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East of England Media Awards: What the judges said

With more than 250 entries to sift through, the panel of  judges for this year’s EDF Energy East of England Media Awards faced a tough task in choosing a winner for each of the 20 categories.

Here’s our round-up of what the judges said about the victorious entrants together with the pictures of them receiving their awards.

The prizes were presented by Jim Crawford, station director of EDF Energy’s Sizewell B plant in Suffolk, and Paralympics 200m bronze medallist Ben Rushgrove.

All pictures are by James Fletcher.


Newcomer of the Year – James Drummond, Essex Chronicle

“James uses contacts, tip-offs and sound news sense in his work.  He tracks down a prolific thief fresh out of prison, just 18 months into a 5-year sentence, for one strong story which went national.

“And he was competing with national media on the story of gunman Peter Reeve, who killed himself after shooting dead a police officer in Clacton. James found a witness who provided a detailed account of the incident.”

Digital Journalist of the Year – Michael Bailey, Archant Norfolk

“Michael is a prolific Tweeter – heading towards 20,000 when he entered the awards, but uses a variety of platforms including podcasts and live sites to engage with readers.

“The content is engaging and one podcast is now sponsored. The multi-channel approach is well thought out to supplement his printed column in the Eastern Daily Press.  A combination of quality content and top notch engagement.”

Specialist Journalist of the Year – Jon Austin, Basildon Echo.  Award collected by Echo editor Martin McNeill.

“Jon is renowned for his investigative approach. His entry demonstrated good depth, meticulous research, great use of contacts and strong writing.

“Undercover filming helped lift the lid on a holiday scam, with Jon being threatened with legal action. Investigations into police failings, possible corruption and suspected use of informants led to another string of exclusives.”

News Photographer of the Year – Denise Bradley, Archant Norfolk

“There’s great variety in Denise’s work.  The judges loved the charity ransom photo – fundraisers guarded by two stern police offers. The composition is well thought through, time has been taken to get everything right and the end result is a brilliant image.

“The fifty Shades of Grey photo is beautifully set up and lots of fun – and the paramedic cradling the injured child an excellent news photo.”

Sports Journalist of the Year – Dave Gooderham, East Anglian Daily Times/ Ipswich Star

“A great mix of sports news and features saw David Gooderham earn his spot on this year’s shortlist. Writing for the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star, he crams a lot of background work into his day – but the results are worth it, as evidenced in his exclusive on the demise of Jimmy Bullard at Ipswich Town – a well-sourced and well written piece.

“A supplement on Ipswich’s Division One title-winning season of 1962 saw David given the space to delve into the history books, with great use of archive, stats, player profiles and interviews.”

Feature Writer of the Year – Emma Higginbotham, Cambridge News

“A brilliant interview with Mary Archer takes pride of place in Emma Higginbotham’s awards entry. After a frosty reception to begin with, the Cambridge News reporter coaxes some great responses from Mary, who reflects on her marriage to Jeffrey Archer and battle with cancer.

“Her final piece was an emotion-wracked interview with the mother of a four-year-old who died after contracting meningitis. Another fine read.”

Columnist of the Year – Paul Kirkley, Cambridge News

“A huge amount of work goes into Paul Kirkley’s Newsround columns in the Cambridge News. Above all, they’re designed to make readers laugh.

“There’s a comical interview set in 2017 with Britain’s Got Talent winner Pudsey – By then the talented pooch has fallen on hard times and forced to move from his Kensington penthouse into digs in Battersea.”

Designer of the Year – Annette Hudson, Archant Norfolk

“Bold use of colour and classic design mixed with innovation, are trademarks of Annette Hudson’s work at Archant Norfolk.  The judges loved the Beatles-style front cover for the Pink Un ahead of Norwich City’s match at Liverpool.

“Her final entry – Pandora’s box – was well thought out and brought to life the dry but important subject of a G20 summit. There’s care and attention given to the detail but never at the expense of the overall look and feel.”

Radio Journalist of the Year – James Melley, BBC Essex

“A first rate broadcast journalist. His investigation into the practices at the Partridge Care Centre is revealing and thorough in its approach.

“James has a flair for finding original and exclusive stories. He shows great sensitivity in his handling of the domestic refuge funding crisis, gaining rare access to the centre and the women living there.”

Television Journalist of the Year – Kate Prout, ITV Anglia

“Kate’s entry included two fantastic reports from Afghanistan. In the first, from Helmand Province, she allows soldiers from the 1st Royal Anglians the opportunity to talk about their role and the conflict.

“Her final entry was a reflective piece about a farmer turned wildlife photographer. The script is minimal and tied to the pictures and music used. Brilliant camerawork and being on site at the right time for lighting, all effectively combine.”

Weekly Print Journalist of the Year- James Drummond, Essex Chronicle

“The Essex Chronicle’s James Drummond has already won Newcomer of the Year, and now finds himself shortlisted for best weekly print journalist. He submitted three powerful stories, all benefiting from top notch journalism and writing skills.

“As we’ve already heard today, a one-man crimewave, the family travelling to Germany for the trial of the men accused of killing their son and coverage of the Clacton gunman Peter Reeve all feature.  A series of stories, worthy of the nationals, brilliantly developed and well written.”

Daily Print Journalist of the Year – Jon Austin, Basildon Echo.  Award collected by Echo editor Martin McNeill.

“Regular winner of this award, Jon Austin returns with another set of outstanding investigative stories. ‘More than just a news story’ is how one judge described the detailed work of a journalist celebrating a decade in the industry.

“A holiday scam, a rogue accountant and police failings all get the ‘Austin treatment’ resulting in page after page of exclusives and follow up reports.”

Website of the Year – www.pinkun.com. Award collected by web editor Peter Raven.

“Pinkun.com is an engaging and interactive site with Norwich City at its core, fantastically integrated with a range of social channels.  With 37m page views last year, thousands get involved with its live interactive coverage of matches, while its regular Norwich City podcast often achieves over 70,000 downloads.

“Shades it on account of its great engagement with its audience, value added content and integration across digital channels.”

Community Campaign of the Year – A Friend in Need, Norwich Evening NewsAward collected by reporter Mark Shields, who helped devise the campaign.

“A friend in need” by the Norwich Evening News was a very emotive community campaign.  It began with a poignant front page about the elderly man found dead in his own home. He’d lain undiscovered for three months.

“This was the catalyst for a brilliantly-executed campaign. Linking with Voluntary Norfolk, the News tried to encourage people to give up their time and befriend isolated and vulnerable people in Norwich.”

Front Page of the Year – Farewell to a city legend, Norwich Evening News.  Award collected by executive editor David Powles.

“The Evening News went for a brave approach with its tribute to Norwich City great John Bond. The special wraparound and colour treatment – turning the front page including the masthead black and yellow – certainly worked, with the paper putting on an extra 1,000 sales.

“It’s a lovely main photo alongside tasters of what readers would find inside – tribute pieces, reaction from current and former players and managers and of course fans.”

Radio News or Current Affairs Programme of the Year – The Dave Monk Show, BBC Essex.  Award collected by Charlotte Hayward.

“The Dave Monk Show, on BBC Essex, left our judges wanting to hear more. The ‘Blue Badge’ story was a good example of investigative journalism and the ability to hold those in authority to account.

“The entry also showed Dave’s ability to successfully deal with a breaking news story and he was also able to handle, with great sensitivity, an interview with the mother of a young man who killed himself after getting into debt.”

Television News and Current Affairs Programme of the Year – ITV Anglia.  Award collected by Catherine Houlihan.

“The team exclusively revealed Anglian Water’s first hosepipe ban in more than 20 years, days before official confirmation. The piece took in farmers, gardeners and householders and the likely impacts.

“The final entry was an Olympic Torch Relay special. It dominated reporting for just over a week. Daily live coverage, outside broadcasts, interviews and pre-recorded packages told the stories of the local Torchbearers, street parties, behind the scenes reports and there was even a 700-strong Torchbearer roll of honour.”

Free Weekly Newspaper of the year – Bedford MidweekAward collected by editor Keeley Knowles (second left) and her team.

“Bright, breezy and interesting” said one judge about new title Bedford Midweek. A modern and engaging title, with a good story count, bite-sized news, stand-out design and interactive with its new readership.

“Content is lively and fun, with readers’ tweets, pictures, columnists and guest contributors key aspects of the offering. Its website, Twitter and Facebook channels are well-integrated into the overall package.”

Paid For Weekly Newspaper of the Year – Brentwood Gazette Award collected by editor Nev Wilson, second left.

“The Brentwood Gazette is packed with hard news and offers readers a complete package – news, features, columns, letters, entertainment, leisure, sport and business, not to mention various supplements.

“There’s good use of photos too, great design and a strong personality resonates throughout.”

Daily Newspaper of the Year Award – Basildon Echo.  Award collected by editor Martin McNeill.

“It’s “page after page of page-turning news” said one judge, as he pored over the Basildon Echo. Big and bold is its approach – it had the news in 2012 to match.

“In your face headlines and photos complement the strong journalistic approach, be it coverage of a fatal stabbing or shooting, or Olympic features and busy sports section. As one judge commented, this is a title that delivers exactly what it says on the tin.”