Awards for excellence in journalism.

The cash awards, which take the name of former Royal Gazette chairman Cmdr.

Guy Ridgway, cover stories reported in 1993.

The winner in the news category was Royal Gazette reporter Mr. Paul Egan, for his story on the rescue of young Chantia Swann, who nearly drowned in an indoor pool.

Runner-up was Royal Gazette reporter Miss Marina Esplin-Jones for her coverage of the Larry Ebbin drugs trial.

In the category for features, Ms Patricia Calnan, who writes The Royal Gazette's Living Section, won for her profile of arts activist Ms Patricia Pogson. Second place went to Mr. Lorin Smith, who won for his RG Magazine story about the closing of the Bermuda Technical Institute.

The top photography award went to Mr. David Skinner for his shot of a man with a look of despair after his boat was badly damaged by a water spout.

Mr. Tamell Simons won for his shot of a woman writhing in agony on a hospital bed. The photo accompanied an RG Magazine story about the Emergency Ward at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The awards were judged by former Mid-Ocean News editors Mr. Gavin Shorto, who now works as director of Government Information Services, and Ms Amanda Outerbridge, who is director of the Bermuda National Trust.

The awards, which were presented by the Hon. John Barritt, a director of The Royal Gazette , presented first place winners with $500 and second place winners with $250 each.

TOP NOTCH -- Winners of The Royal Gazette Ltd.'s Ridgway Awards stand yesterday with the Hon. John Barritt, a director of the company who presented the awards. From left to right are Mr. Paul Egan, Mr. Lorin Smith, Mr.

Barritt, Miss Marina Esplin-Jones, Mr. David Skinner and Mr. Tamell Simons.

Missing is Ms Patricia Calnan. Behind them is a portrait of Cmdr. Guy Ridgway.