Making all news look good

Prize proof that someone likes our columnist

The Gazette tasted awards success as the best of journalism in Kent was celebrated in the city.

Canterbury’s St Lawrence Ground hosted the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards on Friday, recognising the talent of media staff across the county.

Among them was Gazette columnist Harry Bell, whose weekly contributions were described by judges as “distinctive and wellwritten”.

The ever- divisive Harry scooped the title of Columnist of the Year in the category’s inaugural appearance at the event.

Awards host and Channel 4 News presenter Cathy Newman said: “In most situations being called ‘sharp and angry’ wouldn’t be a compliment but the judges loved the style of the Harry Bell column.

“A full page every week, the column has a small army of fans and ‘Harry’ even has his own Twitter account.

“Not afraid to be disliked, the column covers a wide variety of topics, criticises and entertains in equal measure.

“The judges feel Harry has quite an edge when it comes to political commentary and overall the column was distinctive and well-written.”

Also picking up an award was production journalist Debbie Neech, who was named Kent Designer of the Year.

Debbie – who has worked for the KM Group for 33 years – submitted three Kentish Gazette pages she had lovingly crafted. Mrs Newman said: “The judges were particularly impressed with the fact she manages to put creativity into the process when she designs more than 60 pages a week across the group’s 22 paidfor newspapers.

“They also praised Debbie for ‘doing something different’ and adding value simply because she wants to.”

Elsewhere, KM Group staff won a host of top awards, including the much-coveted Print Journalist of the Year, which went to Lizzie Massey of the Gravesend Messenger.

Kent Online’s Gareth Arnold was Digital Journalist of the Year, with the website also picking up Best Use of Social Media.

Tom Acres, also of the Gravesend Messenger, shared the title of Young Journalist of the Year, with Martin Apps winning Press Photographer of the Year in a shortlist dominated by KM Group staff.

The Gazette’s successful appeal to raise £10,000 for victims of the Tannery estate fire was also shortlisted for Campaign of the Year.

KM Group editorial director Ian Carter said: “It was great to see KM picking up so many honours for the second year in a row.

“We’ve got a fantastic, dedicated editorial team and it was pleasing to see their hard work recognised.”

Debbie Neech receives the Designer of the Year prize at the Kent Press and Broadcast Awards from Andrew Jackson, commercial manager of sponsors Lightmaker; news editor Joe Walker, right, accepted the Columnist of the Year award on behalf of the absent...