Central Communications Board12 May 14

Church of Ireland Communications Competition 2014 Results

The winners of the Central Communications Board 2014 Communications Competition for the best newsletters/magazines, websites and innovative use of social media by parishes, dioceses and church organisations were announced on Saturday 10 May, by the the Rt Revd Trevor Williams, Bishop of Limerick and Chairman of the Central Communications Board, and presented by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, at the General Synod held in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin (pictured right).

The competition was run by the Church of Ireland Press Office but externally and professionally judged. This year, the prizes in the Websites and Social Media categories were very generously sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance.

There was praise to all the entrants for their efforts in communicating within their own contexts in each category, with convincing evidence of communication work of a high standard across the island. Constructive feedback is available for all entrants – please get in touch with the Church of Ireland’s Press Officer, Paul Harron.

Print publications

In the Parish magazines/newsletters category, there were many entries in various different formats: some were straightforward monthlies, modestly produced, while others were produced quarterly and very professionally designed and produced.

• Winner: Spotlight – the magazine of St Patrick’s Church, Jordanstown

The judges said: ‘This is a highly credible publication which immediately stood out for its strong and consistent design, comprehensive content and thoughtful touches, such as the ‘pull out and keep’ calendar. The team responsible deserve praise and Spotlight sets a high standard for other magazines in the Church of Ireland.’ (Photo: His Honour Judge RF Rodgers collects the award)

• Joint Runner Up: The Obelisk – A Killiney Newsletter (Holy Trinity Killiney)

The judges said: ‘Clean design and presentation, full and easily accessed contact information, plenty of diary information about future services and events, updates on parish and community activities. A credible magazine to be distributed beyond the parish family.’ (Photo: The Revd Niall Sloane collects the award)

• Joint Runner Up: Rossory News

The judges praised Rossory News especially for its good use of photographs and good contacts list accompanied by useful explanations of each organisation and activity. (Photo: The Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell, collects the award on behalf of the parish)

In the Diocesan magazines category –

• Winner: Derry & Raphoe Dioceses’ N:Vision

The judges said: ‘Derry & Raphoe’s N:Vision is an outstanding magazine in terms of design, identity and content – a highly credible publication.’ (Photo: the Revd Katie McAteer accepts the award)

• Runner Up: The Clogher Diocesan Magazine

The redesigned magazine was praised for ‘being full of information providing a really good overview of life in the diocese’. (Photo: Glenn Moore accepts the award)

• Highly Commended – Connor Connections

Connor Connections is noted for its ‘especially strong story content’.

• Highly Commended – Tidings – Tuam, Killala and Achonry

The magazine has shown impressive improvement and ‘stands out for its superb front page imagery’. (Photo: Dean Alistair Grimason accepts the award)

In the ‘Other’ organizations Printed Publications category –

• Winner: In Touch with Connor Diocese Mothers’ Union

This magazine sustains its strong position, winning for another year in a row. The judges liked its ‘good newsy content strong use of colour and photographs’.

(Photo: The Revd Clifford Skillen accepts the award on behalf of the In Touch with Connor Diocese Mothers’ Union editor, his wife Mrs Alison Skillen)

Websites and Social Media – this year generously sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance

In the Websites category the external judges looked for innovation, freshness, quality of design and layout and outreach potential.

In the Parish websites category –

• Winner: Carrigaline Union of Parishes

This website impressed for ‘its clear layout and the information it provided and in its balance of text and image’. (Photo: The Revd Elaine Murray accepts the award)

• Runner Up: St Matthias Parish, Ballybrack, Dublin

This parish website’s simplicity and clarity was praised as was the ease of navigation around it. (Photo: Maria Waters and Revd William Olhausen accept the award)

In the Diocesan websites category –

• Winner: Down & Dromore

The Down & Dromore diocesan website has ‘a good clear layout and design, is easy to navigate and has a good balance of image and text. It scores particularly well on its outreach potential with the clarity of information making it a very effective communication tool’. (Photo: Annette McGrath, Down & Dromore DCO, accepts the award)

• Runner Up: Dublin & Glendalough

This site was considered to be ‘very informative with a good balance of images and text with strong coverage of news and events’. (Photo: Lynn Glanville, Dublin & Glendalough DCO, accepts the award)

• Highly Commended: Derry & Raphoe Youth

This site has been praised for its ‘Being bright and bold!’ (Photo: Martin Montgomery accepts the award)

In the ‘Other’ affiliated organizations websites category –

• Winner: The Dock Café
This was judged to be ‘clear, attractive and easy to navigate. It communicates a message of life and what it is about more than simply imparting information.’

• Runner Up: The Book Well
‘Simplicity of presentation which is fresh and does what it says – sells books but does so with personality and warmth!’

Social media

Here, the competition was looking to see how churches, church organizations and members engaged with innovative developments in social networking and this year included a new prize for the most innovative social media development by a parish:

‘This shows a strong following with regular engagement with posts. Great use of photographs and very pro–active in promoting regular events and activities.’ (Photo: Revd James Mulhall accepts the award from Archbishop Richard Clarke and Scott Hayes, Ecclesiastical Insurance)

This parish’s communications activity via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Vimeo is ‘a very good example of social media being managed well, with varied and regular updates and engagement’. (Photo: Archdeacon David McClay, Rector of Willowfield Parish accepts the award)

Runner up: The Book Well Facebook
‘Good engagement with posts and regular and relevant postings. Friendly and informative.’