Wilderness PR

22/08/2024

Thrilled to announce that Hannah Blake and I are joining forces, bringing together many years of combined expertise in hospitality, travel, horticulture, publishing, consumer and lifestyle PR to new client,

Situated near East Grinstead in West Sussex, Gravetye Manor is one of the country’s finest Elizabethan manor house hotels, beautifully juxtaposed to the modern glass-fronted Michelin-starred restaurant.

The hotel is set amidst 35 acres of world-renowned gardens originally created in 1885 by the celebrated gardener and writer William Robinson, and now under the care of highly respected Head Gardener, Tom Coward and his talented team. These gardens, that include an elliptical walled kitchen garden, orchards and glasshouses are considered to be amongst the most influential in English horticultural history.

Hannah and I have been friends for several years. Now, as we embark on our first co-pitch and win, we’re excited to see where this new chapter with Gravetye Manor will take us. 💫

07/08/2024

Back to normality with a big bump after an incredible weekend working and playing at .

Work: PR-ing and wild spa and having fun with and whilst doing so. Enjoying witnessing have their first foray into contrast therapy. 🧊 🔥 💪

Play: Watching headline the main stage Sunday (highlight). Drag Queen Wine Tasting and The Valley 💀⚡️✨. Watching people streaking the cricket on the ‘Village Green’, wild swimming in the lake 🐟 and general festival fun-foolery with , , Katie and friends.

This festival is like an oversized village fete with a huge dollop of healthy hedonism on the side.

It’s probably the most civilised festival I’ve ever been to, but it was glorious. And totally good for the soul too (especially as we were childfree) 😀☀️🫶🧡

21/06/2024

Black Deer 2024 💫

This year was all about having the true privilege of working on the stage.

Everything about this Americana festival is pure magic, not least the people that it brings together. My heart is full with many more Black Deer memories made.

So many people who have made the festival so special over the years, but a big shout out to , Gareth Evans, Julie, Claire Cowley, Tom Johnston, David Court, Nick Stillwell.

Thank you Gill for always believing in me and making me realise that festival and event production work is way more fun than PR! 😜🫶🫶

Others that made the weekend so special:









…and so many more.

The End

🖤 🦌

12/06/2024

Latest PR collaboration is working with ex-radio one DJ and Bestival co-founders and on their brand that will have some exciting announcements over the coming weeks.

First stop though, has been supporting the opening of a Slow Motion Sauna on National Trust land at Compton Bay, Isle of Wight. 🌊 ☀️

Sweatbathing, saunering, ice bathing or ‘Contrast Therapy’ as it’s technically known, is one of the UK’s fastest growing wellness and health trends.

It’s Robby and Josie’s mission to make sauna and bathing culture accessible to all. 💥

Thanks to for including news of the Compton Bay’s sauna in a travel round-up out today in the Mirror on what to do and where to go in the Isle of Wight. 🙏

News coverage also secured this week in Island Echo, County Press, Yahoo, Beacon Magazine and Isle of Wight Radio.

Look out for Slow Motion sauna and plunge pop-ups at this year’s and . 🏕️

10/05/2024

💫 New Client 💫

Thrilled to announce that I am now working with Artelium Wine Estate.

The contemporary Sussex wine estate celebrates exceptional wine, art, landscape and nature.

Its Ditchling site is open all year round for tours, tastings and exhibitions that bring art to the walls of the tasting room and sculptures displayed amongst the vines.

It’s just been announced, that Artelium will be the FIRST-EVER English still wine to be served at this year’s RHS Royal Chelsea Flower Show.

**If you are a journalist and attending, then please DM me.**

Artelium is also the English wine of choice at this year’s Charleston Festival, 16 - 27 May.

📷 Will Hearle

03/04/2024

**EDITED- Episode is now airing next week, 11 April **

Excited to announce I will be appearing in this week’s episode of The Hotel Inspector being aired 11 APRIL on Channel 5 at 9pm.

The Original Hut Company (also home to The Hub, Bodiam) is the focus of Alex Polizzi’s expertise in bringing this family venture back to life and making it more profitable.

Filmed back in October, it was fab to meet co-owners Nick and Anna, as well as the other experts invited on to the show to stay the night and sample what the site has to offer, as well as meeting Alex of course!

Tune in tomorrow to find out more. It promises be a cracker! 🎥 🔥 🦉 🪵 ✨

22/03/2024

Thrilled to announce that Wilderness PR will once again be working with Camp Kernow, a residential summer camp tucked away in a 200-acre estate just outside Truro in Cornwall, that offers 8 - 15 year olds off-grid and unplugged, outdoor adventure.

Founders Charlie and Claire are fully committed to educating young people about the benefits of putting down screens and smartphones and enriching the soul, by mastering new skills and crafts and the mental wellness benefits of immersion in nature and being outside all week, connecting IRL, forming friendships and having fun. 💥

Learning to forge with a Blacksmith, canoe expeditions, falconry, eco energy workshops, leatherwork, wild food foraging, natural dyeing workshops, mindful and meditation workshops, bushcraft skills, rock climbing are just a few of the adventures and activities taking place.

Back in 2019 (after three months of pitching 🤪), Camp Kernow was the focus of BBC Countryfile episode.

BBC presenter John Craven, presented the piece. Back in the eighties, John pioneered the conversation on Newsround to younger audiences on the importance of minimalising the use of single-use plastic for planet health. Welcoming him on site (and being a massive Newsround fan growing-up) was a definite PR career highlight. (pic of us above ⬆️ 😁).

Camp Kernow uses sustainable technology to be entirely off-grid. A chaperoned service to and from London and Cornwall on the Great Western Railway is offered to discourage car travel.

It’s a truly magical place. And with the Smartphone Free Childhood campaign taking full hold, initiatives and opportunities like Camp Kernow, are as important as ever. 🫶 ⚡️

📷

06/03/2024

📣 NEW CLIENT 📣

Thrilled to announce that Wilderness PR will now be working with Cornish Gems.

This independently owned, award-winning, self-catering holiday provider, has a large portfolio of impressive properties to rent across Cornwall, offering additional services to ensure a memorable Cornish escape like no other.

The business has just been awarded B Corp certification. The team strives to ensure they can improve the impact of tourism within their communities, as well having up to 20 ‘Eco-Conscious Gems’, all designed to offer a more environmentally-conscious holiday, without compromising on luxury.

Very excited to be working with the team.

Any journalists, planning to cover or work in Cornwall over the next few months, please get in touch.

🌊 ☀️ 💫

📷

04/12/2023

A travel feature Wilderness PR had worked on for client , that is now live on vogue.com

Read more about the ‘Bloomsbury neck of the woods - loosely from Lewes to Eastbourne’, which is ‘just as scenic and much more of a cultural hub than it was in the early twentieth century.’

https://www.vogue.com/article/east-sussex-guide

Sussex is well and truly on the map as the place to be in the UK for great art, landscape, wine and places to stay.

Jo’s words that Sussex is ‘rangier and less scene-y than, let’s say, the Cotswolds.’ And ‘if the only shoes you travel with are hiking boots, nobody will blink.’

Having moved to Sussex from London 16 years ago, I couldn’t agree more. A cultural gem, without the pretentiousness.

Working with Sussex Modern to showcase this county has been a real honour.

Thank you Jo Rodgers for the wonderful write-up.💫

📷



Lewes

From cliff walks to vineyards to art masterpieces, here’s why this escape just a few hours from London should be on your radar.

15/07/2023

In ten weeks time, I will be flying out to South Africa with eleven others to run/trek/limp 100 miles in the KwaZulu Natal Province bush, to raise money for WOLO Foundation, a small but mighty charity that does incredible work supporting families in Sussex affected by cancer.

Thankfully there will be no lions, elephants or rhinos to contend with in this remote area near Durban, but there will be zebra, giraffes, ostriches, black mamba snakes, to name but a few of the wild beasts that will probably cross our paths. The heat will also be a challenge. 🥵

This will be my longest time away from Matt and the kids, but one I am determined to do in memory of my mum Sue Barnes who passed away from cancer 7 years ago, as well as the Claire Sumners who was helped and supported so much by WOLO in her final weeks. They are both missed so much.😢

I have given myself a fundraising target of £1,500. I am self-funding the trip, which I have been training for since Jan. 🏃‍♀️🏋️‍♀️🔪🐍 ☠️

I am very lucky that I have three incredible friends taking part in this challenge too. Lally Drake Katie Hammond Waters Sarah Elizabeth Lamond. I’m sure there will be plenty of laughing, as well as tears along the way. 💫

WOLO’s incredible work has helped so many people in times of need. The more money fundraised, the more people team WOLO can help. Simples!

If you would like to donate, then please click on the pic below.

Thank you so much 💛

WOLO is a small, but mighty charity that helps families living in Sussex affected by cancer. I came to know of WOLO through my friend Claire who was supported by Justin, Fler and the team during her f

12/07/2023

Thrilled to have secured this piece in The Guardian today on ‘Sussex Wine Tourism: A Plan for Growth’, an initiative I have been working on as part of my PR work for Sussex Modern.

Coverage also secured on BBC Radio Sussex (x 2), BBC South East (x 4), Great British Life magazine, Drinks Business magazine, Meetings and Incentive Travel magazine, Vineyards magazine and Sussex World.

It really is an exciting time to be producing wine in Sussex. 🥂

Brilliant tipples are not all the county’s rapidly developing wine scene has to offer, as vineyards add festivals, art exhibitions and cool places to stay

03/03/2023

Very fortunate to be working on this year’s , on the production side of the festival, for the formidable .

This Americana music festival will be taking place at Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells, 16-18 June.

This year’s Incredible line-up of music includes The Pretenders, Bear’s Den, Steve Earle and Kurt Vile and the Violators.

Also, Bonnie Raitt who won ‘Song of the Year’ over a star-studded field of nominees at this year’s Grammy Awards.

Stereophonics’ new band, Far from Saints, will also be playing, in what will be their first festival appearance.

On the back of winning ‘Music Event of the Year’ at the Event Production Awards and ‘Best New Festival on the Block’ at the Independent Festival Awards, this really is a festival that needs to be seen to be believed. It’s like walking into an Americana world that the whole family will enjoy. It’s AMAZING. 🤩

Day and weekend tickets are on sale now.

Who’s coming? 🎸 🔥 🦌 🖤

03/03/2023

World Film, I mean ‘Book’ Day.

Jessie from Toy Story and a miserable Minion! 🫠

21/02/2023

A special visit to this afternoon for a tour and gin tasting.

Very much looking forward to what the vineyards produce soon. 🍇

Thank you Christy for looking after us so well. We Loved it 😋💫🍃🐑

10/02/2023

I love this place. Alot! Always a great lunch at .lane with my fabulous PR friend Hannah . 🍃

29/01/2023

Last night I had the pleasure (albeit it was totally out of my comfort zone), of interviewing England and Harlequins rugby legend to a live audience at the as a fundraiser for the wonderful .

The evening raised over £3k for the charity that helps and supports families living in Sussex affected by cancer. 💛

A BIG thank you to everyone involved who made it such a special night, not least Joe for his candid chat about life, rugby and mental health, his very merry musings and hilarious commentary all round. Also for donating rugby shirts, boots and signed copies of Loosehead books that raised £1.5k in the auction.

Joe’s podcast is well worth a listen or watch him live as he’s touring the UK, that includes a show date at the London Palladium on 18 April.

Joe, you’re an absolute legend! THANK YOU SO MUCH.🏉👂💥

20/12/2022

Fab to see client Gun Brewery & Taproom appear in this month’s So Magazines. Thank you 💫

24/11/2022

A wonderful afternoon spent at Charleston Farmhouse as an early Christmas treat with Evie, courtesy of Wilderness PR client Zoe of .

So much Bloomsbury beauty in each room. Loved it. 💫🧡

24/11/2022

Autumn 🍂

12/11/2022

Great to see Wilderness PR client Cabins and Castles in today’s Guardian.

Fab work by Evie. 💫

From the Highlands to Cornwall, we select stylish boltholes on hills, coasts and in deep, soothing countryside. Come on, light that fire …

02/11/2022

Thank you to and stylists and for making Ivy look festively fabulous in the winter edition of (out now).

It was so much fun to be part of this shoot last month and I very much enjoyed seeing Ivy get preened, pampered and dressed up for this special occasion.

Thank you .hearne for the fabulous pics and for the rather splendid backdrop. It definitely got us all in the festive mood. 💫 🎄

31/05/2022

Busy morning yesterday for client Black Deer Festival.

All worth it though for a great piece on last night’s ITV Meridian.

Thank you to Will from Noble Jacks for his toe-tapping amazingness. 🎥 🎻 🖤 🦌

To listen to Will and to watch the full news item, please click the link below. ⬇️

https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2022-05-30/europes-largest-americana-and-country-music-festival-ready-for-eridge-comeback

The Black Deer music festival at Eridge Park had to cancel twice because of Covid restrictions - and is now set to return in June | ITV News Meridian

17/05/2022

Excited to announce that Wilderness PR has been appointed to work on this year’s Black Deer Festival.

Taking place at Eridge Park, 17 - 19 June, we will be offering our local media and influencer knowledge and expertise to the festival that plays homage to the cultural heritage of Americana. 🇺🇸

Topping the bill is Van Morrison, Wilco, The Water Boys, Jake Bugg, Imelda May and Grammy-nominated Nashville star Cam.

There will be loads of activities on offer, including plenty for the kids, live fire cooking from the UK’s best smokehouse chefs, layers of American-inspired lifestyle and retail, as well as motorcycle culture with Harley Davidsons.

**Day and weekend tickets available.**

Postponed for two years due to Covid, this year is set to be BIGGER and BETTER than ever. 🖤🦌

26/04/2022

PR reunion and revelations!

Brilliant to be back with these two, plus , years after working together in London agency. A very special meet-up. 💫

02/03/2022

Excited to announce that Wilderness PR client Flimwell Park will be featuring on Sunday’s episode of Countryfile BBC1 at 7pm.

Hear what architect Steve Johnson has to say and learn more about what goes on at the 46 acre, mixed-use woodland development that sits in an AONB.

It’s an incredible place that blends living, dining, working and education, with sustainability at its core.

This is Wilderness PR’s second client to feature on Countryfile in three years.

💫

13/01/2022

Delicious belated Christmas lunch with at in Southborough, which is well worth a visit. Head chef, Robert Taylor . Mouthwatering deliciousness. 💫

31/12/2021

Happy New Year! 🤩

12/12/2021

Thank you to the wonderful for the new head shots. 🥸

12/12/2021

Last night in a barn, in Firle.🔥🦃

Thank you , and team for putting on such a fab event. Food was ace. Dancing and Eggnog even better. We loved it! 🎸

07/12/2021

We are pleased to secure Flimwell Park on Enki Magazine online this week.

We have secured a number of clients in Enki over the years - in print and digitally.

It's a brilliant consumer facing title that celebrates the best in architecture and design.

https://bit.ly/3rJcQr5

In the Sussex woodland, Flimwell Park is a sustainable mixed-use project proving architectural and woodland development can work in harmony.