Cumbria Life named Society of Editors Magazine of the Year

Cumbria Life has been named the Society of Editors Magazine of the Year at the Regional Press Awards 2020.

The event is the Oscars of the journalism calendar.

Today from a field of almost 700 entries, the winners and highly commended were announced in a special online event.

Vanessa Sims, regional group editor of Newsquest Cumbria, said: "Winning Magazine of the Year shows our team's dedication and love for Cumbria Life.

“Cumbria Life is a true passion for every member of the team in both commercial and editorial. Associate editor Sarah French has implemented some subtle changes to rave reviews from readers. So, achieving industry recognition is fantastic."

Commenting on Cumbria Life, award judges said: "Top marks for this slick and content-packed publication.

"Front covers offer value and genuine reads, with strong columnists inside. It uses bold photography and appealing page craft to keep eyes engaged."

As well as Magazine of the Year, Newquest Cumbria won the Paid for weekly/Sunday Newspaper of the Year Below 50,000 Monthly Reach for The Hexham Courant and our talented Carlisle United reporter Jon Colman won Weekly Sports Reporter of the Year for his work in The Cumberland News.

Vanessa said: “Jon Colman our fantastic Carlisle United reporter wins award after award all because of his undying love for his club.

"He has developed a strong following and his unrelenting quest to leave no stone unturned means he continues to be one of the best sports reporters in the north. This award is really well deserved."

The awards were supported by Facebook Journalism Project, Camelot, Google News Initiative, Amazon, HoldTheFrontPage. the Journalists’ Charity and the News Media Association and recognise excellence throughout the regional and local press during the unprecedented times posed by COVID-19.