Blog Preston is fast approaching its third birthday, but before we blow out the candles on the cake we’ve got a Christmas to get through.
We’d like to take a moment to thank you all for reading in 2011 in what has been an incredible year for Blog Preston.
Since starting in 2009 we had no idea on the journey we’d take, and we would like to thank you all for taking the time to read, comment and share our stories.
This year over 60,000 people have logged onto the site for news, information, views and photos about our great city – and we hope next year even more choose to do so.
2012 will be a special year for Preston and we plan to be there every step of the way as the Guild kicks into full swing. We think it’s important the city has a chance to show the world what it is about, and forget the Olympics, we can’t wait for all the amazing events which will take place throughout the year.
We’ve had a heck of a year covering all manner of stories, and winning some awards along the way. In April the site was voted as the best hyperlocal site in the country, hyperlocal is effectively a community news site for those who aren’t in the media buzzword know.
We were also part of a successful bid to fund community reporting in Deepdale, St Matthews and Ribbleton – where we partnered with Preston FM amongst others to help train people how to get involved in their area and report on what is happening.
Our highlights from this year have featured a video of an angry man refusing to let a passenger off a train at Preston – which went viral and even got a mention on the Chris Moyles breakfast show.
The Leyland fire this week has also seen us as the go to place for breaking news about big events in the area, with our coverage being picked up on by Sky News and your incredible photos and videos of the flames really making it stand apart.
We’ve started covering Guild announcements, with the Preston Guild Wheel and its map of the cycle route proving very popular.
Frankie Cocozza caused a mini outrage storm, the public sector strikes were filmed, snapped and covered and the Avenham Park mural got you all talking.
The Preston Social got people discussing social media across the city, and Preston council got into a tangle with their social media book.
Above all, we’ve done our best to bring you what’s happening in the city and give you a chance to have your say on what’s happening with the powers that be and what you think about the city.
We’d like to thank all those who have contributed their thoughts in guests posts on everything from top nights out to the finer points of the area’s new local development plan for new housing.
To all the photographers who snap away on the streets of Preston and provide endless photos which never fail to make us pause and reflect on just what a top place Preston is.
And to all those who have commented, given us feedback and even those who have parted with some hard earned cash to advertise.
We hope everyone has an absolutely brilliant Christmas, a celebratory New Year and we hope you’ll stick with us in 2012.
Normal service will be resumed on the blog early in the New Year. Until then, Merry Christmas!
Image credit to Tony Worrall