Through my role at The Sentinel I organise, write the scripts for, and often compere a number of major public events, including:
Our Heroes
Created in conjunction with Britannia, the gala celebrity awards dinner for this community awards campaign is the highlight of the North Staffordshire social calendar. During its first six years Britannia gave away £60,000 in prize money and The Sentinel published more than 600 heart-warming human interest stories involving children of courage, charity fund-raisers, school stars, heroes of the NHS, adult carers, community groups and emergency services and armed forces personnel. I am delighted to say the 2012 event will be sponsored by the Newcastle-based Aspire Housing group.
Yours truly manages the event and is the co-host.
City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Awards
Now in its 38th year, I became involved in this annual event five years ago. Run in conjunction with Stoke-on-Trent City Council it aims to promote endeavour and talent in grass roots and amateur sport as well as recognising the achievements of the city’s professional sporting stars. This year’s gala celebration evening took place at the King’s Hall in Stoke on Tuesday, March 13, and our VIP guests included James Cracknell OBE, Dave Moorcroft OBE and Jonathan Edwards CBE.
Yours truly manages the event.
Class Act
Run in conjunction with Barclays, Class Act is now in its sixth year. To date Barclays has given away £60,000 in prize money to local schools and colleges which have come up with innovative ideas to enhance the learning environment or their local community. More than 200 schools and colleges from North Staffordshire and South Cheshire have so far featured in The Sentinel as part of the Class Act competition.
Yours truly comperes this event.
Stoke’s Top Talent
Run in conjunction with The Regent Theatre and championed by stage star (and my mate) Jonathan Wilkes, this annual variety competition offers all ages the chance to appear on stage at the city’s premier theatre and win £1,000 in prize money and a professional contract to appear in pantomime alongside our Jonny. To give you an idea just how popular Stoke’s Top Talent is, the reader vote on The Sentinel’s website generated 25,000 votes in 2010.
Yours truly is a judge for the auditions, heats and final of this event. The initial auditions for this year’s competition take place on Saturday, July 28 at the Victoria Hall in Hanley.
Young Journalist Awards
Now in its fourth year, the Young Journalist Awards is run in conjunction with Staffordshire University and offers the reporters and photographers of the future – from local schools and colleges – the chance to see their work appear in print and online.
Yours truly comperes the awards ceremony.
LearnMore Awards
Working with PR agency PlinkFizz, I write the scripts for and compere this annual awards ceremony which has been running for two years and is funded by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. It aims to highlight achievement through education.
Citizen of the Century Awards
Organised to celebrate the centenary of the Federation of the Six Towns of Stoke-on-Trent, this glittering awards ceremony was held at the King’s Hall in Stoke and recognised the achievements of some of the Potteries most famous sons and daughters – from football legend Sir Stanley Matthews to Spitfire designer Reginald Mitchell and pop superstar Robbie Williams.
Yours truly wrote the scripts and compered the show in front of 450 guests.
Sentinel Lecture
The inaugural Sentinel Lecture was held in 2011 at the newly-refurbished Mitchell Memorial Youth Arts Centre in Hanley and attracted almost 300 guests. Sentinel columnist and former elected Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent Mike Wolfe spoke on the subject of regeneration.
Yours truly organised the event. The 2012 speaker is yet to be announced…
Sentinel Business Awards
2013 will be my first year of involvement with The Sentinel’s Business Awards which will be held at the King’s Hall. Watch this space…
