Roger Moore Revisits Memories Of His Evacuee Childhood In Launceston, Cornwall

Report by Natalie Venning and Ruth Musson for Cornish and Devon Post

HIGH profile Launceston College alumni Bond-star Roger Moore and Duncan Williams, who attended the school some 40 years apart, will be brought together during a magazine interview.

Roger Moore, well-known as the longest serving actor who played the role of Bond from 1973 to 1985, is soon to be featured in Sorted, published by Son Christian Media Ltd, of which Mr Williams is director of publishing.

Mr Moore, born October 14, 1927, attended Battersea Grammar School before he was evacuated to Holsworthy during world war two. From there, he attended Launceston College and was then educated at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

He made his film debut as an extra in 1945, appearing in small roles on stage and in films prior to his service in the army.

Mr Williams grew up in Launceston and owns land at Holsworthy. His grandfather was vicar at Werrington and later Wadebridge. Mr Williams will be interviewing Mr Moore along with professional biographer Frank Worrall, a St Ives-based author, who helped arrange the profile piece.

Sorted was established in 2007, after Steve Legg the now editor of the magazine wanted to provide ‘wholesome reading’, offering something different, ethical and faith-based. The magazine looks at success, sports, books, addictions, mentoring and a variety of other topics.

It has gradually grown as a magazine with the increase of professionalism and celebrity interviews to promote the rise of the readership.

Mr Legg’s wife Rebekah edits the sister title for women, Liberti.

The magazines are published six times a year, and in the last year have doubled their circulation to 40,000. They are distributed for free into UK prisons and the armed forces for chaplaincy material, as well as being sold across the UK and various countries as an alternative to ‘lad mags’.

Mr Williams said: “People have lost trust and faith in the media, we need to win back credibility, not with a law or government legalisation, but by appointing ethical editors and journalists to report news with integrity. These magazines are exactly the type of ethical brands that the post-Leveson and phone hacking weary public, might want to read.

“Celebrity without depth and shallow interviews, that reveal nothing, are boring readers who now want much more challenging content.

“The question of faith is no longer such a niche subject but one that many in the public eye are prepared to discuss. Even the question of lack of faith is an interesting basis to build an interview from.

“Recently the church has become more vocal on political issues, speaking out against poverty and often at the frontline with foodbanks and offering meeting facilities for addiction recovery groups.

“If the media would keep highlighting these issues and have the courage to report them in favour of trivia, we would really be seeing progressive changes in society.”

Each edition of the magazine features an interview with a celebrity, with questions focused on faith.

Mr Moore’s interview is scheduled to be published in a summer edition, and he hopes to evoke memories of his time at Launceston.

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Why Positive News Is Good For Us All

Why Positive News Is Good For Us All

Independent News Ltd. buys previously loss making newspapers and turns them into profit making entities that improve communications with local communities.

This is all done with the power of positive news. Positive news sells. Companies would much rather have their product or service advertised alongside an uplifting article that puts the reader in a good mood than an article about doom and gloom.

Positive Stories

What kind of stories do you like to read in the news?

Stories about success and celebration? Or stories about tragedy and the misfortune of others?

Most people would surely prefer to read uplifting stories that are well written and that aim to educate and inspire.

But unfortunately, when you take a look at your daily newspaper each morning, you may notice that the main headlines all focus on negativity.

Nowadays, column inches seem to be packed full of the woes of celebrities, the failures of politicians, the depressing overview of the economic climate. Even worse, these stories of gloom are often reported with an amount of glee on behalf of the journalist. The articles are often poorly written and do not educate nor inspire positive change in the life of the reader or society in general.

But wouldn’t it be nice to be greeted with an uplifting story about achievement, about something to celebrate, about something optimistic to get you in a good mood as you take on the day?

This is exactly what Duncan Williams, a Director on the board of Independent News Ltd., aims to achieve. He really does believe in the power of a good story.

“A good story does as it says on the tin; It reports a truthful, inspiring message. Maybe sheds a little light on some gloom... or draws attention to somebody or something worthwhile. The story's power lies in the fact that through its reporting it seeks to encourages more of the same” said Williams.

Improving Society With Positive Media

Duncan Williams hopes to increase the well-being of society with positive media.

“Marginalised elements of society often find it hard to access or express views in the mainstream media. Broadly speaking there is a trade in sensationalism and death. A tragic killing gets a mass of column inches and airtime, whereas the celebration of a human life gets far less. A birthday of a 100 year old citizen deserves as much, if not more attention, than the gleeful reporting of yet more doom and gloom. Coverage should always aim to be personal and real. Profiles of people should aim to help readers identify and feel a part of the story rather than apart from it. Ten years of revised media attitudes could have a remarkably beneficial effect upon society.”

A good story does not necessarily have to be an uplifting story of celebration. A tragic story can also be a good story.

In the reporting of a tragic story the reader demands that there be a point and a purpose to the way the story is told. From a tragedy people can still learn something that will help them in life. A tragedy often brings out the best in people and highlights the inner strength of human beings, with communities pulling together during times of adversity.

Whether it be about a tragedy or a success, a good story is always about the celebration of human life.

“It's human nature to want a good motive to override a bad one; it's what best assists group survival” states Williams.

Good Stories Sell

A good story is also advantageous from a business perspective. Good stories sell.

With Independent News Ltd., Duncan Williams has found a winning business formula of purchasing previously loss making regional newspapers and fast tracking them into profit. By doing this he has built up a portfolio of titles launched specifically at improving communication within local communities.

Independent News Ltd. uses what is known as value advertising to turn the newspapers into profitable entities.

The concept of value advertising is to increase the number of positive and uplifting stories in newspapers to make it more appealing for companies to want to purchase advertising space alongside such articles.

Duncan Williams believes that advertisers would much rather have an ad for their product displayed next to a positive story than alongside a story full of gloom and negativity. An uplifting story will shed the product in a more positive light. The reader will also be in a more positive mood as a result of the story and thus more receptive to advertisements on the page.

“If you were a newspaper advertiser would you want to promote your product or service next to an article about something dark and negative or positive and uplifting? Positive wins through.” he said.

Creating A More Positive Society

Independent News Ltd. is about more than just profiting from uplifting stories. Duncan Williams believes that by offering more positive media, we can build a more positive society.

“When all focus is placed relentlessly upon the negative, true vision, faith and hope all get eroded. A new pair of glasses can remind people that the world can still be a very beautiful place even in the most difficult of times. Modern media can be that powerful.” he states.

Duncan Williams wants to see more stories about the celebration of human life. Stories that help readers identify and feel part of the story rather than apart from it. He believes that ten years of revised media attitudes could have a remarkably beneficial effect upon society.

The Future Of Positive Media

As Independent News Ltd. continue to turn around the fortunes of magazines and newspapers, the amount of quality content in the media is only going to increase.

In 10 years’ time you may well get to take a look at your morning newspaper and read a good story that not only informs you, but educates you, and inspires you, and enriches your life. Wouldn’t that make a nice change?

WRITERS WANTED!

How do I get a break into the competitive world of journalism?

We are regularly asked if we 'have any vacancies for journalists on our newspaper and magazine titles?'

The answer is; yes! ... We are always on the lookout for genuinely talented people. YOU are the lifeblood of future reporting and the news industry depends upon your input.

But first of all we need to know that you can develop the same high standard we have come to expect from our team of writers?

To give you a chance to shine as a scribe we select interns who can trial for a period as 'guest bloggers' on one of our publication's websites; working on established regional newspapers and magazines that go out in key areas throughout the UK.

In this way you get a chance to put your news and views across direct to our readers, 1000s of them, often gaining you an immediate following and linking your name, as a brand new journalist, with one of Britain's most successful and prolific regional publishing companies.

So, if you are really interested in making an impression and possibly joining our professional team of bloggers for a 12 week period of free training, please read the five tips below and then do get in touch with us...

Five Tips Every Guest Blogger Should Know


One of the best ways to increase your visibility is to become a guest blogger at a popular blog. This is a chance for you to gain exposure to a new audience and credibility by being associated with highly-respected bloggers with major followings. Guest blogging is a win-win situation for everyone if done right: the blog gets excellent and free content to use while the guest blogger gets increased exposure for their blog, brand or products.

Of course, there are many other people who want to become guest bloggers for the same reason it might make sense for you to do the same. In order to get the prime guest blogging spots on the top sites you need to make yourself and your content stand out from the pack. Here are five tips on how to make that happen:

1. Read and Understand the Blog: It's amazing how many people contact major blogs wanting to be guest bloggers without fully understanding what the blog is all about. Each blog has its own topics that are of interest to the owners and their readers. If you suggest content which is not appropriate your guest blogging request is going to be denied.

Instead, read through the past two to three months of blog posts to see what topics the blog is focused on. You'll want to avoid pitching topic ideas that have already been covered, but at the same time you might be able to pitch a rebuttal to a previous post or a different take on a popular theme. This will also give you a strong sense for the tone of the blog.

2. Know the Guest Blogging Guidelines: Not all blogs accept guest bloggers, so you'll want to make sure they do before you pitch them with your idea. If they do accept guest posts, chances are that they'll have specific guest blogger guidelines published on their site. It's important to review these rules before you contact a blog. You don't want to break any rules at the start which might anger the blog owners and make it harder for you to convince them to let you be a guest blogger. If you seem uninformed about the guidelines of the blog, it's tough to convince a blogger that you will provide great content.

3. Write the Blog First: If you are dealing with a very popular blog, chances are that the site's owners and editorial team are extremely busy. Taking the time to establish a rapport with the blog's management, pitching a story idea and then working through the details is time-consuming. In many cases, it's better to just write a blog on a topic you feel confident will work and send it to the blog. If they like it, they can publish it without having to jump through hoops. If they reject it, you can take it to another blog.

4. Prove Yourself: It's important to provide your credentials when sending over a guest blog in order for the bloggers to understand that you are an expert in the field. A guest blog written by a savvy industry professional is going to carry more weight than one written by a random person. Explain to the blog why you are the right person to discuss a certain topic with their audience and what perspective you bring that can't be found anywhere else.

5. Write a Compelling Headline: A great headline can do more than bring readers to your blog -- it's also the perfect way to grab the attention of the owner or editor of a blog. Much like readers, the people you contact with a request to guest post might only skim to the title of your proposed post. If it's interesting and engaging, they'll want to read more; if it's boring or stale, they'll move on. One great tip is to write a headline that proposes a question you will answer in your article.



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