Chris scoops his rivals to lift top award in journalism

A student journalist from Rutherglen scooped a top award after bagging an interview with one of the UK’s biggest music stars.

Chris McQuade, 34, won Scoop of the Year at the annual Scottish Student Journalism Awards (SSJA) held in Glasgow’s National Piping Centre.

A former pupil at St Margaret Mary’s Secondary, Chris impressed judges with his piece on Shaun Ryder, who has enjoyed huge success with the Happy Mondays and Black Grape.

Ryder is notoriously difficult to pin down for interview, making Chris’ achievement all the more remarkable.

Chris, who has carried out work experience with the Rutherglen Reformer, said: “I am delighted to have won Scoop of the Year as it’s amazing to be recognised by industry professionals. It shows that hard work pays off.

“I had lots of stories to submit this year so it was quite hard to select the right story for the right field. I was just glad to be at the ceremony and winning the award was a very welcome bonus.”

Chris, who will graduate from Glasgow Clyde College this summer, has a background in construction and didn’t start writing until he was 30.

He added: “I thought I would try journalism when the housing market crashed and the construction industry suffered. The industry is changing but I believe that journalists can change with it.”

The award was judged by a panel of industry experts. As part of his prize, Chris has been invited to attend a conference in Carlisle hosted by event sponsors the Society of Editors.

Karen Bale, Journalism and Media lecturer at Glasgow Clyde College, said: “Winning Scoop of the Year is something we are especially proud of, and Chris McQuade’s interview with Shaun Ryder is something that even the most established journalist would struggle to secure.”