The 2009 Plain English Campaign Awards marked the 30th year that we have recognised the saints and sinners who communicate with the public.

In 1980 we gave our first awards to six organisations that had used plain English in their documents. We also named and shamed more than 100 groups who were guilty of gobbledygook.

It is our light-hearted treatment of these people that has always attracted the most attention. We gave the first set of winners a repulsive wastepaper basket, and the 1981 winners found a parcel of tripe in their mail! Unfortunately, hygiene laws now prevent this, and instead we give the winners a plastic 'Golden Bull' trophy.

After the 1981 awards, a sceptical journalist phoned 20 previous Bull winners to see how they had reacted. Only one had taken no action and Eagle Star, one of the unfortunate winners, had totally rewritten their bull-winning policy.

We later found that government departments won so many of the Plain English (or 'good') awards that, in 1987, we gave the first Inside Write Awards for documents written by the civil service for civil servants. The category was so successful, we made it permanent in 1991.

1993 saw perhaps the most famous Golden Bull, awarded to the NHS for a 229-word definition of 'a bed'!

In 1995 we gave the first Crystal-clear Trophy to NatWest for being the bank most committed to plain English throughout the year. We later added other Crystal-clear categories, including local authorities and insurance.

In 2000, the Crystal-clear Trophies were replaced with a separate event, Crystal-clear day on 30 June. This was a celebration of all the documents that have earned the Crystal Mark.

Lord Peter Mandelson

For his comment on the investigations into MP's expenses .

“Perhaps we need not more people looking round more corners but the same people looking round more corners more thoroughly to avoid the small things detracting from the big things the Prime Minister is getting right.”

These awards are given for the year's 'best' examples of gobbledygook. To nominate a document, please send a copy to:

Golden Bull awards
Plain English Campaign
PO Box 3
New Mills
High Peak
SK22 4QP.

Or email it to us.

If you enter a document, we will assume you want to remain anonymous unless you say otherwise. If your nomination wins a Golden Bull award, we will write to you in November to invite you to attend the awards ceremony in London .

The closing date for entries for the 2010 awards is 30 September. We will contact the winners in November.

These awards are for internal government documents. This means civil servants writing for other civil servants. The awards are supported by the Cabinet Office, for which we are very grateful.

We do not allow entries of documents that our own staff have worked on in any way.

Below are the winners for 2008.

Forestry Commission for a Lyme disease leaflet

This handy pocket-sized leaflet is cleverly designed so it is compact, but the clarity doesn’t suffer as a result. A good type size and clear layout make the information easy to read and digest. Short sentences and clear paragraphs all add to the clarity, and the use of personal references makes the document accessible to the intended audience. The diagrams are helpful and do not detract from the information. All in all, an essential guide for anyone working for the Forestry Commission.

Veterinary Laboratories Agency – DEFRA for the Weybourne Building User’s Guide

‘The Weybourne Building is the VLA’s headquarters. This useful guide gives staff information on the building itself and working for the VLA. A good use of lists, plenty of white space and a logical flow all make the document easy to navigate. The numbering system helps the reader find relevant information quickly, and clear headings all enhance the clarity. Personal references and active, rather than passive, text are both used effectively.

The Royal Navy for Navy News

Yet again, the Royal Navy have come up trumps with their well-written magazine. Fantastic photographs draw the reader in and informative articles, which follow the essential rules of good journalism, make Navy News a worthy winner. Plenty of white space, clear paragraphing and short sentences all combine to create a good example of plain English written for an intended audience.

These awards are given to the best television programmes, radio shows and newspapers that people have nominated over the year, at a national and regional level. Our judges consider how well entrants have used plain English, and how successfully and passionately they have fought gobbledygook.

The closing date for entries for the 2010 awards is 30 September. We will contact the winners in November.

Below are the winners for 2009.

The International Media Award: Current TV USA

A cable TV channel operating in US, UK and Italy. Current TV is an independent media company led by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and businessman Joel Hyatt. It is largely managed by young people to report and present current affairs in a way that is appropriate for an audience of young people.

Best national newspaper: Daily Telegraph

Obviously the Telegraph came to our attention this year for the excellent journalism in uncovering the MPs’ expenses scandal.

As well as this, our judges said: As ‘Britain’s best-selling quality daily’, the Telegraph has much to praise about it, and its simple, straightforward style of communication is certainly one aspect of this.

It presents its news and information clearly and attractively, without resorting to using jargon and long, complex terms and phrases.

Best regional newspaper: Birmingham Mail

A good regional newspaper will always have the local community at the heart of its work, and the Birmingham Mail demonstrates this more than most.

Its clean, concise writing, its visually appealing layout and its use of good headlines and white space all make for a newspaper which is interesting, engaging and, above all, enjoyable to read.

Best national radio programme: BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat

Newsbeat has been setting trends in news reporting for over 35 years, and today its fresh and engaging content is arguably better than ever.

It never loses sight of its young audience, using innovative sound and production techniques to report the news in a clear, engaging and uncomplicated way.

Best regional radio: Belfast CityBeat

An award-winning station for years, CityBeat is an excellent example of local radio appealing to a local audience.

With over 140,000 listeners each week, the station’s popularity comes from its great mix of topical discussion and music, all presented in a style which is straightforward, simple and entertaining.

Best national television programme: ITV News at Ten

With over 40 years of programming, News at Ten continues to use its vast broadcasting experience to provide high-quality, clear and honest news coverage.

The reporting is passionate and inquisitive and has depth, but is concise and easy to understand, often using graphics and visuals to aid clarity.

Best regional television programme: BBC North West Tonight

This regional programme provides news which is both relevant and important to the local population. The presenters and reporters are professional and knowledgeable and explain things clearly to their viewers.

As well as its regional content, the programme covers national and international stories, but expertly tailors them to a north-west audience. Having won the Royal Television Society’s award for Best Regional News Programme in 2008, it’s clear that North West Tonight is clearly hitting the right note with viewers and commentators alike.

We set up this award to honour the memory of Geoffrey Osborne, a benefactor and great supporter of the Campaign. The award goes to an individual or organisation making a major contribution to the plain English cause.

A plain-speaking man

As a voice of the grassroots, Plain English Campaign could not have asked for a more appropriate contributor than Geoffrey Osborne, a plain-speaking man born to a farming family in Dorset. He had no time for gobbledygook or legalese and when illness forced him into a new career, his love of learning and language led him into teaching.

When further illness prevented him from working altogether he kept his mind alert by reading and writing. For all his learning, Geoff was still a sociable and down-to-earth man who loved the English language.

Living alone, but with many neighbours, he loved to debate the correct use and meaning of words. Along with the diaries he kept were a number of dictionaries which he regularly had re-covered as they became worn with constant use.

The memorial award and the research work benefiting from Geoff’s generosity are a true gift to the people he inspired and enlightened with his teachings and opinions. Like Chrissie Maher, the Campaign’s founder, Geoff believed in communicating with straight speaking and a sense of humour.

Osborne Memorial award 2009

This year’s Osborne Memorial award went to Citizens Advice for 70 years of volunteers providing advice and explanations in plain English to members of the public.

These awards are for the clearest documents of the year (on any subject).

We do not allow entries for documents that our own staff have worked on. The closing date for entries for the 2010 awards is 30 September. We will contact the winners in November.

Below are the winners for 2009

Multiple Sclerosis Society for a booklet, 'Shrinking the Monster'

This booklet makes use of great design to catch the eye and illustrate the text. They make good use of white space, and use lists effectively to add to the readability. Personal references and active verbs keep the text lively and interesting, while short paragraphs and clear explanations add to the overall clarity.

Reclaim young people's manifestos

These leaflets, written by young people for young people, use short, snappy lists, clear design, active verbs and everyday language to highlight issues of importance to young people. By using words appropriate to the audience, they become an effective tool for passing on a very positive message.

Royal British Legion - for the fund-raising leaflet 'You can help pick up the pieces'

As well as using the main principles of plain English, the British Legion have used pictures effectively to emphasise the message. And, by adding people's perspectives, it makes the appeal more direct.

Liverpool Health Promotion Service - for a leaflet, 'The Menopause'

The judges picked this leaflet as it was a handy size and displayed key elements of plain English such as good use of lists, short sentences and attractive design.

Food Standards Agency - for a leaflet on listeria, 'If you're over 60...'

A winner for its simple language, lack of baffling terminology and attractive design. It uses personal pronouns such as 'we' and 'you' well, and employs the 'active' rather than 'passive' voice. The important message is aimed specifically at an older audience and doesn't patronise while still being clearly expressed.

Samaritans for a leaflet - for young people, 'Who are the Samaritans?'

Our panel decided that this leaflet was well laid out and used list structures to effectively break up the information. By using short sentences and plenty of space in the design, the Samaritans were able to convey their message effectively. Illustrations and subheadings are used well to also aid understanding.

World Cancer Research Fund - for a leaflet on breast cancer

World Cancer Research fund convey a very important message by using clear, crisp, well-sized typeface and a short line length. They combine these with good use of colours and active verbs on this double-sided A5 leaflet.

PharmacyHealthLink - for a leaflet, 'Healthy Planet, Healthy You'

PharmacyHealthLink came up with a clear, unfussy design and a handy size for their leaflet. It has clear subheadings, good use of lists, white space and a direct, personal writing style.

Liverpool Health Promotion Service - for a leaflet, 'The Menopause'

The judges picked this leaflet as it was a handy size and displayed key elements of plain English such as good use of lists, short sentences and attractive design.

Food Standards Agency - for a leaflet on listeria, 'If you're over 60...'

A winner for its simple language, lack of baffling terminology and attractive design. It uses personal pronouns such as 'we' and 'you' well, and employs the 'active' rather than 'passive' voice. The important message is aimed specifically at an older audience and doesn't patronise while still being clearly expressed.

Samaritans for a leaflet - for young people, 'Who are the Samaritans?'

Our panel decided that this leaflet was well laid out and used list structures to effectively break up the information. By using short sentences and plenty of space in the design, the Samaritans were able to convey their message effectively. Illustrations and subheadings are used well to also aid understanding.

World Cancer Research Fund - for a leaflet on breast cancer

World Cancer Research fund convey a very important message by using clear, crisp, well-sized typeface and a short line length. They combine these with good use of colours and active verbs on this double-sided A5 leaflet.

PharmacyHealthLink - for a leaflet, 'Healthy Planet, Healthy You'

PharmacyHealthLink came up with a clear, unfussy design and a handy size for their leaflet. It has clear subheadings, good use of lists, white space and a direct, personal writing style.

This is an annual award, given to what we consider to be the clearest website of the year.

Our judges look for a site that:

• is written in plain English;
• is attractive, but not at the expense of clarity;
• makes it easy for the reader to find their way around; and
• makes it easy for the reader to get the information they are looking for.

The contest is open to any website except those that Plain English Campaign's editing staff have worked on, or those with our Internet Crystal Mark.

To nominate a site, please e-mail us with the address. You can nominate your own site or somebody else's. The closing date for entries for the 2010 awards is 30 September. We will contact the winners in November.

The 2009 winner is the financial ombudsman service for www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

The financial ombudsman service has won this years web award for a website that provides advice and information on a complex subject in a straightfoward manner.

The introductory "About us" pages are welcoming and friendly. The layout and design of the pages is uncluttered and easy to follow, and care has been taken to ensure that the website is accessible to all users.