Double victory for Thanet at Kent Press and Broadcast Awards

KPBA winners and highly commended finalists Photo Tim Stubbings

Thanet scooped a double victory at this year’s Kent Press and Broadcast Awards.

The event, organised by PR company Maxim and hosted at the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury, is an awards scheme for the county’s media.

It featured 14 categories judged by an independent panel of editorial experts.

Photo Tim Stubbings

The Isle of Thanet News editor/journalist Kathy Bailes won the Kent Digital Journalist of the Year 2017 award with judges commenting on the quality of the stories and the close community links.

The award was sponsored by Arriva.

Host Gavin Esler Photo Tim Stubbings

Kathy said: “I am delighted to win this award, especially as The Isle of Thanet News was only launched in March. It shows that there is value to truly local news and that being involved with, and part of, the community you write for is invaluable.

“It has been made possible by all the brilliant readers who have shown great support, advertisers who have taken a risk and shown faith in a new business and our wonderful columnists.

“Maxim did a great job and Gavin Esler was an entertaining host.”

Photo Tim Stubbings

Another triumph at Friday’s awards was for Isle which took Kent magazine of the year.

Judges praised Isle, run by Kiki Case and Simon Abra, for its breadth of articles and beautiful design. The award was sponsored by Digitom.

Kiki said: “Simon and I were chuffed to pieces to win the award. Having highlighted the many award-winning Thanet businesses in Isle Magazine, it was lovely to be award winners ourselves. We both feel very lucky to call Thanet home, and we hope the magazine reflects our love of the area.”

Find out more about the awards here