A state-of-the-art laptop computer and insider knowledge from a leading London literary agent are some of the prizes on offer to the winner of The bloc-online Writing Prize 2004 - a new kind of writing competition launched by Falmouth College of Arts' distinctive postgraduate Professional Writing programme.
The programme - which offers students the choice of a PgDip or MA award - established its Web site, www.bloc-online.com, as a resource for writers and people interested in writing in 1999.

The Press Association staff photographer Cathal McNaughton was named Vodafone Northern Ireland Press Photographer of the Year 2004 at a ceremony in Belfast.
In a strong showing from the agency, its Belfast-based photographer Paul Faith, already a three times overall winner, was judged winner of the Sports Picture of the Year and was runner-up in the News and Politics section. Cathal was also a runner up in the People section.

An innovative competition organised by the Western Daily Press saw Malmesbury and District Skittles League crowned World Champions.
The contest aimed to find the top teams and premier players in its circulation area following the resounding success of the paper's dedicated coverage of the sport with 12 editionalised pages a week, and regional finals were held in Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Bath with winners going through to a grand final held in Devizes.

A new International Journalism Course was launched this week - by awarding a scholarship to a poor student in Nigeria.
The course is the latest online option from Cleland Thom Journalism Training Services and was set up after inquiries from as far afield as Lebanon, Canada, Israel, the USA and Japan. The scholarship was awarded to Sunday Nwaolisa, (32), from Surulere, near Lagos, and covers the course fees, exam fees and the cost of all training materials.

Archant London's Ham and High Broadway have recently purchased new jackets to support their anti fly-posting and graffiti campaign.
The paper works closely with the community to aid a cleaner and safer environment.

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