The Garden Media Guild Journalism Awards 2010

The Garden Media Guild Awards celebrate the best in garden writing - including books, newspapers and magazines - photography, broadcasting - TV and radio - and new media - including gardening websites and gardening blogs. They are the garden media 'Oscars'.

 

Journalism Awards

 

News Story of the Year

Winner: Marc Rosenberg for Amateur Gardening busts chemical rogue trader in Amateur Gardening.

Judges' comments: This was a first-class example of investigative reporting, which revealed how potentially lethal chemicals are being sold online. The article explained to the readers the risks of buying these illegal products and usefully suggested products, which can be safely used to fumigate glasshouses to get rid of pests and fungal infections. The magazine published two further follow-up stories in subsequent issues and as a result the Health and Safety Executive ordered eBay to withdraw the illegal auction from its website. The HSE also made it clear it was an offence to sell illegal chemicals, which could lead to prosecution.

Finalists:

Matthew Appleby for Monty Don says National Trust 'foolish' to neglect flagship Westminster allotment on HortWeek.com.

Veronica Peerless for Are tea bags compostable? and £1.09 carrots! in Which? Gardening.

Jean Stowe for Ghost orchid seen after 23 years in The Orchid Review.

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Trade Journalist of the Year

Winner: Gavin McEwan for articles in Horticulture Week.

Judges' comments: Gavin McEwan produced three distinctive and culturally diverse topics. Each of them were written in a balanced and informative way – teeing up issues and questions for the reader and then answering them.

Finalists:

Matthew Appleby for articles in Garden Retail and Horticulture Week.

Rob Cassy for articles in Garden Design Journal.

Maureen Keepin for articles in Horticulture Week.

Emma Reuss for articles in Garden Design Journal.

 

 

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Practical Journalist of the Year

Winner: Joe Maiden for articles in Kitchen Garden.

Judges' comments: Joe’s articles were full of sound practical advice. They were easy to understand and encouraging for both the beginner and experienced gardener. We could see the magazines opened up at Joe's column propped up on the potting shed bench, guiding folk fluently through the processes and not ending up on a coffee table in the drawing room.

Finalists:

Alys Fowler for articles in Gardens Illustrated.

Helen Riches for articles in Gardeners' World Magazine.

Andrew Tokely for articles in Kitchen Garden.

Matthew Wilson for articles in Gardeners' World Magazine.

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Journalist of the Year

Winner: Victoria Summerley for articles in The Independent.

Judges' comments: Victoria Summerley wins for all the right reasons. Her style is imaginative, clear, thoughtful, composed, rounded, energetic, humble and human, while her content is well-researched and original, and her personality comes through strongly in her writing.

Finalists:

James Alexander-Sinclair for articles in Gardens Illustrated.

Graham Gough for articles in Gardens Illustrated.

Anna Pavord for articles in Gardens Illustrated.

John Walker for articles in Kitchen Garden.

 

 

 

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