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COUNTDOWN TO HANTSWEB AWARD CEREMONY
It is not long now until the best websites from across the county scoop the prestigious Hantsweb Awards 2005.
The winners of the awards, which recognise website excellence in Hampshire, will be announced at a special ceremony at the Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium in Southampton on Tuesday 7 March.
Guest of honour Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Mrs Mary Fagan, will officially open the ceremony and this year the host will be TV presenter Philippa Forrester.
Now in its fourth year, the Hantsweb Awards continue to attract increasing numbers of entries. This year the county-wide competition received over 740 nominations for the 12 award categories that range from Most Accessible Website to Best School Website. These have been whittled down to a short-list of just 36 finalists, three in each category, by a panel of expert judges.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: "I wish to congratulate all of the organisations who have been short-listed for this final stage.
"The Hantsweb Awards grow more popular each year and with more nominations and a very high standard of entries, judging has proved to be very challenging.
"Winning a Hantsweb Award is a great opportunity for any small or large business or local group to raise their profile and highlight their online presence, and I wish all the finalists the best of luck for this year."
This year's awards ceremony will also see the announcement of a special prize from sponsors Microsoft, who will donate £10,000 worth of software, services and 12 months' top-notch IT consultancy to the entrant they believe has the greatest potential to grow and expand through enhancing their technology.
For more information about Hantsweb Awards 2005: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebawards
Photo opportunity
You are welcome to send a photographer/reporter to attend the awards ceremony at the Matthew Le Tissier Suite, St. Mary's Stadium, Southampton on Tuesday 7 March. Please contact Mary Stone to arrange on 01962 847367 or mary.stone@hants.gov.uk
Photo: Attached is the logo for Hantsweb Awards 2005.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
The Hantsweb Awards are organised by Hampshire County Council with sponsorship from: Microsoft, Cisco Systems, ESRI (UK), Symantec, Synetrix, Claranet, Citrix Systems, SAP, 2nd Chance, Anite, EMC, IBM, Norsk Data, SEEDA, Wyse Technology (UK), South Hampshire Enterprise Agency and Unisys, with prizes sponsored by Dell, Hampshire Fare, Macmillan Education Publishing, MRSK, Progenit, and Start Fareham.
The total sponsorship for prizes is almost £50,000.
Hantsweb Awards 2005 short-listed finalists (by category):
Most Accessible Website
www.iwight.com
www.twyford-organ.com
www.winchestercab.org.uk
Best Public Internet Access Point
www.eastpointcybercafe.co.uk
www.hants.gov.uk/testvalleyfoyer
www.phunkmedia.co.uk
Best Interactive Website
www.ourproperty.co.uk
www.petrolprices.com
www.thirdagecentre.co.uk
Best School Website
www.court-moor.hants.sch.uk
www.mayhill.hants.sch.uk
www.testwood.hants.sch.uk
Best Public Service Website
www.basingstoke.gov.uk
www.portsmouth.gov.uk
www.testvalley.gov.uk
Best Community or Voluntary Organisation Website
www.connexions-southcentral.org
www.iwight.com
www.leukaemiabusters.org.uk
Best Town or Parish Council Website
www.freshwater-parish.org.uk
www.marchwoodparishcouncil.org.uk
www.wickham.parish.hants.gov.uk
Best Small Business Website
www.adriangarside.co.uk
www.armorica.co.uk
www.bonneroute.co.uk
Best Rural Enterprise Website
www.horsevet.co.uk
www.rothervalleyorganics.com
www.sunnyfields.co.uk
Best Special Interest Website
www.hago.org.uk
www.twyford-organ.com
www.visitandlearn.co.uk
Best Recreation & Tourism Website
www.ddaymuseum.co.uk
www.gosportboroughfc.co.uk
www.hants.org.uk/raag
Best Young People's Website
www.hantsyfc.org
www.ilikemusic.com
www.southscene.net
For further information please contact: Mary Stone on 01962 847367
mary.stone@hants.gov.uk
24/02/2006