Our Awards Won

The Downs Mail has not taken long to receive significant awards for its journalistic work.

The Downs Mail campaign for a pedestrian bridge over the A249 at Detling, after the death of Jade Hobbs (8) and her gran as they crossed to buy sweets, touched the heart of Maidstone. Within a few weeks the political will of KCC was changed and it agreed the bridge must be built. At the same time the Downs Mail ran a public appeal via a trust and more than £100,000 was raised towards construction, all contributions acknowledged in the newspaper.

Campaigning journalist of year
The successful campaign brought awards both for the newspaper and Editor Dennis Fowle. The campaign won the Kent Journalist of the Year Campaigning award - presented by brewers Shepherd Neame annually.

Beat the Criminal award
 The Downs Mail includes a ‘Beat the Criminal’ page in every issue, deeply read for details of local crime. The intelligence also brings good response to police and this was highlighted by Maidstone and Malling Neighbourhood Watch Association which presented its cup for outstanding achievement to the Downs Mail. This was the first time it was not presented to a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator.