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EDF Energy Awards: Winners gallery and what the judges said

This year’s EDF Energy London and South East Media Awards saw 313 entries across 20 categories, with 39 entries for Newcomer of the Year and 37 for Weekly Print Journalist of the Year.

Here’s our gallery of the winners receiving their awards together with a full round-up of what the judges said about the victorious entrants.

Awards were presented by Martin Pearson, station director of EDF Energy’s nuclear power station at Dungeness, and Paralympic rowing gold medallist Tom Aggar.

All pictures are by Nigel Bowles of John Connor Associates.

Newcomer of the Year: Bill Gardner, The Argus, Brighton

“A great story on the’ care home call girls’, with staff booking prostitutes for disabled residents. A tabloid subject perhaps, but the treatment is very balanced – both sides of the story are put.”

Digital Journalist of the Year:  Gareth Davies, Croydon Advertiser

“Gareth’s legal knowledge, tenacity and use of social media are evident in his live coverage on Twitter of a witness’s bid to have [him] barred from court. National media attention saw 800 extra followers gained in little more than two hours.

Specialist Journalist of the Year:  Colin Campbell, BBC South East Today.  Award collected by Victoria Holland.

“Colin elevates regional news to national importance. His investigations helped expose safeguarding failings and child sex abuse at churches across Sussex, prompting police investigations and leading to changes in Church of England policy.”

Sports Journalist of the Year: Sally Simmonds, ITV Meridian

“Sally has a lovely reporting style.  Her entry included a brilliant piece on Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Ainslie. Sally went for a different approach, chasing Ben and his coach for months to secure a double interview, which works really well.”

Designer of the Year: Ashley Austen, KM Group

“His entry included a lovingly crafted special 12-page report on the Thames Estuary airport proposal and a bright and bold online interactive map detailing local connections with James Bond.  Brilliant combinations of imagery and graphics.”

News Photographer of the Year: Simon Dack, The Argus

“Simon gets straight to the point in his work. There’s great variety too. Each photo tells a story – the cat shot in the eye, the father and son, heads bowed, as the Christmas swim is cancelled. “

Feature Writer of the Year:  Alice Hutton, Camden New Journal

“Alice displays dedication to her craft with tireless and thorough research. She always provides a fine intro and the reader is hooked in the very first few words.  Great empathic feature writing and three fascinating reads.”

Columnist of the Year: Tim Ridgway, The Argus

“Witty, clever, intelligent and well-constructed, Tim’s writing is a great asset for the Argus.  He stands up for seagulls, offers a highly amusing slant on the political issues of the day, and always generates a good level of debate amongst readers.”

Weekly Print Journalist of the Year: Gareth Davies, Croydon Advertiser

“A lengthy investigation into victims of the 2011 summer riots anchor a strong entry.  Interviews with many different people pay off with a real community-focused report.  Strong stories and captivating reads.”

Daily Print Journalist of the Year: Jenny Makin, Southern Daily Echo

“Jenny’s entry showed a good journalist’s greatest asset… a nose for a great story and superb contacts. A very talented reporter who turns opportunities into brilliant stories. “

Radio News Journalist of the Year: Nick Ferrari, LBC97.3

“Nick  is an authoritative and confident broadcaster.  His live reporting stands out and he’s always at pains to be clear and concise, no matter what the subject matter.  A class all-round act.”

TV News Journalist of the Year: Simon Harris, ITV News London

“An accomplished operator, he reports with authority and clarity.  Reporting and package-making skills of the highest order, and an ability to produce output that really resonates.”

Community Campaign of the Year: ITV Meridian, From the Heart

“A moving and powerful series on organ donors, which got results – a big increase in organ donors of more than 1000pc. It was very powerful television, emotional and a campaign that achieved a lasting impact.”

Front Page of the Year: Croydon Advertiser, Time for New Heroes

“The fade from the black and white of yesterday’s heroes to the bold colour of today’s players, works really well. A bold approach, matched by great thought and confidence in the final delivery.”

Website of the Year: The News, Portsmouth.co.uk

“First to get the new Johnston Press website template and the result is a striking redesign. Live blogs have been a particular feature live coverage of the High Court case in which the Pompey Supporters Trust won control of the club.

Weekly Free Newspaper of the Year: Slough and South Bucks Express

“The Slough and South Bucks Express does well on its celebrity news, mixed in with court cases, planning matters, councillor spates and crime. It’s bright and bold in design and packed with readers’ faces.

Weekly Paid for Newspaper of the Year: Medway Messenger

“The Medway Messenger offers readers an extremely good mix.  There’s a well thought out approach that strikes a balance between hard news and the lighter side of life.”

Radio News Programme of the Year: LBC 97.3, Woolwich News Special

“Powerful reporting is prominent in LBC 97.3’s Woolwich News Special, covering the murder of soldier Lee Rigby.  There are dramatic eye-witness reports, and live inserts helping to create the sense of being in the thick of the action.”

TV News/Current Affairs Programme of the Year: ITV News London, Woolwich attack, Vauxhall helicopter crash, London Olympics

“Exclusive footage, eye-witness accounts, interviews with Boris Johnson, tribute pieces and getting in and amongst local communities – the team come across as part of the community they represent, rather than reporting at a distance.”

Daily Newspaper of the Year: Bournemouth Daily Echo

“Fresh design, enticing front pages, bold photography and regular hard news. A paper with a genuine focus on what matters to its readers. It’s packed with hard news, in-depth features, community content and stand out supplements. “

2 comments

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  • November 29, 2013 at 1:13 pm
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    Well done all the winners and nominees. But why are all the presentation pictures wonky?

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  • December 4, 2013 at 6:44 am
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    Dear EDF Energy Awards, Congratulations Alice hutton !

    I would like to comment on how delighted we are that Alice Hutton , Feature Writer from the Camden New Journal ,won feature writer of the Year in the recent awards. Truly well deserved.

    Alice has written a number of stories helping me to locate Airmen Killed in Action. the most recent feature story was produced after she came to Markelo in the Netherlands to Cover the 70th Memorial of the
    the crashes of 3 Bombers in 1943. One of my relations died and i tried to spent a long time tracing the families so they could attend.
    Alice Hutton was so ready to help, research, ask questions dig ,dig and come to the Netherlands. She bring passion, drive and a human interest to her this story. We feel very delighted for her and for all the families she represented in her feature story.
    We have been very lucky to have her write this story.

    The award is recognition of her creative, researched hard work
    and the Camden New Journal for supporting such great writing.

    Many thanks Alice !!!

    from Darryl and Lesley Robertson. New Zealand
    All the families of the WW11 fallen airmen
    The people of Markelo and the Fallen Airmen Markelo memorial committee.

    http://www.memorialmarkelo.nl/

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