News staff who helped make Newsquest South West a success have been rewarded at an awards ceremony to recognise their contribution.
It was the first event of its kind for the area’s daily and weekly newspapers, and the top prize – Newspaper of the Year – went to the Somerset County Gazette.
More than 70 editorial and newspaper sales staff from Newsquest centres in Andover, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall were there.
The event had attracted quality entries across 13 categories – testimony to the high standard of journalism and newspaper sales skills displayed by staff from across the region, according to hosts Mark Jones, editor of Gazette newspapers in Basingstoke, and Ken Bird, editor-in-chief of Newsquest Somerset.
The other award winners were:
Camborne and Redruth Packet
Elizabeth Roberts, of the Basingstoke Gazette: two major stories involving drugs and firefighters clinched victory. The highly commended award went to Edward Keating, of the Somerset County Gazette.
Lesley Bates took the prestigious title for her easy writing style, humour and sensitivity.
Graeme Hamlett of the Basingstoke Gazette, for his style, passion and knowledge.
James Simnett of the Somerset County Gazette
Tom Bellchambers, from the Basingstoke Gazette, for picture of a war veteran.
Linda Morris, from the Basingstoke Gazette.
Melissa Terry, from the Salisbury Journal.
thisisbasingstoke.co.uk – for its unusual and innovative sections.
Somerset County Gazette Earthquake Special.
Forest Journal easily clinched it, with a year-on-year increase of 11 per cent.
Speaking after the event, Salisbury Newspapers’ publisher Bill Browne said: “It was nice to see so many members of the editorial and circulation teams participate.
“And it was particularly good to see many of them rewarded for their hard work during the year.”
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