Nottinghamshire Live’s Joseph Locker Wins Cathryn Nicoll Award

Nottinghamshire Live reporter Joseph Locker has won the Cathryn Nicoll Award which was set up by the News Media Association to reward brilliant interviewing and feature writing by young regional press journalists.

Joseph scooped the award for his interview with Ken Clarke which the judges said provided “genuine new insight” into the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the former MP’s exit from the Conservative Party at the height of the Brexit debate.

The award was announced as part of the Society of Editors Regional Press Awards today which saw the best of regional press journalism highlighted during an online ceremony. 

Daily Newspaper of the Year (above 400,000 monthly reach) was won by The Yorkshire Post while the Western Mail take home the prize for Daily Newspaper of the Year (below 400,000 monthly reach).  

Paid for Weekly/Sunday Newspaper of the Year (above 50,000 monthly reach) was won by the Bucks Free Press and the Farnham Herald won Paid for Weekly/Sunday Newspaper of the Year (below 50,000 monthly reach). Website of the Year award went to HullLive, Hull Daily Mail.

Running as part of the of the Regional Press Awards, the Cathryn Nicoll Award pays tribute to journalist Cathryn Nicoll who held the position of news editor at the Croydon Advertiser and made provision in her will for an annual award for young journalists to be set up by the NMA.

Cathryn, who was married to former Bletchley Park codebreaker and GCHQ deputy director Douglas Nicoll, died in 2016. 

Joseph, who wins the award prize of £500, said: “I feel honoured to have been presented with this award during a ceremony which highlights the importance and very best of regional news.

 “A huge thank you to the judges for their comments, and to the team at the Nottingham Post/Nottinghamshire Live for putting their confidence in me and supporting me with my entry.”

The judges said: “Based on an authoritative and well-researched interview with one of the most senior figures in British politics, Joseph’s article provides genuine new insight into the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Ken Clarke’s exit from the Conservative Party at the height of the Brexit debate.

“Joseph’s persistence in securing the interview and skill in both writing and interviewing make him a worthy winner of this year’s Cathryn Nicoll Award.”