In Brief
SHOREHAM SINGER SONGWRITER WINS NATIONAL MUSIC AWARD
Rising young folk stars Josienne Clarke and guitarist Ben Walker have triumphed in the final of a nationwide competition staged by Bristol’s revived Folk Festival.
The much heralded duo have a distinct musical empathy, fusing Josienne’s captivating vocal and songwriting skills and Ben’s stand-out guitar playing. They beat off stiff competition from four other emerging acts on Friday night to scoop the Isambard Folk Award at Bristol’s Colston Hall. They won with a performance of the original title song from Shoreham singer songwriter Josienne’s debut album One Light is Gone. The duo will now perform on the main stage of the 2012 Bristol Folk Festival at Colston Hall over the May Bank Holiday and also at Easter Saturday’s Somerfest in Somerset.
JESSIE & BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
Sonya Pettigrew will be pushing her eight-year-old disabled son Alex for the full 26 miles of the Brighton Marathon. In his wheelchair Alex will add 40kg of extra weight. At his request they are running in costume as Jessie and Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story.
Sonya and Alex will be running for Amaze, an official local charity partner for the Brighton Marathon 2012. Amaze has over 60 runners. Like many of their runners, Sonya is an Amaze parent who received support and would now like to give something back.
Sonya says: “We feel extremely fortunate to have used the services of Amaze, which have literally changed our lives and Alex’s future for the better. We’re passionate about fundraising and championing this worthwhile cause. I ran the marathon for Amaze last year and Alex came to spur me on. When I mentioned running again, Alex was determined to come along for the ride! He is so excited. I think it will be an amazing experience pushing him in the race and he will get me through he always does. I will only have to look at his lovely smiley face and feel better He is a huge inspiration to me, a real survivor and we are determined not to let his problems stop us living our lives to the max”.
Alex was born with congenital heart defects and has had several open heart surgeries to fix them; he will need further operations before adulthood. Amaze supports families with disabled children in Brighton and Hove like Sonya and Alex. Brighton Marathon 2012 takes place Sunday 15 April.
You can sponsor Sonya on www.justgiving.com/runningforalex2012
BRIGHTON AGENCY SHORTLISTED FOR CIPR EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2012
Multi award-winning B2B PR consultancy, Man Bites Dog, has been shortlisted in two categories of the CIPR Excellence Awards 2012.
Man Bites Dog has been nominated in the ‘Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy’ category, which recognises excellence and best practice in the PR profession.
In addition, Man Bites Dog is shortlisted in the ‘Corporate & Business Communications’ category for its Cost Boomerang campaign for KPMG.
Claire Mason, Founder and Managing Director of Man Bites Dog, said: “After winning a string of agency and campaign awards last year, we’re thrilled to be shortlisted for the prestigious CIPR awards alongside the cream of the UK’s communications industry.”
Jane Wilson, CEO of the CIPR, said: “To make the CIPR Excellence Awards shortlist is a statement of achievement for any individual or organisation. The sheer number of high quality entries received this year, especially when things are still pretty tough out there economically, is testament to a thriving industry. There really is no greater recognition of professionalism, creativity and hard work than to reach the final stages of the Excellence Awards.”
The winners of this year’s Excellence Awards will be announced at a black tie dinner at London’s Park Lane Hilton on 28 May 2012.
