WE ARE a local paper that roars! And don’t just take our word for it – that’s the verdict of a panel of experienced journalists from all over the country.

The Herald has been named the weekly newspaper of the year at the Regional Press Awards, organised by the Society of Editors.

The awards are the most prestigious in the regional newspaper industry.

The Farnham Herald received the prize in the category for paid-for weekly/Sunday newspapers below a 50,000 monthly reach.

We had highlighted the paper’s campaigning brief with Cut the Pollution in Farnham, Don’t Dump the Dump, fighting to retain the recycling centre, and Have A Heart for more defibrillators.

The judges were impressed by the campaigns and the broad content covered every week.

They said: “With a campaigning brief, the Farnham Herald is a superb example of a weekly title that roars. Tremendous local content and obvious coaction and respect for the communities it serves.”

Editor Colin Channon said: “We were absolutely delighted to win the award.

“It has been a hectic year – it was only 14 months ago that we switched the Herald to its compact size, and refocused our content to make it much more relevant to our local communities.

“We have been delighted with the reaction to the paper from readers – and getting this award from our peers was the icing on the cake.

“It’s a fitting reward for all the hard work that has been put into the paper from the whole Herald team – the outstanding editorial members, the advertising team, circulation and all the other people who work so hard behind the scenes to make the paper what it is.”

Councillor Pat Evans, the mayor of Farnham, said: “This is a tremendous achievement and I should like to pass on the congratulations of Farnham Town Council and the whole team, to the team of the Herald.

“This has not been an easy year for any organisation and the Farnham Herald has continued to play an important role in bringing the community together and sharing and celebrating the best of our community.

“It is fitting that the Farnham Herald, with its new format and increased following, is celebrated with this accolade in the regional press awards.”

Damian Hinds, the MP for East Hampshire, said: “Many congratulations to the Herald team on this fantastic, and well deserved, recognition.

“Local papers like the Herald are key community assets. The school photos, clubs and societies section, readers’ letters, local sport – what the Herald covers is unique, and important to our lives and our sense of togetherness.

“Even before Covid-19, times were already very challenging for our local papers because of the rise of the internet. But if anything, I think this lockdown will make us value them even more.

“And for businesses, the opportunity for targeted and informative adverts is a unique part of effective sales and marketing to underpin growth for East Hampshire firms.

“The Herald has a special place in local people’s hearts. We are lucky to have it and I hope everyone, individuals and businesses, will carry on supporting the brilliant, award-winning Herald.”

Jeremy Hunt, the MP for South West Surrey,. said: “Many congratulations to the Herald for being named weekly newspaper of the year. It is a richly deserved honour for all those who have been working hard to keep the paper going through the pandemic, despite a big loss of advertising revenue.

“The future for the newspaper industry still remains uncertain so if we want to keep our local paper, we need to support it.”