North East Blogging Awards

Finally North East bloggers are getting the recognition they deserve! The inaugural North East Blogging Awards took place on Wednesday night at Lane 7, cool hangout/bowling alley which has a surprisingly good event space. The brainchild of Newcastle PR Firm OPR Managing Director Kari Owers, the event celebrated bloggers across a range of categories and was a great opportunity for networking.

There were eleven categories (food, sports, beauty, lifestyle, parenting, business, style, travel, student, best newcomer and overall Blogger of the Year) with three bloggers nominated in each category. Metro Radio's Dan Black hosted the event, with the awards being announced by representatives from category sponsors (Dr Martens, Primula, Tommee Tippee and Northumbria University to name a few) following short video clips by the bloggers themselves. 

 

The venue looked fab, with giant letters spelling out "blog" accompanied by a giant hashtag, as well as Oscar figures gracing the stage. Upon arrival bloggers and friends were greeted with drinks supplied by The Lakes Distillery and Fentimans (alcohol and mixers respectively). Bloggers got the chance to catch up with each other as well as trying to get a few strikes in the bowling lanes. The food provided by Lane 7 was fantastic, with mounds of pulled pork etc.

 

Awards were hotly contested and apparently the judges had a tough time making their decisions - here are the winners and links below:

Best Food Blog - www.scranonthetyne.com

Best Style Blog - www.chicest.co.uk

Best Parenting Blog - www.mumsdays.com

Best Travel Blog - www.lifeingeordieland.com

Best Lifestyle Blog - www.hello-freckles.com

Best Sports Blog - www.alydixon.com

Best Business Blog - www.tsg.com/blog

Best Beauty Blog - www.beautysauce.com

Best New Blog - www.katiesblondeambition.com

Best Student Blog - www.hollyoliviacreates.blogspot.co.uk

NE Blogger of the Year - www.northeastfamilyfun.co.uk

The overall winner was northeastfamilyfun.co.uk, which the judges praised for its great work in helping other bloggers and it's use of social media.

Samantha Rickleton of North East Family Fun accepting her award

 

After the winners were announced, DJ Lauren Archer span some tunes (a very happy lady after winning Best Food Blog) before everyone moved to the after party at new Quayside cocktail bar Tiger Hornsby. You know it's not a good blogging event unless there's a goody bag, and it certainly didn't disappoint (Dr Marten's bag, plenty of beauty samples, even a tube of Primula cheese)!

Lauren Archer accepting her award for Best Food Blog

 

Check out these blogs and get inspired if you're thinking of starting your own blog, and you never know, you could be accepting the award next year! Hopefully I will be nominated!