National Recognition for thisisUll.com - Fringe Report Awards 2009 (2/2) By Cilla Photographs by Carl Schofield (www.tritium.co.uk) and Mo.

(1/2), (2/2).

Photographs Gallery.

There were 25 awards in all. I was delighted to see Kate Copstick receive the award for Best Reviewer and both pleased and surprised when Abi Titmuss took to the stage to receive Best West End Debut (Two-Way Mirror) from 2007. The Best Encouragers of Talent award went to Ten in a Bed Theatre. I'd met Mike Shephard, one of the six who make up the company back in November and spoke to him afterwards. He, like me, had been shocked and excited that he'd had his work with new writers acknowledged.

After the awards had been presented, there was wine and food and a chance to mingle a bit and show off our certificate! Surprisingly enough, we were not the only contingent hailing from Hull at the event. Richard Dragun, who designed the award certificate was one. Now a graphic designer, Richard was born and grew up in Hull.

I also met Paul Woodmansey and Paul Drury, both ex-hull lads who work for PR company, Ideas Generation in London. They were all really chuffed to see Hull included in the awards. Thank you so much, John Park and Fringe Report. It was a really enjoyable do, well organised and a brilliant atmosphere. We left with a lovely warm glow, a feeling of achievement and pride as we headed back in the pouring rain to our hotel for the night.

It's great to be recognised in whatever capacity, and after almost 6 years, I feel that at last we're getting somewhere. thisisUll.com is certainly helping to raise the profile of our city. Today London; tomorrow the world! The complete roll of honour for this year's Fringe Report Awards is:

Best Political Comedy: The Moustache Brothers Best Publication: ThisisUll (www.thisisull.com) Best Musical Impresario: Gus Robertson Best Artistic Director: Neil McPherson (Finborough) Best Festival Director: Steven Gove (founder and director of Prague Fringe) Best Press Officer: Kim Wiesener Best Character Comedy: Graham Fellows Best Play: Howard & Mimi - All Involved Best Radio Drama Producer: Mariele Runacre Temple (www.wirelesstheatrecompany.co.uk) Best Musical: The Bird - All Involved Best Production: Yard Gal - All Involved (at Oval House Theatre, 2008) Best Venue Publicist: Matt Beer Best Feature: Awaydays - All Involved (2008, directed by Pat Holden) Best Artist: Jake Spicer (for The House With No Door) Best Venue Manager: Jasmine Cullingford (Blue Elephant) Best Comedy Film: Enter The Preacher - All Involved (2008 short, directed by Paulette James) Best Reviewer: Kate Copstick Best Actor: Toni Servillo (Giulio Andreotti in film Il Divo) Best Storyteller: Kate Corkery Best Fringe Auteur: Jackie Skarvellis Best Encouragers of Talent: Ten in a Bed Theatre Best Curator: Kate Burnett (for Collaborators - UK Design For Performance 2003-2007, in 2008) Best Performance: Chloe Fontaine (for Mrs Arbuthnot in A Woman of no Importance) Best Romantic Documentary: Slepe Lasky (Blind Loves, 2008) Best Arts Organisers: Adrian Jones & Amanda Moss (Corsica Studios)

The citation on the certificate reads: The award celebrates the excellence of Hull's landmark international websiteThisIsUll.com, achieved by the hard work and dedication of publisher and editor Cilla Wykes, and her colleagues. ThisIsUll.com has become the worldwide emotional centre for everyone who thinks of Hull as home, a magnificent realisation of Marshall McLuhan's vision of the global village.

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