The 2005 winners of the EDF Energy South West Media Awards are:

Newspaper Photographer of the Year:
Gareth Williams, Express & Echo.

“These were impressive pictures of real people in real situations, demonstrating style and technical competence. Gareth’s enthusiasm shines through, and he has shown that high quality, original photography can be achieved at regional level.”

Nominated:
Matthew Austin, Express & Echo;
Lewis Whyld, South West News Service;
Paul Gillis, Western Daily Press.

Community Campaign of the Year:
Weston and Somerset Mercury/North Somerset Times.

“An outright winner – a great campaign that makes a difference to the readers and brings a smile to the face with the terrific use of kids’ pictures. This campaign has a tremendous feel-good aspect for the paper.”

Nominated:
Bath Chronicle (Julian House);
Express & Echo (Shockwaves);
The Citizen (UNICEF/Tsunami appeal).

Website of the Year:
thisiswiltshire.co.uk

“It was the clear winner, based on design, content, topicality, ease-of-use and interactivity. It gave the best local site with easy access to 17 towns in the area. There is a very good Swindon Town FC section and many other excellent features, including Weird Wiltshire. Highlights also include a community network, virtual cards and find-a-friend pages.”

Nominated:
bbc.co.uk/bristol

Feature Writer of the Year:
Cris Warren, Bristol Evening Post

“Cris’s piece on his father was a gripping read that took us into the mind and emotions of the writer in an engagingly honest way. His interview with Stephanie Cole did not stop at the normal celebrity pat answers and took the feature on to a strong debate on the arts in Bristol.”

Nominated:
Tim Davey, Bristol Evening Post;
Ruth Kelly, Wellington Weekly News;
Becky Moran, Express & Echo.

Sports Journalist of the Year:
Andy Stockhausen, Bristol Evening Post.

“Andy brought out the real profile of sport in the community with a series of incisive interviews on subjects ranging from sports academics to racism in football.”

Nominated:
Chris Rogers, North Devon Journal;
Danny Hall, Western Daily Press;
Andy Phelan, Evening Herald, Plymouth.

Business Journalist of the Year:
Paul Matthews, Express & Echo

“Paul managed to handle three good business stories in a way that fitted then perfectly for eye-catching front page treatment.”

Nominated:
Robert Buckland, Western Daily Press;
Chloe Rigby, Bristol Evening Post;
Emma Corlett, Western Morning News.

Environmental Journalist of the Year:
‘The Eco Report’ team, Western Daily Press.

“An outstanding series which put the issues high on the agenda for a week. A hard-hitting variety – ranging from twisters to marine life.”

Nominated:
Bob Beale, Bristol Evening Post;
Colin Gregory, The West Briton;
Brian Carter, Herald Express.

Newcomer of the Year:
Steve Swinford, Western Daily Press.

“Steve’s entries show an ability for hard news reporting and a doggedness for getting behind the story. His expose on paedophiles was a mature piece of writing.”

Nominated:
David Edbrooke, Express & Echo;
Robert Preece, Evening Herald;
Charlie Webb, Gloucestershire Echo.

Front Page of the Year:
Cornish Guardian.

“An almost inevitable inclusion of the Boscastle images – but this paper took a bold risk to treat it differently, across the front and back.”

Nominated:
Tiverton Gazette,
Western Daily Press,
Western Morning News

Radio Journalist of the Year:
Sarah Moore, Salisbury reporter for BBC Radio Wiltshire

“Her entry demonstrated a wide range of reporting abilities, from hard news and the Black Watch soldiers in Iraq, to lively out and about in the radio car, and creativity in her package making. Her rapport with the station and presenters was mature and comfortable. She showed herself to be capable, confident and creative in any given situation… the requirements of a first class reporter.”

Nominated:
Heather Skull, (BBC Radio Wiltshire);
Naomi Rowe, (BBC Radio Cornwall).

Print Journalist of the Year (Weekly):
Adam Stones, Western Gazette

“Very strong exclusive story of masked boys armed with fake guns who ended up in the police cells. Also, combined with two other quite distinct stories which highlight the qualities of his journalism. All three stories made powerful front pages and his drunk kids expose was highly topical and sparked a series of news items on anti-social behaviour.”

Nominated:
Paul Armstrong, Packet Newspapers;
Ruth Kelly, Wellington Weekly News,
Tom Shepherd, Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard.

Print Journalist of the Year (Daily):
Victoria Temple, The Citizen

“She has had an amazing year – from her graphic account of the biggest story of 2004, written in half an hour in an Internet café in Colombo – to her five-week trip to Romania, which produced a strong heartfelt campaign. The holocaust survivor interview rounded off an individual and memorable portfolio.”

Nominated:
Tamash Lal, Swindon Evening Advertiser;
Ben Norman, Express & Echo;
Simon Peevers, Bristol Evening Post.

Weekly Newspaper of the Year:
Cornish Guardian

“Very strong treatment of national stories, including the Boscastle story, Angela Canning and the tsunami disaster, which combine with a big package of relevant and interesting local news and features to produce a compelling and interesting paper.”

Nominated:
Gazette & Herald,
News and Journal (Stroud),
Weston and Somerset Mercury.

Daily Newspaper of the Year:
Western Morning News

“A comprehensive, authoritative offering to a readership it clearly knows and understands. The paper covers both the traditional daily territory and the big blockbuster stories with confidence and without departing from its distinctive style.”

Nominated:
Bristol Evening Post;
Express & Echo;
The Citizen.