Localmouth has won 1st prize in a competition run by EveryCity at last week’s Future of Web Apps conference.
Our prize is free managed hosting on a dedicated server for a year. Yippee!
Local Blogger of the Week: 1st Lady
This week’s Localmouth local blogger of the week is from Edinburgh. She goes by the name of “1st Lady” and is one half of the mother and daughter blogging team behind the wonderful Scottish Natterings Edinburgh Happenings.
Without further ado, please let me introduce 1st Lady…
How long have you been writing your blog?
I’ve been writing ScottishDiary since early 2007, along with my partner in crime, Lady Muck.
What first got you started?
Initially we started the blog to promote our holiday rentals in Edinburgh, however that became far too boring far too quickly and the blog ended up discussing goings on in Edinburgh and surrounding areas, and then headed down a slippery path to a tone similar to L.Muck and I’s emails, humour and nonsense.
Your blog is fairly unusual in that you write it in partnership with Lady Muck. Did you start out that way and do you think having multiple authors is a good arrangement in general?
We did start the blog together. Back when Scottish Diary was formed, I lived in the USA and L.Muck lived in Edinburgh, this was something L.Muck and I could do together, thousands of miles apart.
We’ve always laughed with each other, and some of our emails would be so funny that I thought we should also blog as a team.
Multiple authors works well if the writings are similar in style and nature, otherwise the blog may not flow so well. I’d also recommend blogging with someone you trust wont share awful photos or embarrassing stories (not that I’m saying I have any). The other concern with team blogs is that one of them may decide to stop writing, or get married (the nerve). If L.Muck ever tells me she needs maternity leave I’m firing her, she’s had a few written warnings for absences already but I’ll not mention them.
What are your favourite things about Edinburgh?
Edinburgh – it’s a fabulous city. With living in the USA for so long I’d visit and see Edinburgh through the eyes of a tourist. Its architecture is magnificent and I thoroughly enjoy looking up at the buildings and discovering carvings in the masonry.
I love Edinburgh’s history, and being able to escape city centre in the city centre by exploring Holyrood park, with it’s hills, lochs and walks. And the castle as a centre piece, it’s such an attractive city.
Have to say I quite like researching the pubs too.
What kinds of things do you tend to write about?
Nonsense first comes to mind but actually we usually write about Edinburgh or Scotland. We write touristy related stuff as we both like to explore our land, but we also write about everything from Edinburgh plumbers, to the Tartan Army (which L.Muck is a member of).
At one time we must have written about DIY Botox as people find us through that google search too. We just write, and laugh.
Has blogging changed your relationship with Edinburgh? How?
It has changed my relationship. I’ve been learning more about the city. When I take photos of a statue or building, I’ll then research to see why it’s there, it’s purpose or symbolic meaning. Before I’d just look at something, e.g. the heart of midlothian mosaic on the Royal Mile, or the female statues on the Jenners building and think, that’s interesting. Now I know why they’re interesting.
Are there any other local bloggers you’d recommend?
Well, I do have a few Scottish favourites, Auld Reekie Rants, Jim Millar, the one and only Adullamite, not a local, but he used to be… a long long long time ago… he’ll kill me for that. hahaa
Do you have any tips for writing a local blog?
Take a camera and snap lots of photos. Write about events before they happen, not just afterwards, live life with a positive outlook, annoying daily things such as tramworks, gasworks, or 6 workers standing around watching 1 at work, that all makes for a great blog.
Maybe carry a small notepad, I’m going to start doing that as there’s been a few moments recently when I’ve thought – I should blog that, (usually L. Muck getting into trouble), but then I forget what she’s been up to.
Edinburgh’s a fantastic place to visit. What’s one place in Edinburgh you’d recommend that doesn’t make it onto most tourist itineraries?
Corstorphine Hill for a fine quiet walk with magnificent views.
Keep turning left at the zoo fence and you’ll end up at the Toby Carvery for drinks too, L.Muck and I did anyway…
What’s been the best thing so far about writing a local blog?
Sharing stories of everyday city life. I was recently sitting in a Lothian bus next to someone who was on the phone, chatting away to his mate about his girlfriend, and what a great blog story he provided.
—
Fantastic! Thanks very much to 1st Lady for taking the time to do this interview and for sharing the photos in this post. Keep up the great work!
To find more blogs about your local area, see the Localmouth UK blog map.
Posted in Blogger of the Week.
Localmouth Interviewed by Socialreporter
I was interviewed last week by the charming David Wilcox for his Socialreporter blog. You can read his write-up and thoughts about changing models for local online information here: Localmouth: a new model for online neighbourliness.
David has been involved with getting local communities online since the really early days and his blog covers all sorts of good stuff about web-enabled social innovation in the UK, so do pop over and have a read.
Posted in Uncategorized.
Local Blogger of the Week: Chris Unitt of Created in Birmingham
Our local blogger of the week this week writes for a blog that focuses on the more creative side of things.
Chris Unitt is the editor of Created in Birmingham, a great-looking blog whose small team of writers tackles the important task of linking up the artistic and creative communities of Birmingham. It was joint-winner of the Media Guardian Innovation Awards 2008 in the Independent Blog category.
Welcome Chris.
How long have you been writing Created in Birmingham?
I took over at the end of April 2008. The blog was started by Pete Ashton in December 2006.
How did you first get involved?
Honestly? I’m not really sure why I was handed the reins. Pete found himself too busy and I think I was in the right place at the right time – an outsider to the city’s arts scene but interested in getting involved and with time enough to take the job on. With the sheer volume of things to stay abreast of it is very time-consuming and it was daunting to take on a MediaGuardian award-winning blog but I’ve loved doing it.
What do you most enjoy blogging about?
The unexpected finds are the most fun. John Garghan is a recent example – he photographs burnt-out cars close up and captures some amazing, abstract-looking pictures.
I also love doing the ‘collective memories’ – trawling around online and collating as many reviews, photos and videos to bring together people’s reflections on the larger events like the Supersonic Festival, Artsfest and the Birmingham Opera Company’s productions.
What are your favourite things about Birmingham and its creative scene?
I like that it isn’t particularly exclusive or pretentious. I’m proof that an ‘outsider’ can start turning up to the events and get to know people quite easily. I don’t think enough people realise how open the scene is.
In a perverse kind of way I also like that, to a large extent, the independent creative scene seems to have been neglected and ignored by officialdom in the city. I think that makes it easier to treasure.
Has blogging changed your relationship with your local community? How?
It’s got me more involved with it, certainly. I know a lot more people around the city than I used to, and that’s simply by writing about them and linking to them via the blog.
I’m also starting to see the gaps in the community – the sorts of events that aren’t happening but should be and the arts organisations that could be using the internet more effectively to let people know about themselves and their events.
Are there any other local bloggers you’d recommend?
Birmingham has a really strong community of bloggers which is great. It’s unfair to pick a few but… there’s Pete Ashton of course, Jon Bounds at Birmingham: It’s Not Shit is becoming a local institution, Joanna Geary has attracted international attention with how she’s pushing online journalism, Steve Gerrard is an amazing photographer who blogs around his work excellently. Then there are the local design firms who blog their daily inspirations and add colour to my RSS reader – Boxer Beyond, Surely and Supercool’s Know Design blog
Do you have any tips for writing a local blog?
Post often, link often and be friendly are my tips for blogging generally. As far as local blogs go, if you want to become part of the community you’re writing about then real world links matter as much, if not more, than virtual ones so get out there and meet people.
What’s been the best thing so far about running Created in Birmingham?
Picking one thing’s tricky but I suppose I’ve learnt more about Birmingham since May than I have in all the years I’ve lived here. For the most part I like what I’ve learnt too.
Can you recommend 3 up-and-coming Birmingham-based musicians, artists, designers or writers we should look out for?
Well, at 63 years old, Gaynor Arnold has just had her debut novel longlisted for the Booker Prize so she looks like one to watch. That’s been published by the local Tindal Street Press.
I’m also fascinated to see what Frankie Ward ends up doing. She’s a drama student at Birmingham Uni but she’s also a radio presenter, blogger, videoblogger, music reviewer… the list goes on. In the past 6 months she’s sung onstage with the Mystery Jets and worked with the BBC, MySpace and 4Talent.
As far as music is concerned, there are quite a few bands pushing through at the moment. I’ll pick The Destroyers – a 15-piece group who play turbo-charged, Eastern European folk music with a ranting, Irish poet for a front man. I saw them at the Moseley Folk Festival recently and they left a field of absolute converts. Genius.
Thanks for taking part, Chris. It’s great to hear about so much good stuff going on in Birmingham. All the best to you and the team. Keep up the good work!
—
To find out more about what’s going on in Birmingham, visit the Created in Birmingham blog or the Localmouth guide to Birmingham.
(photo CC by ahisgett)
Posted in Blogger of the Week.
Some Changes to the Look of the Site
I’ve updated the design of the main Localmouth site slightly and changed this blog’s theme. I hope you like the new look.
Posted in Uncategorized.
Local Clubs Getting Free Publicity on Localmouth
I’ve been happy to see a number of local clubs using Localmouth to advertise themselves to people in their local areas lately. Here are just a few of them:
- Lives First Responders club in Croxton
- Inverness Curling Club in Inverness
- Essex Wado Ryu Karate (E.W.R.K.) clubs in and around Wivenhoe
Listings are free for non-profit clubs, associations and societies, so if you know of a local club that could do with some extra publicity to bring in more local members, why not mention Localmouth to the organisers?
Posted in Clubs.
Local Blogger of the Week: Anke from Royal Tunbridge Wells
In the second of our features on local bloggers from around the country, this week I’m delighted to be interviewing Anke, author of “Anke: Royal Tunbridge Wells”, a blog that’s bursting with fabulous photos and fascinating local history.
(photo courtesy of Anke)
How long have you been writing your blog?
Since October 2005. Wow! Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun?
What first got you started?
Having such a love for the town I live in, I just wanted to try and share how great it was with everyone.
What are your favourite things about the area?
I discover new things and places all the time. It’s the town that keeps on giving.
What kinds of things do you tend to write about?
Usually things of an historical nature, and I try to relate something historical with something that has happened today. For instance, reading about something in the local paper and then researching and writing about the origins of the newspaper in the blog post.
Has blogging changed your relationship with your local community? How?
Definitely. My blog is very well known about town and apparently is quite influential. Even our local MP writes to me and loves to read it. It has brought me into contact with lots of wonderful local people and has also lead to me editing a local newsletter. It’s really nice to be told by people that I am generating an interest in the town and bringing tourists in. That makes me very proud.
Are there any other local bloggers you’d recommend?
There used to be Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells, who was the exact opposite of me. He’d blog about the poor things about our town whilst I blogged about the nice things. He’s gone now though, which is a shame. Another very popular local blogger is Clare Grant from Three Beautiful Things (http://threebeautifulthings.blogspot.com/) who writes three things everyday that make her happy.
Do you have any tips for writing a local blog?
Yes. Try and give your readers some form of participation in the posts, whether its to get them to visit something or even to just think about a subject in a different light. It really encourages people to stick with you. I’ve had some wonderful feedback from readers that base their day off around what I’ve posted about previously.
Your blog posts suggest you have a keen interest in local history. Has blogging helped you develop that interest?
Absolutely. I have always had a little interest in history, and researching what to blog about has really made that into a nice little hobby. If I hadn’t of started my blog I wouldn’t have bought my historic books and learnt so much. It’s just so interesting once you start delving in that you’ll see your familiar surroundings in a new light.
You have some wonderful photos on your blog. Is there one in particular that sums up something you like about Tunbridge Wells and would you mind if I include it?
Thanks for the compliment. It’s hard to put Tunbridge Wells into one image because its so different and diverse. Although this image is from my favourite post of all. It’s taken from my October Hurricane of 1987 post which took me weeks to research and write. I also created images of what the places looked like just after the hurricane and today.
So far, what’s been the best thing about writing your blog?
It makes me get outside and discover new things so that I can write about them.
—
Thank you, Anke!
To find out more about Tunbridge Wells, read Anke’s blog or visit the Localmouth homepage for Tunbridge Wells
Posted in Blogger of the Week.
Messages from the Local Forums
There’s been a lot of activity on the local forums lately as more people discover them and put them to good use. Here are some of the topics that have caught my eye.
- Sarah appealing for any information on tortoises stolen from her parents’ home in Cosham, Portsmouth
- Hamish looking for witnesses to a car park rage incident in Bournemouth
- Eveline tracing her family tree who has questions about her great great grandfather, Thomas Kington who lived in Little Common
It’s great to see people using Localmouth for all this. Hopefully local people will be able to help Sarah, Hamish and Eveline with what they’re each looking for.
Posted in General.
Local Blogger of the Week: Ruby in Bury
This is the first in a new series featuring great local bloggers from around Britain. This week I’m very excited to bring you an interview with Christina Surdhar, a.k.a. Ruby in Bury, who writes the wonderful blog Living in Bury St Edmunds.
How long have you been writing your blog?
Since November 2005.
What first got you started?
I’d just discovered blogs and was itching to write one. At the time, we’d just made a decision to move to York in a year’s time. I’d found my nine years living in Bury St Edmunds difficult, never quite settling in and that bugged me. I wanted to spend a year exploring it and getting to really know it, as well as explore my own relationship with the town. So I decided that’s what I’d blog about, and called the blog simply “Living in Bury St Edmunds.” The blog occupied me to the extent that we ended up not moving!
What are your favourite things about the area?
Its very subtle, but very distinctive character. It’s a quiet local culture here, and you really have to root it out, but it’s worth it. Suffolk humour is very deadpan, and the local folklore is fascinating. I also love the atmospheric nature of the countryside – mysterious and quiet with loads of lightning trees because it’s so flat.
What kinds of things do you tend to write about?
I concentrate mainly on the quirky, the unusual, and anything funny about life in Bury St Edmunds. Bury is a quirky town though, and really lends itself to that sort of approach. Photos have been a big part of the blog too and I’ve run several “series” of photos. My blog has in some ways been a reaction to the Bury’s prim side, and the fact that the town can sometimes take itself too seriously. Everyone knows that here, and have been very ready to laugh with me about it.
Has blogging changed your relationship with your local community? How?
Yes. I feel like I am a part of things here now – I guess I’ve fitted in through humour and through a fondness for the town shared with my readers, which has been great.
My blogger’s anonymity didn’t last long, particularly after I blogged I had a new pair of bright green crocs. Bury St Edmunds became a bit of a “spot Ruby”competition at that point – with my give-away big fat SLR camera round my neck too! I got spotted so many times, including on one memorable occasion by a fellow Northern lady on a bike who bellowed “Hey Ruby, you’re a top bird!” after me down the street. I had to stop wearing the crocs for a while.
Are there any other local bloggers you’d recommend?
Some of the inspiration for my own blog came from fellow Bury St Edmunds blogger, Bury Blue, who wrote Running in Suffolk (http://runningburyblue.blogspot.com). There are links to photos of just about every Suffolk village in his sidebar. A London blogger I like is Diamond Geezer, who combines humorous anecdotes with factual information (http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/). Another blogger I love reading is Fourpints (http://fourpints.com/) He writes with humour and sense of place, looking at the culture differences – and some similarities – between his hometown Bury St Edmunds and his adopted city of Detroit in the U.S.
Do you have any tips for writing a local blog?
The most popular local blogs always seem to have a strong personal element intertwined with any local information and reporting, which is useful to bear in mind. On the other hand, if you have a straight news reporting or factual local blog, it’s good to get in at an angle that the traditional media won’t or can’t. A local news journalist will have to get quotes from dignitaries and formal photos at an event, and report in the formulaic standard way. A local blogger can focus on the most interesting aspect of the proceedings, providing a man in the street viewpoint.
It’s worth mentioning too that I tend to have a “do as you would be done by” maxim for my own blogging. Before I hit the publish button, I always ask myself if I would be upset if someone wrote about me in a similar way. If I would, then I don’t go ahead.
You say on your blog that you’ll soon be leaving Bury St Edmunds for York. Will you be starting a new blog there?
Definitely. I’m not sure what angle I’ll blog York from yet, and will probably only know that once I’m there, but the relationship between people and place is one which fascinates me. Returning to my own home county of Yorkshire – which I have missed in so many ways – will give me plenty of blogging fodder, I’m sure. The new blog URL will be posted on Living in Bury St Edmunds when it’s launched.
So far, what’s been the best thing about writing your blog?
Friendships made through the blog are definitely the best thing about it.. The people who’ve been drawn to my blog, are on the whole people I have lots in common with, and its been great to find so many like-minded people out there. Some have become close friends. It’s also great getting emails from people all over the world with memories and anecdotes about Bury St Edmunds, I love getting those.
—
Thanks Christina! We wish you all the best with your adventures in York and hope you’ll speak to us again when your new blog is underway.
(To find out more about Christina’s local area, visit the Localmouth pages for Bury St Edmunds)
Posted in Blogger of the Week.
Improving Accessibility
Here are a few changes I’ve made in an effort to improve Localmouth’s accessibility.
I’m not an expert on this stuff, so if there’s something you’ve spotted that’s still really annoying, difficult to use or just plain needs improving, do please let me know. Thanks!
- Changed logo alt text to say simply ‘Localmouth’
- Set alt text for navigation decoration images to blank
- Set alt text for search button to ’search’
- Provided a link from the limerick map to a text-based alternative list of limericks
- Set alt text for other decorative images to blank
- Tweaked a few bits and pieces to fix XHTML and CSS validity
I found the following resources were very handy:
- Checklist of checkpoints for web content accessibility guidelines
- WebAIM’s ‘appropriate use of alternative text
Plus, of course,
If you happen to be thinking of reviewing your own website’s accessibility, but just keep putting it off, I highly recommend you look into it (the checklist mentioned above is a good starting point). It may surprise you how easy it is to make the necessary changes.
Posted in General.