AFTER Islanders cast almost 31,000 votes for 186 nominees across 14 categories, judging panels have met to determine the winners of the 2024 Pride of Jersey Awards.
Judging took place at the Grand Hotel yesterday, with panels made up of sponsors’ representatives, previous winners and staff from All Island Media, parent company of the JEP and Bailiwick Express.
The ninth edition of Pride of Jersey, which was first staged in 2015, has been one of the largest, with a total of 30,897 votes cast prior to the polls closing at the end of September and a shortlist of three being drawn up in each category (with the exception of Grandparent of the Year and Mental Health Champion of the Year where a tie resulted in shortlists of four).
Before the judging panels embarked on their discussions, JEP editor Andy Sibcy paid tribute to the calibre of entry.
“We have some very worthy finalists whose stories are as inspirational as they are humbling,” he said. “The quality of those in contention and the amount of interest surrounding ‘Pride’ shows how turnout in this Island can be improved when we are inspired by the people on the ballot paper.”
Winners of the 14 awards covered by public voting, plus the Gary Burgess award for an individual who has supported the community through positive words or actions, will be announced at next week’s Pride of Jersey ceremony.
The event takes place at Albert Bartlett’s headquarters on Trinity Hill on Thursday 24 October, and will be hosted by former JEP deputy editor Carl Walker, who helped to create the Pride of Jersey Awards nine years ago.
Mr Walker will be joined by Jersey-born soprano Georgi Mottram, who will be making a welcome return to co-host the ceremony.
