Theydon Bois Village News has retained its title as the ‘Best Community Magazine’ in Essex. It beat off competition from no less than 61 other magazines to win the top prize in the latest Essex Life Community Magazine Awards, organised by Rural Community Council of Essex (RCCE).
The annual competition is designed exclusively for magazines that are edited and run entirely by volunteers.
The Theydon Bois magazine, produced by the local Parish Council, is a full colour publication running to over 40 pages per issue packed full of community news and information. It saw off strong competition notably from the second and third prize winners, Writtle News and Interface – the magazine of Felsted, Flitch Green and Little Dunmow. There was also a special award for ‘Window on Silver End’ as the best new entrant. The winners received their awards at a reception held at Barleylands Farm Park and Craft Village, Billericay on 25th January.
Paying tribute not only to the winners but to all who participated in the competition, Nick Shuttleworth, Director of RCCE said:
“This competition demonstrates that even in the age of the internet, local community magazines have never been stronger or more in demand. To judge from the entries received this year, these magazines and the people who produce them are doing more than ever to keep local people informed and aware of what’s happening in their area. They perform a vital role which is particularly valued by more isolated members of the community.”
In organising the annual competition, RCCE is supported by Essex Life magazine and by the Diocese of Chelmsford and Newport News, which is itself a local, community magazine produced for the village of Newport, near Saffron Walden.
