Writing Examples

Flyer 1

O-Compli flyer

top

Flyer 2

We have no choice about breathing.
But we do have a choice about what we breathe.

The air in our homes and offices is full of airborne pollutants - dust, pollen, and bacteria. These pollutants contribute towards tiredness, nose and lung irritation, and can make some medical conditions - such as asthma - much worse.

However, indoor air pollution can be dramatically reduced. Allergy Air Clean, in partnership with Munn Plumbing and Heating, brings to you the benefits of over 40 years of Swiss research and development.

We supply and install Swiss-made icleen® air filtering systems. The major benefits of the filtering systems are:

Call us now to find out how you can benefit from icleen® air filtering systems, and give your home or workplace comprehensive indoor air protection.

Allergy Air Clean
Indoor Air Protection

top

Corporate Data Protection Guidelines Leaflet

(Staff leaflet for an energy supply company.)

Data Protection Guidelines 2000

In today's world it is often necessary to disclose personal information about ourselves to a number of people and organisations; for example, to a GP, a mail order company, or a new electricity supplier. The personal information we are required to disclose can range from just our name and address through to very personal or sensitive information.

The Data Protection Act 1998 exists to protect the privacy of this information, or personal data, as it is referred to. The Act recognises that there is a vast quantity of personal data held about individuals, both on computer and in paper files, and this personal data must be protected from inappropriate access, unauthorised changes, and misuse.

Under the Data Protection Act 1998, EnergyX is obliged to protect the personal data it holds about its staff and its customers. Because EnergyX has over 1.5 million customers, all of whose personal data needs to be protected, the Act is of considerable significance to EnergyX's operations.

Question

So how do we at EnergyX ensure that we protect our customer's personal data?

Answer

The responsibility falls to staff whose job position involves input or access to personal data - both electronic and paper-based. Such staff have the responsibility to ensure that personal data is not used or disclosed in any way that will cause harm or distress to the person to whom it relates.

Question

So what can I do to help protect a customer's personal data?

Answer

Do...

Do not...

top

Poem

Fallen Icons

Doors swing limply
in the steel breeze.
Beaten and gashed,
shrieking and crying
for their former glory.

A shining mosaic carpet
crunches uncomfortably underfoot.
Shattered glass
glimmering
with the crimson rays of sunset.

In the puddles of the recent shower
swirl eddies of multicoloured oil,
distorting the reflections
of the rusting carcasses.

Hundreds of iron skeletons
lined up
in a pitiful parade.
Alloy wheels, toughened glass,
halogen headlights.

Status symbols
once.
Used, abused,
thrashed, crashed, and burnt-out.
Redundant.
They now mingle with the earth
from which they were once made.

© M.S. Latter 1992
(Runner up in Eastern Rainbow 1992 Poetry Competition.)

top

Review - Book

(Published by Amazon.co.uk)

Last, but certainly not least

Ian Walker
Harold, The Last Saxon King

One of the problems afflicting English history surrounding 1066 is that some historians have been swayed by sympathiser sources (e.g. that of Robert of Jumieges, the deposed Archbishop of Canterbury) and the victor's propaganda and actions (e.g. The Bayeux Tapestry, 'The Carmen', and the destruction of many Anglo-Saxon documents).

Harold, The Last Saxon King is a refreshing change.

Ian Walker demonstrates healthy scepticism, steers away from legend, and objectively considers sources - or if lacking, as for some Anglo-Saxon perspectives - reasoned evidence of the time. And through careful analysis and thought, he arrives at good, insightful conclusions.

Considering this book is largely an analysis of sources and literature, the surprise is that it is interesting and involving, which is credit to the author's thinking and writing abilities.

Chapter 11 is an interesting and dispassionate account of the Battle of Hastings. Commonly cited failings directed at King Harold are impetuousness and a 'premature' move from London against Duke William's invading forces - perhaps in hope of surprise, as Harold had previously achieved at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Ian Walker shows through evidence that Harold was actually a cautious commander in nearly all of his career and generally preferred negotiation to combat, yet there were good reasons to move early against William. Just because Harold lost the Battle of Hastings doesn't mean he wasn't William's equal as a commander. Ian Walker shows Harold was at least that, and without the murderous streak.

top

Article

Hard Reign

As a sunlit icefield blinds and dazzles, catching and hurling the sun into onlookers' eyes, so the armour and weapons of the striding Saxon army flashed into the faces of the Vikings.

The Viking warriors, relaxing in the Yorkshire meadows on this hot September day of 1066, jumped to their feet in utter surprise and dismay. Their commander, King Harald Hardraada of Norway, a huge framed and battle-hardened warrior, had woefully underestimated King Harold II of Saxon England. Most of Hardrada's invading army - basking in a recent victory over the Saxon Northumbrian Earls - was not even armed.

Desperately, the Vikings retreated across the River Derwent leaving their finest warrior to guard the river crossing. Feet spread for balance on the narrow wooden bridge, the berserker Viking swung a massive battle-axe - hacking down all Saxon challengers with his berserker rage and buying Hardraada time. Saxon guile, however, encroached unseen. By boat, or perhaps creeping along the riverbank, a Saxon warrior placed himself under the bridge and thrust his spear through a planking gap - deep into the berserker's groin. So legend tells.

What is known is that the Viking outposts mounted a desperate delaying action to slow the Saxon crossing of the Derwent, while the Viking army on the other riverbank frantically donned what armour and weapons were available, and then took up position.

Hardraada formed his army into a triangular-shaped shield wall, presenting a narrow front. The Saxons crossed the river, deepened their ranks, and charged. Savage and bloody hand-to-hand combat raged all day. When Hardraada himself hacked through Saxon ranks, he exposed himself and a Saxon missile pierced his throat. With his felling, Viking resistance crumbled, and the battle became a rout. The slain included King Harold's treacherous brother Tostig, who had considerably assisted the Viking invasion. The remaining Vikings fled towards the invasion longships moored at Riccall, pursued all the way by the Saxons. Only around 30 ships from an initial 300 ships returned to Norway.

This was Harold's finest hour. His rapid march north from London on horseback in just four days had shocked his enemies and contributed to his chilling victory in the river meadows of Stamford Bridge. Just as Harold had promised, Hardraada received not the kingdom for his invasion but just seven feet of English soil. The battle was a Saxon triumph - but a pyrrhic triumph at that. The Saxon core army of professional troops had been tired, wounded, and depleted. And now word reached King Harold that Duke William of Normandy had landed on the south coast to seize the English throne - looting and burning the area around Hastings.

top