Branding Up

I adore working with clients from the hospitality and leisure sector, they’re always such fun! Like Hastings Hotels for example. My association with them stretches back over a number of years. For those not in the know, Hastings Hotels is Northern Ireland’s premier hotel group. Established by Sir William Hastings more than 50 years ago, their portfolio now consists of six luxurious properties across the province. Two of their five star hotels - Culloden Estate and Slieve Donald – include wellness therapy and health facilities called The Spa . January, and the start of a new year, is traditionally the time when people decide to embark on a new fitness regime. So it’s not surprising to learn that the The Spa, in both locations, are super-busy. Hotel guests and non-residents are enjoying the excellent facilities and wonderful array of therapeutic treatments, that they provide. It’s also not unusual to find the odd visiting celebrity enjoying these havens of tranquility too. Origi...

The summer sun was high in the sky. A blazing ball of warmth. The sky so blue, the sand a shimmering white. The little girl screamed and whooped with delight, as she ran from the waves on the Scottish shore. “Mummy! Mummy! Look at me!” she called, as she raced in and out of the water. Her mother smiled and beckoned the little girl to come, as she pulled a cooler bag towards her. Unzipping its lid, a feast of sandwiches, fruit and juice were revealed. Placing a selection of treats on a plate, also contained within the bag, she handed them to the little girl. As she watched her daughter satisfy her appetite, the mother secretly thanked the ‘Bag God’ for creating such a handy vessel to easily carry everything to the beach. – Rhona Hartley, May 2017 BAGS! You have got to love a bag! Give me bags! Beach bags, bum bags, handbags, golf bags! But how much do we know about bags? When, for example, was the humble ‘plastic bag’ created? Not knowing the answer myself, I decided to do a little ...