PR 1540
AWARDS CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE WEBSITE WINNERS
The winners of the Hantsweb Awards 2004 will be announced at a special ceremony at INTECH, Hampshire's interactive science and discovery centre on Tuesday 9 November. The Awards recognise website excellence in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Guests of honour at the ceremony include the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire Mrs Mary Fagan, inventor Trevor Baylis, naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham and BBC Radio Solent presenter Judy Goodlet. The event will be hosted by BBC South's Freddie Rostand.
The competition attracted over 450 nominations for websites and public internet access points representing a diverse range of interests. These have been whittled down to a short-list of just 25 finalists by a panel of specialist judges.
Leader of the County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "Winning a Hantsweb Award is a great opportunity for businesses to increase their local profile and I would like to wish all finalists the best of luck in the Hantsweb Awards 2004, which this year has also included entries from the Isle of Wight.
"I would also like to pass my thanks to the judges and sponsors, whose commitment and generosity has played a huge part in the success of the awards."
Celebrity chef and local businessman, James Martin, who launched this year's competition in May, said: "The best websites are very much like some of the best dishes; quick, not too complicated, well-presented and satisfying - and these are some of the qualities the judges have been looking for."
Finalists include Coronet Turf, a specialist turfing company from Overton, whose work was featured on the Harry Potter film set; Ladies Who Lunch In Hampshire - four women who visit restaurants incognito then publish unbiased reviews - and The League of Venturers Search & Rescue, whose aims are to help people or animals in danger or distress.
There are eleven categories including Accessibility, Schools, Local Business and Rural Community. Category sponsors include Microsoft Ltd, SAP, the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), Synstar and The Works Unit.
Prizes include a top of the range Dell PC from Hampshire County Council's IT Services department, a Think Pad laptop from sponsors IBM, software from Microsoft Ltd and a laser printer from PC World. All category winners will receive a Hantsweb Awards 2004 trophy.
Other prize sponsors include the County Council's Recreation and Heritage department, Future Publishing Ltd and Start Fareham.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
You are welcome to send a photographer/reporter to attend the Awards Ceremony at INTECH, Winchester, on 9 November from 1.15pm (reception) or 2.00pm (ceremony starts). Please contact Lee Williams to arrange on 01962 847115 or lee.williams@hants.gov.uk.
Please see below for an overview of the finalists.
HANTSWEB AWARDS 2004 - SHORT-LISTED FINALISTS (by category in alphabetical order)
ACCESSIBILITY sponsored by Microsoft Ltd
Andover Methodist Circuit; www.andovermethodist.org
Westgate Support + Care, Winchester; www.westgatesc.org.uk
BEST ONLINE SERVICE sponsored by SAP
Chandlers Ford Online; www.chandlersfordonline.com
Hampshire List - Artisan Internet Ltd, New Milton; www.hampshire-list.co.uk
Ladies who lunch in Hampshire; www.ladieswholunch-in-hampshire.co.uk
BEST PUBLIC ACCESS POINT TO THE INTERNET sponsored by SEEDA
Centre for the Third Age, Southampton
Cyber Café, Eastpoint Centre, Thornhill, Southampton
Solent Skill Quest/Ford Partnership Centre, Swaythling, Southampton
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION
Andover Family Learning; www.andoverfamilylearning.co.uk
The League of Venturers Search & Rescue (Holbury); www.venturers-search-and -rescue.org.uk
LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS
Coronet Turf, Overton; www.coronet-turf.co.uk
Park Farm Organics, Heckfield nr Hartley Wintney; www.pfo-shop.co.uk
P B Asher Diesel Injection Engineers Ltd, Southampton; www.pbasher.co.uk
PUBLIC SECTOR sponsored by The Works Unit
Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council; www.basingstoke.gov.uk
Isle of Wight Council; www.iwight.com
RURAL COMMUNITY sponsored by SEEDA
Hampshire Farmers' Markets Ltd; www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk
Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants, Freefolk Priors nr Whitchurch; www.hardys-plants.co.uk
SCHOOLS sponsored by Synstar
Kings Copse Primary School, Hedge End; www.kingscopse.hants.sch.uk
Stockbridge County Primary School, Stockbridge; www.stockbridge.hants.sch.uk
SPECIAL INTEREST
Compassion in World Farming Trust, Petersfield; www.ciwf.org.uk
Playing Out Loud, Southampton; www.playingoutloud.co.uk
TOWN OR PARISH COUNCIL
Fawley Parish Council; www.fawley-hants.co.uk
Longparish Parish Council; www.longparish.org.uk
YOUTH
Ilikemusic.com Ltd, Southampton; www.ilikemusic.com
Websites & Networking Corporation, Horndean; www.handleyshop.com
For further information please contact: Lee Williams on 01962 847115
lee.williams@hants.gov.uk
20/10/2004