW Tourism awards is 16th August. If you have any suitable projects that you feel would be worthy of winning, you must make sure that a Guild member gets to see them before then. Only Guild members are allowed to nominate projects.

Just to remind you of the details � these awards are nominated and judged by BGTW members and are intended to reward responsible tourism developments both in the UK and Overseas which offer strong local, economic and community benefits.

The Categories are as follows:

Best Overseas Tourism Project is given for the best new (less than 2 years old) overseas tourism project that not only has a tourist potential but is of benefit to the local community and environment. Best UK Tourism Project is awarded for the best new (less than two years old) tourism project in the UK, which likewise has tourist potential but also benefits the local community and environment. The Globe Award is given to a major new (less than 2 years old) tourism project worldwide, with projected ticket sales of over 250,000 per year. Like the other awards, it should combine responsible tourism development with local economic, environmental and community benefits. If you require any further information, or require some guidance on finding a member to nominate your project, then please contact Tourism Awards Organiser, David Prest, on 020 7922 1120 or email davidprest@whistledown.net.

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GUILD MEMBERS - COMINGS AND GOINGS

JANE ANSON

Jane Anson is based in southwest France, and has spent the last month travelling throughout the region looking at its food and wines, from Bordeaux down to the Spanish Pyrenees, for Decanter magazine, and discovering new hotels in the region for various guidebooks.

Upcoming trips include Tuscany, for the opening of the University of Gastronomic Science, and Alsace for the grape harvest. Jane also has plans to be in Chile by the end of the year. Any commissions on these would be welcomed.

Jane Anson Superbie St Seve La Reole 33190 Gironde France +33 55 66 14 808 elizabethjaneanson@yahoo.com

JUDY ARMSTRONG

Judy Armstrong has just completed photographic and writing sessions on sea kayaking in the Outer Hebrides, mountain biking in France and hill walking in both France and the Scottish Highlands. She will be in Britain through summer and France through autumn, and would be delighted to do more of the same on request. Contact judy.journalist@virgin.net or tel 01751 417371

DAVID ATKINSON

David Atkinson is just back from a six-month stint living and working in La Paz, Bolivia, and is now settling back into freelance life in tropical North London. He's also working through a slew of material ... from the last days of Che Guevara to piranha finishing in Bolivian Amazonia. Check out his website www.intrepidtravel.com/atkinson

David Atkinson (H) 020 7226 7964 (M) 07974 390436 (E) atkinson.david@virgin.net Member of the British Guild of Travel Writers Cuttings: www.travelwriters.com/davidatkinson Travels in Latin America: www.intrepidtravel.com/atkinson Representation: www.travelintelligence.net/wsd/writers/writ_1163.html

KEN BENNETT

Ken Bennett, who writes for Trinity-Mirror Regionals, Newsquest UK, and a growing portfolio of key regional morning, evening and Sundays, has added the Majorca Daily Bulletin - a daily which is read by than 90,000 on British holidaymakers favourite sunshine isle.

For further information - and updated newspaper review list - contact: kd_bennett@yahoo.co.uk or call: 07802 966 922 (24:7)

ANNETTE BROWN

Annette Brown, former Guild chairman, travels through the States for five weeks in August and early September, via Nashville - to take an Arab stallion she bred from Tennessee to Denver, Colorado to be awarded "Living Legend" status (made only once every 25 years) - then (alone) to LA, San Francisco, over to Washington, down to southern Virginia for more horse business and panel speaker at the annual Arabian Breeders Convention.

Any takers for any stories etc? annettebrown@lineone.net (before 30 July or after 9 September).

REG BUTLER

Despite white hair, Reg Butler continues to nip around at snail velocity, giving more time to glean in-depth text and new-angle pix. Since December, Reg has stored plentiful material for consumer and trade features on German Christmas markets; Antwerp & Ghent; Tower of London; Austrian Tyrol; Chateaux and Gateaux of the Loire. Next week: Thomas Hardy country, and then the outer Scottish islands. Maybe the Little Trains of Wales which, like Reg, are still puffing away. Email contact: reg@dsptech.demon.co.uk

REG BUTLER - TRAVEL SPECIALIST - Travel Editor: www.laterlife.com/travel Email: reg@dsptech.demon.co.uk Tel: (44)-1494-881379; Fax: (44)-1494-882288 Whin Cottage, Frieth, near Henley, Oxfordshire, RG9 6PB - ENGLAND

DAVID CHURCHILL

All post, etc for David Churchill should be sent to his new office address at: Suite 659, 456-458 Strand, London, WC2R 0DZ. Telephone number is 0794 133 1354 and email remains the same at dc_churchill@yahoo.co.uk.

JOE CAWLEY

Joe Cawley swaps Gore-tex and pen for Pampers and rattle in July. He and his partner Joy are expecting the next generation of travel writers to appear around the 21st - though if the new arrival is anything like his dad, he'll probably be late.

With feet firmly grounded in fatherly slippers, Joe will be turning out copy about his home patch, the Canary Islands until immediate paternal duties are fulfilled and Joy gives him his passport back.

Any outlets requiring Canary Islands copy can contact Joe at writer@joecawley.co.uk or on 00 34 922 857002 or 00 34 676 711285

Joe Cawley Freelance travel writer (Sunday Times, The Times, Guardian, New York Post, . . .) British Guild of Travel Writers Outdoor Writers' Guild writer@joecawley.co.uk www.joecawley.co.uk

CHARLIE CONNELLY

Charlie Connelly tells us : " My book Attention All Shipping: A Journey Round the Shipping Forecast was published by Little, Brown at the start of June, and is doing pretty well. It's on its fourth edition already, it was serialised in the Daily Telegraph and was Radio 4's Book of the Week during the week of June 21st. I also gave a lecture about the book to the Royal Geographical Society.

My schedule includes speaking at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on August 17th, the Folkestone Literary Festival on September 29th and appearing on Excess Baggage Saturday 24th July.

JULIET COOMBE

From Juliet Coombe: Co-founder of Get Lost Travel magazine in Australia in April 2004 and the publication is coming to the UK from July 2005

Get lost: What happens when perpetual travellers bump into each other on a Himalayan pass and stop moving for just one second? They tell any passing porter who'll listen just how good travelling is. 'Course if they thought big enough, they'd start a magazine. I did. It's called get lost! and I am looking for all sorts of interesting news stories and features that talk to a new breed of traveller: an Immersion Traveller. Getting out there, getting stuck in. Soaking it all up? You're more absorbent than paper towel. And you want a travel mag that involves you, right?

I am looking for Funky festivals, freaky food, full-on fashion? Hip hang-outs, treacherous treks and blinding beaches: got it covered. Motorbiking Mongolia and dune-bashing Dubai; creeping through Cambodia and navigating the North Pole? Tick. Where do the Moulin Rouge girls go drinking and how d'ya buy a gun in Yemen? Sorted. All this and you: your stories, your photos, your confessions. New places or old, we're not fussy. Boredom is not an option. There's no place so old you can't do something new. If you have something crazy to say email juliet@getlostmag.com

SUE DOBSON

Sue Dobson, 2004 thus far Cruises: Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel; Dnieper River, Ukraine. Cities: Cairo, Aswan, Sydney, Singapore, Kiev, Prague, Brussels, Nimes, Budapest, Montreux, Copenhagen, Malmo, Verona. Destinations: New Zealand, North and South Islands. Corsica, the Balagne. Commissions welcome! Quality 35mm transparencies and digital images available for destinations worldwide. Sue Dobson, tel: 01832 280815, email: sue@freelancefeatures.com

JANE EGGINTON

Jane has just been commissioned to write a guide to buying property in Eastern Europe and will be travelling to Croatia and Bulgaria in the next few months. She will also be writing a book to living and working in Australia and is off to Sydney at the end of the year.

Jane Egginton 64 Fleet Road Hampstead London NW3 2QT Tel. 07956 934 768 jegginton@btopenworld.com

PAUL GOGARTY

Paul Gogarty's latest book, The Coast Road - A 3000 Mile Journey Round the Edge of England) was published on June 17 by Robson Books (�18.99 ISBN 1 86105 726 1).

Val Hennessy in the Daily Mail chose it as her Critics Choice on July 9, writing "The English coastline is as English as it gets, and no one depicts its glories and grottiness more entertainingly than Paul Gogarty." Carl Wilkinson in the Observer wrote on July 4 "what Gogarty does best is handle a vast topic with a light touch. 'The Coast Road' is absorbing and informative but also alive to the humour of the English seaside..." If anyone would like review copies, please contact Sharon Benjamin at Robson Books on 020 7314 1504

JIM GRACIE

Guild member Jim Gracie has been commissioned to write the 24,000-word text for a new coffee table book entitled "Spectacular Scotland", published by Duncan Baird Publishing of London mainly for the American market. This book will measure 12" by 18", so it'll need a hefty coffee table to take it. The same goes for a tea table. He's been asked to write the intro for each chapter plus the photograph captions. He's got until the end of the year to do it, and it's due for publication sometime in early 2005. At the same time he's updating his book "The Hidden Places of Scotland" for Travel Publishing, which was originally due out at the begining of 2004, but was postponed until 2005.

Both books will be available in all good bookshops, and no doubt a few mediocre ones as well.

NICKI GRIHAULT

Nicki Grihault is off to Puerto Rico for the second time at the end of July, to cover the salsa congress and explore the 'Spanish Virgin Islands'. Plans for the next couple of months include on the trail of the Dodo in Mauritius and learning bushman survival skills in Northern Botswana. Contact tel 020 7631 1418, email nickig@mailbox.co.uk

JEREMY IN JAPAN

In September, Jeremy Hoare is making his second trip to Kyoto Japan in 2004, this time to exhibit 'TONGA - POLYNESIA'S KINGDOM' at Naniwa Art Zone Gallery, previously shown at the Royal Commonwealth Society going into the Millennium. He will also be shooting a ballet on video and will be there for two months so for Kyoto picture requests contact: jeremyhoare@hotmail.com

MICHAEL HOWORTH

Michael Howorth a new member, who specialises in luxury at or near the sea has a busy schedule from now until the end of the year. This will include voyages aboard the Trinity House lighthouse support ship Patricia, The Royal Mail Ship St Helena sailing the coast of South West Africa and Namibia and hopefully a voyage to Antarctica still in the planning stages. Add to that; his travels en route will take him to Ascension Island, St Helena, Cape Town, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Fort Lauderdale Monaco as well as the Caribbean islands of Saint Maarten and Antigua, it seems inconceivable that he is seeking additional commissions from such trips, but he is! As usual, his wife; Frances and her trusty Nikon will be at his side taking photographs that frequently make his writing superfluous. If you need either please contact: Michael@thehoworths.com

TONY KELLY

Tony Kelly has been named Travel Writer of the Year by the Spanish Tourist Office in London for his article on the Jerez horse fair in Living Spain magazine. He received the award from shoe designer Manolo Blahnik during the STEPS trade fair in London. Tony is currently completing a new guidebook to Mallorca and updating his existing guidebooks to Menorca and the Costa Brava. T 01223 892553 E tony@tonykellytravelwriter.co.uk

TIM LOCKE

Tim Locke (tim_locke@onetel.net.uk) is researching information for the Sunday Times/Cadogan book Buying a Property in Turkey. He would be glad to hear from anyone (by the end of July) who owns property in Turkey, or to make contact with any estate agents specialising in selling Turkish properties to foreigners.

Tim Locke Travel Writer and Editor 73 Paddock Lane Lewes East Sussex BN7 1TW 01273 475381 timlocke@wpu.org.uk tim_locke@onetel.net.uk

PAUL MANSFIELD

Paul Mansfield was named Travel Journalist of 2004 in last month's Visit USA Media Awards for an article in the Daily Telegraph about Alabama. He also won the award for best newspaper feature. Since then he's been in Bournemouth, Florence and Gibraltar, with an unexpected trip to the US planned for the autumn - as the competition prize.

paulmans1@aol.com tel: 44 (0) 1273 505067

TERRY MARSH

Hot from a week organising a walking festival in the Isle of Man, TERRY MARSH had a two-hour turn round before driving to Picardy to work on a special feature, Now safely back home, he's beavering away at books on the North West of England , and the Chilterns, before returning to France in September to visit Cathar country. Plans for later in the year include a trip to Canada, and more trips to France.

Terry Marsh Freelance Outdoor and Travel Writer and Photographer Organiser: Isle of Man Walking Festival Join the 2004 Walking Festival (see www.isleofmanwalking.com for details).

PO Box 520, Bamber Bridge, PRESTON, Lancashire PR5 8LF Tel: 01772 321243; Fax: 0870 137 8888; Mobile: 07968 122741 Websites: www.countrymatters.net and www.countryimages.info

ROBIN MEAD

Robin Mead (020 8346 3772) is all at sea this summer - comparing cruise ships and destinations he heads first to Iceland and Greenland, then across the Mediterranean, back to the Western Mediterranean, and down to the Canaries. It will be all very photogenic and good practice for his now-customary winter lecturing odyssey, which in January/February 2005 will be to Venezuela and the Eastern Caribbean.

ROBIN MCKELVIE

Robin McKelvie is currently researching the first Bradt guides to both Slovenia and Ljubljana. He is also planning a November trip to South Africa, with a bit of time in between for any short press trips to emerging or improved destinations. Email@ robinmckelvie@hotmail.com

Robin McKelvie, Travel Writer and Photographer. Member British Guild of Travel Writers, Outdoor Writers Guild, Bureau of Freelance Photographers, Royal Commonwealth Society, The Press Club

Tel: +44 (0)131 3314277.

Published in over forty magazines and newspapers worldwide including The Guardian, Independent on Sunday, Independent Magazine, Sunday Herald, Rugby World, Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday, Global Magazine, Wanderlust, CNN Traveller, British Airways Executive Club Magazine, Trailfinders, TNT, SX, The Australian, Business Traveller, Boom Magazine for Millionaires, Highstyle, International High Flyer, Classic Travel, ABTA Travelspirit, Cruise Traveller, Luxury Travel Magazine, Travel Weekly.

Guidebooks - Insight Great European Railway Journeys, Thomas Cook Time for Food Edinburgh, Insight Croatia, Berlitz Croatia. Regular updates of Columbus city guides to Amsterdam, Bologna, Berlin, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Riga, Lisbon, Hanover, Santiago de Compostela, Krakow, Venice and London.

ALASTAIR McKENZIE

Alastair McKenzie's online directory, Travel-Lists, has gone mobile.

Holiday news, bargain tip-offs, and a subset of directory lists are now available on WAP-enabled phones at www.travel-lists.co.uk/wap or through Bango # 87283554787.

Alastair is also supplying lists, news, and other bespoke content in XML format for online and offline publishing.

t. 020 8341 2866 e. alastair@travel-lists.co.uk

GRAHAM GENDALL NORTON

Graham Gendall Norton has been invited to be the guest lecturer on the re-positioning cruise of one of P & O's newest ships, the Oceana , as she moves to the Caribbean for the winter season, sailing from Southampton on October 30th.

As Senior Contributing Editor of The LIAT Islander, the inflight magazine of Antigua and now also Barbados based LIAT, "The Airline of the Caribbean", and a chapter writer for the Footprint Caribbean Islands Handbook he visits the region frequently.

His lecture subjects will include "Nelson in the Caribbean": Next year sees the 200th anniversary of the admiral's victory and death at Trafalgar. Another Nelson story: he has recently returned from Gibraltar, which this year celebrates 300 years of being British. Nelson's "Victory" came to Gibraltar with his body, before sailing with it to Britain.

Other recent assignments of Graham's have included two assignments in Switzerland, one in Finland, and a trip to Colmar in Alsace, France. He is Travel Correspondent of The Church of England Newspaper and a regular contributor to The Times' Register pages.

DAVID PREST

Guild Vice-Chair David Prest has recently completed the restoration of his gorgeous green 1932 Wolseley Hornet Special. As recently featured in the travel pages of the Express, the car is highly photogenic and ideal for livening up brochures or press launches. Alternatively, if you'd like a feature on vintage car breaks, then give David a ring on 0207 922 1120, davidprest@whistledown.net

JOHN RULER

Having just finished the history and guide to his own home town of Bromley (part of a series to which one other guild member at least has contributed) John Ruler is looking forward to getting back in the saddle, with short breaks (if that is the appropriate word) in Cumbria and Wales. Of his Bromley book, John reckons that the research, stretching back to Saxon times, along with interviews etc has been one of the most taxing, but rewarding, commisssions for some while. It also shows where travel-writing can take you...

JON SPARKS

Jon Sparks has just surfaced after a frenetic five weeks working on a walks and cycle rides guide for the AA. He'll just have time for a few deep breaths before heading down to Snowdonia to wrap up work on 'Scrambles and Easy Climbs' there, on which he is collaborating with fellow Guild member Tom Hutton - a follow-up to the very successful 'Scrambles and Easy Climbs in the Lake District'. And after that he will be busy on two photographic books, one on his home town of Lancaster and one on Lancashire, adding substantially to his already very extensive library of images.

Jon Sparks +44 (0)1524 381077 www.jon-sparks.co.uk jsparks@dircon.co.uk jonsparks@mac.com

GILLIAN THORNTON

Gillian has continued to expand her knowledge of France with trips to Vichy and the Auvergne, Limoges and the Limousin, Ariege, and Burgundy's Cote d'Or. The Vercors and the lavender routes beckon, followed by Biarritz, Pau and the Dordogne, with Corfu and Val do Lobo just for variety.

Appreciate info on unusual museums and tourist attractions across Europe for commissioned feature. Contact: gillian.thorntons@btinternet.com or 01582 468771.

ALAN WRIGHT

With the experts confirming that most people dread public speaking more than death, experienced after-dinner speaker Alan Wright can give you the travelling raconteur's perspective - and kill the fear factor! Alan will also have material available on luxury hotels around the coast of Scotland, luxury residential courses on wedding speeches, the latest hotels in Dubai, the joys of Barcelona, luxury Toronto, the new flagship Hilton at Gateshead/Newcastle, and - the joys of hotel haggling USA style! Contact Alan through www.afterdinnerspeakeralanwright.co.uk

ALAN WRIGHT TRAVEL WRITER & BROADCASTER www.afterdinnerspeakeralanwright.co.uk MEMBER OF THE BRITISH GUILD OF TRAVEL WRITERS www.bgtw.metronet.co.uk PHONE - 01429 231133 MOBILE - 07989 388167

Alan writes in a range of national and regional UK publications, including a monthly column in NEWSLINE (national magazine of the Institute of Travel Management) and a weekly column in NORTH EAST PRESS.

NEW MEMBERS

Andrew Thomas 7c Vardens Road London SW11 1RQ 07786 996716 and_thomas@hotmail.com

Michael Howorth Down House Redlynch Salisbury Wiltshire SP5 2JP 01725 510347 michael@thehoworths.com

Jane Egginton 64 Fleet Road Hampstead London NW3 2QT 020 7284 2566 jegginton@btopenworld.com

Linda Jackson 10 Sandown Close Sandown Park Tunbridge Wells Kent TN2 4RL 01892 822 783 linda_jackson@btopenworld.com

Jane Anson Superbie St Seve La Reole 33190 Gironde France +33 55 66 14 808 elizabethjaneanson@yahoo.com