General Synod 2002: Magazine Competition winners

The President's Speech at the General Synod

CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House, 61 - 67 Donegall Street, Belfast BT 2QH
Tel Belfast: (028) 90 232 909
Press Officer Brian Parker (M): 07775 927 807

PRESS RELEASE

16 May 2002

CHURCH MAGAZINE COMPETITION WINNERS

The Church of Ireland Magazine Competition attracted entries from all over Ireland. The judges were Ms Noreen Erskine, BBC Religious Affairs; Mr Eamon Deeny, Director of Communications at the Department of Regional Development and Mr Rodney Miller, Chartered Designer and past chairman of the Chartered Society of Designers.

There were two categories - Diocesan and Parish.

The winner of the Diocesan section was 'Think Again News', the Down and Dromore magazine that is promoting the Diocesan five-year strategy for reconciliation, outreach and youth development.

Commenting on 'Think Again News' the judges recognised that the publication seemed to enjoy reasonable financial backing and commended the editor, Mrs Hilary McClay, for its 'human interest' content and the sense it gives of immediate, ongoing work. Its consistent use of colour and professional design is eye-catching with good use of 'white space'.

The Primate presenting prize to winner Ms Lesley Rue
The Primate presenting the 1st prize in the magazine competition to the winner Ms Lesley Rue

The winner of the Parish section was 'Christ Church Cathedral Magazine' edited by Mrs Lesley Rue. The Dublin magazine won praise for its use of colour and pictures and scored high marks for good structure and effective presentation of information.

The judges also gave Highly Commended awards to the following five parish magazines.

Taney News, Dublin
Mullabrack & Kilcluney Parish News, Markethill
St Columb's Cathedral, Derry
St Gall's Parish News, Carnalea
Agherton Parish News, Portstewart.

Mrs Janet Maxwell, Director of Communications, said the competition had been very worthwhile and she looked forward to even more entries next year.

In thanking the judges for their painstaking work Mrs Maxwell said: "There were many fine examples of good editing and design and plenty of imaginative ideas. However there is still work to do and later this year editors will have the opportunity of attending a practical workshop on editing skills and magazine production."

Prizes were presented to the winners today by Archbishop Robin Eames at the Church of Ireland General Synod in Dublin.

Previous winners of Church of Ireland Magazine competition:

2001

2000