An inspirational train trip

June 9th, 2009

We’ve noticed more and more promotional campaigns for places in the UK recently. The other day we were on our way from London Liverpool Street to Norfolk to visit our parents. Every time the train stopped, it seemed, there was a poster paid for by the local tourist board or investment council, correcting misperceptions about the place or urging us to set up a business. We didn’t know where to get off! Perhaps our favourite was the county-wide campaign for Suffolk (headline: ‘Isn’t it time you Suffolk-ated your family?’). But there were lots of great ideas and it was heartening to see the region’s creativity bubbling through. Here is our journey in full, told in tag lines:

Shenfield. The jewel of Essex.
Ingatestone. Will your business be the first to thrive in Ingatestone?
Chelmsford. With a leading polytechnic university, two cinemas and four nightclubs, it’s no wonder the Romans settled here.
Witham. Have you rejected Witham too hastily?
Marks Tey. The furthest viable commute from London.
Colchester. You’re wrong about Colchester.
Manningtree. Will somebody visit Manningtree!
Ipswich. What will your IP address be?
Stowmarket. There’s plenty of room in Stowmarket.
Diss. You’ll be shocked by the changes taking place in Diss.

Entry Filed under: Ideas, Travel, advertising