THIS month marks the first anniversay of the launch of the Shaw and Crompton Correspondent – then one of four papers in a thriving, independent group of newspapers.
Just 12 months later the staff responsible for producing the Correspondent – together with our sister titles the Saddleworth Independent, Mossley Correspondent, Stalybridge Correspondent and latterly the Royton Correspondent – have been shortlisted for a prestigious media honour.
We have been selected by judges as finalists in two categories in the O2 Media Awards North West taking place at Chester Racecourse on November 8.
All the leading media players in the North West feature in the event. BBC Breakfast’s Louise Minchin will again host the ceremony when the winners of the 26 individual and team categories will be revealed.
So, we are proud to confirm our company, Local Communications Limited, has been shortlisted in the Team (Print) of the Year category alongside the Liverpool Echo, the Evening Sentinel, Stoke and the Warrington Guardian.
In addition, the Stalybridge Correspondent is in the running for Community Publication of the Year up against the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, Asian Herald and Tameside Reporter.
Local Communications Editor-in-Chief, Aimee Belmore, said: “We’re delighted to be shortlisted in the O2 Media Awards, competing against top names in the industry.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the positive response from the community towards our papers since we launched in Shaw and Crompton and Stalybridge 12 months ago.
“Our small but dedicated team prides itself on delivering high quality, interesting and local news and really being a part of the areas and communities we cover.
“Our latest addition to our titles – the Royton Correspondent – comes after demand from readers to expand our coverage even further and we’re proud to be able to deliver that.”
The awards evening will look back at some of the biggest news events ever to hit the region.
“This year has seen the anniversaries of some significant news events,” says Nicola Green, Director of Corporate Affairs at O2.
“Judges were impressed by the way in which many of these globally-known stories were remembered and re-imagined for today’s audiences.
“The finalists include a wide range of diverse media organisations – large and small. We are looking forward to celebrating that diversity and range of talent when the winners are revealed.”
This year O2 will also present the Rachael Bland Social Media Award in memory of the BBC North West Tonight and BBC Radio Five presenter who lost her fight against cancer in September.
To see a full list of awards categories and nominees, visit: https://news.o2.co.uk/press-release/o2-media-awards-north-west-shortlist-announced/