| Name: |
Alan Hart |
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Professional title
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Freelance Travel Writer and Photographer |
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Address |
68 London Road North
Poynton
Cheshire SK12 1BY |
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Telephone (day)
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01625 872746 |
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Telephone (evening)
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01625 872746 |
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Fax:
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01625 872746 |
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Mobile
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07747 047063 |
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E-mail
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alanhartuk@yahoo.com |
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Website 1
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Website 2
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Biography |
Alan Hart was born in Sale, Cheshire, and left Altrincham Grammar School with five GCSE 'O' Levels to begin his career as a 16-year-old cub reporter on the Sale and Stretford Guardian in 1962. After serving his indentures there he joined the Oldham Evening Chronicle as a news reporter. Aged 21, Alan accepted a job with the Stewart and Hartley Freelance Agency in Manchester, covering major criminal trials at Manchester Crown Court from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays he became a soccer writer, reporting on the home games of Manchester United and City. By now he was writing for national newspapers and providing audio and visual reports for radio and TV.
At the age of 25, Alan was recruited by the News of the World to work as a staff reporter. Initially he was a general news hack covering human interest stories. He also filed reports from the wars in Ulster and the Middle East. In latter years he worked as a showbiz writer, interviewing celebrities for articles.
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Main professional activities |
Since leaving school Alan has always worked as a journalist. He has never had a proper job. |
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Memberships |
Alan was accepted for membership of the British Guild of Travel Writers in 2007. |
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Awards |
In 2008 the British Guild of Travel Writers named Alan as UK Travel Writer of the Year. |
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Most recent publications |
February 8, 2009: "Fjord Explorer," Sunday Mirror. This was an article on a cruise round the Norwegian fjords by a group of hikers. |
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Other important publications |
Alan is a regular contributor to the Sunday Mirror and People national newspapers, to the Trinity Mirror regional newspaper group and to various magazines. |
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Areas of particular interest or expertise |
Alan enjoys a variety of travel experiences, but has been especially succesful at obtaining commissions for articles on hiking and cruising. |
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Other relevant information |
Alan wrote a book with war hero Bill Pickering entitled The Bandits of Cisterna. It told the story of how Bill won the Military Medal for his courage after being parachuted behind enemy lines in Piedmont, Italy, as a member of the S.O.E. The book, published by Leo Cooper in 1991, was translated into Italian in 2006 and distributed throughout schools and libraries there.
In 1997 Alan graduated with a BA (Honours) degree in English literature and modern history from the Open University. |