The dust has now settled on the Wales Blog Awards 2011. Congratulations again to the winners, a full list can be found here.

We’re now working on getting through all your feedback and looking ahead to next year, which we hope will be even more successful.

In the meantime, we’ve had requests to publicise the judges’ comments on the winning blogs. We hope you’ll find the comments useful. And if you’re hoping your blog will be shortlisted next year, our judging criteria is here.

Best Blog

ffwtbol.co.uk

Carol Jones from award sponsor Chapter Arts Centre said, “This blog was a bit of a revelation really. As anyone who knows me will tell you I’m not a very sporty person and the ball is definitely the wrong shape in football. But I kept finding myself drawn back to this blog and just got engrossed in everything from EPPP (I know now what that stands for) to the price of a ticket to watch Bangor and why Cardiff doesn’t deserve Dave Jones.”

*Note from Wales Blog Awards – EPPP stands for Elite Player Performance Plan – we didn’t know either!

Best Community Blog

http://rhuthun.blogspot.com/

Award sponsor Talk About Local said, “What we love about http://rhuthun.blogspot.com/ is the author’s dedication to highlighting Ruthun as a thriving, independent market town, the way they look to draw attention to and preserve its individuality and chart the impact of new developments upon this. As a regularly maintained blog since 2005, its consistency is particularly impressive, as is the lively local discussion the blog facilitates.”

Runner up – http://wearecardiff.wordpress.com/

Best Food and Drink Blog

http://cardiffbites.blogspot.com/

Award sponsor The Potted Pig said, “We felt it delivers exactly what you want from a blog, is up to date, very well informed on new openings and very well known amongst the world of twitter and social media. We found Cardiff Bites very interesting and well reported.”

Runner up – http://whatkatebaked.blogspot.com/

Best Lifestyle Blog

http://wherearemyknees.blogspot.com/

Award sponsor Wales Millennium Centre said, “We found this blog to be amusing and witty but also very honest. We also felt it was a helpful blog to those that are going through those experiences, as people can relate to the group. We also thought it was really helpful with the healthy cooking tips etc. We like the fact it was a group blog which also included guest blogs.”

Runner up – http://thechicandcheerful.blogspot.com/

Best Music and Entertainment Blog

http://moviewaffle.com/

Award sponsor The Riverfront said, “A highly entertaining and well-written blog, Interesting to read for movie buffs, and those not so well versed in the land of cinema alike. It is poignant and personal without being self-indulgent. We hope Movie Waffle will come and soak-up some of the films we programme at The Riverfront.”

Runner up – http://catonthewall.net

Best Photo Blog

http://cardiffarcades.wordpress.com/

Award sponsor Rob Norman, Media Wales picture editor, said, “Her pictures show a great deal of creativity and a style that you soon come to recognize as Amy. Her subject is difficult insomuch as it would be very easy to become complacent and formulaic. Amy has avoided these pitfalls and every entry is filled with her simple but beautiful pictures.”

Runner up – http://circusclouds.blogspot.com/

Best Political Blog

http://carmarthenplanning.blogspot.com/

Award sponsor S & L Associates said, “All blogs have displayed dedication to their causes, ensuring the public are made aware of the issues through the blogging medium. However, one stands out in its focus and tenacity in challenging the powers that be. The blog in question has been recognised in the national press, and the blogger’s dedication is such that their actions in pursuing the cause have resulted in their own freedom being denied. Therefore, the winner of the best political blog is Jacqui Thomson – Carmarthenshire Planning.”

Runner up – (joint) http://caredig.blogspot.com/ and http://www.radicalwales.org/

Best Sports Blog

www.ffwtbol.com/

Award sponsor Sporting Wales said, “There were some very good blogs in the sports category and the development of pictures and video was particularly strong in some of the others shortlisted. However when it came to writing, Ffwtbol was the clear winner. It was not just that it was well written, personal and engaging, clearly written with great enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the game and its history. There were also some different stories, the sort of features which could easily appear on the inside pages of our newspapers – in fact arguably should do so more often. It was that willingness to look away from the obvious which was the clincher against the multi-media talent on display elsewhere.”

Runner up – cardiffskateboardclub.com

Best Technology Blog

thisismyjoystick.com

Award sponsor Rant Media said, “Thisismyjoystick.com portrays a great interest and enthusiasm for the chosen subject. The site is well written and visually exciting.”

Runner up – http://techbeast.net/

Best Welsh Language Blog

http://henrechflin.blogspot.com/

Award sponsor Melys Media said, “The blogs shortlisted in the Welsh language category were quite different, one a Welsh window on life in Japan the other a self
professed “old farts” view on all things Welsh, “Hen Rhech Flin’s” blog reacts to happenings in modern Welsh life, and does attract comment, the writing is simple and direct and talks to its audience, but it is also a moving blog with
content appearing regularly drawing the reader back for repeat visits,
and what is said may well make you want to return for more.”

Runner up – http://siondafydd.wordpress.com/

Best Writing on a Blog

http://isawelvisinthewoods.blogspot.com/

Award sponsor Leaf Books said, “They won because of the originality of content, and because they were the most engaging with their reader. The writing grabbed us from the get go with a great sense of humour, while keeping topical and displaying an excellent use of language.”

Runner up – http://www.mikejenkins.net/

S & L Associates were the sponsor of the Best Political Category of this years Wales Blog Awards.

S&L Associates are a management consultancy team, specialising in bid writing, contract management and project management for the public, private and 3rd sectors.

S&L Associates & partners represent over 90 years of procurement, tender and management experience. We therefore offer a variety of services to ensure your competitive edge is maintained. From project & contract management specialists through to tender writing services and training, S&L Associates can improve your effectiveness and commercial focus and ultimately improve your bottom line.

Website (launching soon) www.slassociates.co.uk

The Potted Pig restaurant is the sponsor of the Best Food/Drink category.

The Potted Pig restaurant is located in central Cardiff on High Street within 100m of both Cardiff castle and the famous Millennium Stadium.

Opened in 2011 The Potted Pig has made its home in a former bank vault underneath the city. We serve a varied and constantly changing menu of modern British food with a few French and New-York grill inspired influences. The menus are based on food we love cooking and eating rather than a single concept. At The Potted Pig we make every effort to keep our menus seasonal, which means using as many locally sourced products from independent and local suppliers as possible.

Our wine and drinks menu has been carefully selected to match our menus and we carry an excellent range of independently sourced wines as well as a fantastic array of bottled lagers, ales and ciders. Don’t forget also to check out our extensive spirit range including an unrivalled choice of bespoke gin.

http://www.thepottedpig.com/