Connor entries among winners in communications competition

Saturday May 14th 2011

Kathleen Rodgers collects Connor MU's first prize for In Touch from Archbishop Harper.A number of Connor entries enjoyed success in the annual Central Communications Board Communications Competition.

Winners in the categories for the best newsletters/magazines, websites and innovative use of social media by individuals, parishes and dioceses were announced at General Synod on Saturday May 14 by the Archbishop of Armagh.

St Patrick’s Parish, Coleraine, was awarded first prize in the parish magazine/newsletter category; the Diocese of Connor website was joint first in the diocesan websites section; Connor Connections was joint runner up in the diocesan magazines category, while Connor Mothers’ Union was first in the other organisations printed publications category for its In Touch magazine.
.
The competition was independently judged by external media professionals. The judges praised the entrants for their efforts in each category. They noted how there was an increased number of entries in the social media category this year and that entrants were showing innovation and high quality work in all fields.

They praised the quarterly magazine of St Patrick’s, Coleraine, for both its polished design and its thoughtful, well written content and use of images. The judges stated: “There is a clear community focus, an excellent reach across the full age range, and material is well signposted. This is, in short, a lively, colourful and interesting publication and the parish deserves congratulations and an incentive to keep up the fine work.”

The judging panel stated that Connor MU magazine In Touch “sustains its strong position. It packs a lot of information in and uses all the space fully and imaginatively. It is a lively publication in which text and images relate exceptionally well.”

Connor Diocesan Communications Officer Karen Bushby accepts the runners-up prize for Connor Connections from Archbishop Harper. The DCO also accepted a first prize for the diocesan website.Connor’s diocesan website shared first place with the website of the Diocese of Down and Dromore.

“Down & Dromore’s is a site with a modern feel that understands how to attract the visitor through movement, visuals and news. It gives a good impression and is informative, engaging and current,” the judges stated.
 
Of Connor’s website they said: “Connor’s site is fresh looking – easy on the eye, easily navigated and filled with lots of information, stories and photographs. Again, it provides a strong impression of diocesan life.”

For the third successive year N:Vision, the magazine of the Diocese of Derry and Raphoe took the top prize in the diocesan magazine’s category, while Connor’s magazine Connor Connections shared second place with Dublin and Glendalough Diocese’s Church Review.

The judges described Connor Connections as ‘dramatic and eye-catching.’ “It has a clear design with good use of colour and seasonal imagery and good features of a high journalistic standard, with the human interest element very well done.”

Jonny Campbell-Smyth, St Patrick's, Coleraine, receives the prize for best parish magazine from the Archbishop of Armagh.Full results of the competition are below. For judges’ commentary on each on the winning entries, visit the General Synod website.  Constructive comments are available for anyone who would like feedback in any category – please get in touch with the Church of Ireland’s Press Officer, Paul Harron.
 
Communications Competition Winners:

Parish Magazines/Newsletters
Winner: St Patrick’s Coleraine
Second Prize: The Columban – St Columba’s, Knock
Third Prize: St Gall’s, Carnalea
Highly Commended: Tamlaght O’Crilly
Highly Commended: Desertmartin and Termoneeny
Diocesan Magazines
Winner: N:Vision – Derry & Raphoe
Second Prize (equal): Church Review – Dublin & Glendalough
Second Prize (equal): Connor Connections – Connor
Highly Commended: Cashel & Ossory Holy Week: Passion of Jesus supplement
Other Organisations Magazines                 
Winner: In Touch with Connor Mothers’ Union
Runner Up: Soundboard – Newsletter for Church Musicians
Parish Websites
Winner: Holywood Parish
Runner Up: Seapatrick parish
Highly Commended: St Mark’s, Portadown
Diocesan Websites
Joint Winner: Down & Dromore
Joint Winner: Connor
Other Organisations Websites
Winner: 3 Rock Youth
Runner Up: Church 21
Highly Commended: St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin
Social Media
Winner: Friends of Taney Parish FB & accompanying sites
Runner Up: Belvoir Parish FB & Youth Cell sites
Highly Commended: The Big Bible Boo

 

Back to latest news

Site Directory