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EDF East of England Awards: What the judges said

The EDF Energy East of England Awards 2013 saw more than 250 entries from across the region.

Now in their ninth year, the awards were handed out at a ceremony this afternoon at Stansted’s Radisson Blu Hotel.

Presenting the prizes were paralympian Natasha Baker and Tom McGarry, Communications Manager at EDF Energy’s Sizewell C plant.

The judging panel comprised Ian Murray, editor of the Southern Daily Echo, Simon Dack, photographer at The Argus in Brighton, Andy Steggall of Pergall Media and BBC South, ITV News London political correspondent Simon Harris, Ian Carter, editorial director at Kent Messenger Group, Deanne Blaylock, editor of the Surrey Mirror and Dorking Advertiser group, Paul Linford, editor of HoldtheFrontPage, Glenn Ebrey, editor of the Croydon Advertiser, and Andy Worden, editor of the Crawley News.

Below is our winners’ gallery together with a selection of the judges’ comments.

All pictures are by freelance photographer James Fletcher.

Newcomer of the Year:  Emma Burrows, ITV Anglia

“An investigation into councils selling voters’ personal data saw 11 freedom of information requests made, councils challenged to come clean about what they were doing, and the Cabinet Office having to respond to a host of questions. A reporter really using their own initiative.”

Digital Journalist of the Year:  Michael Bailey, Archant Norfolk

“An expert in his field, the Archant Norfolk reporter, covering Norwich City Football Club, delivers a multi-platform approach, with video packages, live blogs and podcasts. One judge described his prodigious output as ‘like a machine, but the quality is always up there’.”

Specialist Journalist of the Year: Jon Wright, BBC Radio Suffolk

“Jon offers a series of programmes on the centenary celebrations of Lowestoft-born Benjamin Britten. The judges professed to not knowing much about the composer, but were spellbound by the reports. Some of the radio is quite haunting. It’s emotive and has outstanding production values.”

News Photographer of the Year: Ian Burt, Archant

“The judges loved the picture of the boy, in his uniform, racing towards his dad, an RAF pilot just returned from Afghanistan. His foot is off the ground, there’s a plane forming the background – a fantastic shot and one that’s used superbly on the front page of the EDP.”

Sports Journalist of the Year: Michael Bailey, Archant Norfolk

“Michael Bailey is a real all rounder. The EDP got its money-worth from his trip to Portugal following Norwich City’s signing of Ricky Van Wolfswinkel.  Numerous reports for three double page spreads, video and great interviews abound.”

Feature Writer of the Year: Lydia Fallon, Cambridge Newspapers

“A fresh voice, Lydia is a reporter with a sound command of the written word. A feature on a couple expecting their first child, as the dad comes to terms with being diagnosed with terminal cancer, is outstanding. Moving without wallowing in sadness, there’s great questioning and it’s very well written.”

Columnist of the Year: David Giles, Southend Echo and Colchester Gazette

“David writes about being a first-time dad but the column is about so much more than fatherhood. It’s very personal. Writing about bed-time reading with his son, stirs moving memories of his mother, who committed suicide when David was just 10. Real ‘heart on the sleeve’ writing – open, honest and frank.”

Designer of the Year: Annette Hudson, Archant Norfolk

“There’s lovely treatment for a story about a new partnership between the RSPB and local trusts. Around the copy, Annette uses the shapes of different birds to great effect on the page, mixed with note-pad style fact-files to detail each species, all laid out on a fitting scenic image of the Broads.”

Radio Journalist of the Year: Tom Horn, Heart Cambridgeshire

“Tom juggles his role as a reporter with his position as News Editor. His reporting is packed with urgency as Tom travels across the patch to the scene of big stories. Tom’s very good at helping people speak about their feelings, but never pushing it too far.”

Television News Journalist of the Year: Sally Chidzoy, BBC TV East

“Her report on campsite dormitories offered an unusual insight into the challenges of living on health service wages. The story highlighted how Midlands-based paramedics were sleeping in tents whilst working in Cambridgeshire, because they couldn’t afford accommodation locally.”

Weekly Print Journalist of the Year: Ciaran Gold, Hertfordshire Mercury

“Three fantastic stories secured through contacts or tip-offs, Ciaran works really hard to make sure they become great stories. He hears about a Tourette’s sufferer being sent off for swearing in a youth football match, persuading the mother to be interviewed.  The story goes national.”

Daily Print Journalist of the Year: Gina Marden, Basildon Echo

“Gina digs around over several months to reveal the full story of an horrific attack. One man got life for dousing a friend in petrol and setting fire to him. Gina was able to reveal the full story, with shocking pictures of the injuries. Riveting stories that always have people at their heart.”

Website of the Year: Cambridge News Online with cambridge-news.co.uk

“Cambridge-news.co.uk has been successfully re-positioned to be more in line with the newspaper. A relentless focus online has included breaking some great stories, extensive use of videos, maps and slideshows – including over 200 images of the Queen’s visit to the city.”

Community Campaign of the Year: Essex County Standard / Colchester Gazette ‘Cassie’s Law’

“Numerous front page stories, the involvement of MPs, ministers, police chiefs and a petition signed by tens of thousands, finally get the result that so many people had strived for. Cassie’s Law is being used by forces around the country, to save lives.”

Front Page of the Year: Newmarket Journal ‘Farewell to a Legend’

“Close to a perfect page’ was how one judge described ‘Farewell to a Legend’, as the Newmarket Journal pays tribute to Sir Henry Cecil.  It’s a beautifully emotive image of the man regarded as one of the greatest flat racing trainers ever, under a simple but so effective headline.”

Radio News or Current Affairs Programme of the Year: BBC Radio Suffolk

“Brilliant coverage of storms that left more than 40,000 homes without power forms the bedrock of BBC Radio Suffolk’s entry. Countless amazing stories, elderly people asking for help on air, and reporters doing what they do best – covering an unfolding situation across the county.”

Television News and Current Affairs Programme of the Year: ITV News Anglia.

“A programme with deep roots in the community it serves. The East of England has a distinct identity and the Anglia team continues a proud tradition reflecting life in this part of the country. The judges recognised the warmth of the presenters and the compelling story telling.”

Free Weekly Newspaper of the Year: The Comet

“Great stories, breaking news and a string of stand out front pages were hallmarks of The Comet in 2013. Covering North Hertfordshire and mid Bedfordshire, the paper takes the lead on local campaigns and causes, and consistently holds those in authority to account.”

Paid For Weekly Newspaper of the Year: Lowestoft/Southwold Journal

“The paper carried nine pages on one of the biggest and most tragic stories to hit Lowestoft in years – the death of a mother who committed suicide and whose children were later found dead at home. It ably captures the mood of a town united in grief.”

Daily Newspaper of the Year:  Eastern Daily Press

“An imposing title, with big pagination, even on a Monday. Saturday’s is an absolute monster, including a 20-page sports supplement. Always newsy, there are great front pages, superb photography and a high story count. A solid product at the heart of its community.”

3 comments

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  • February 28, 2014 at 2:14 pm
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    Something is wrong here … where’s the annual award for Jon Austin for his tales about the Basildon gypsies?

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  • February 28, 2014 at 9:48 pm
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    Congratulations Michael Bailey on a hard-earned and well deserved sporting double.
    Good to see the EDP got full value out of your trip to see Ricky Van Wolfswinkel – just a shame Norwich City fans can’t say the same about their trips to see the shot-shy Dutch striker.

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  • March 1, 2014 at 8:21 am
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    A case of fiddling while Rome burns having seen the latest Lowestoft journal and Norwich Daily Press ABC figures

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