We’ve launched a Cover It Live event for the talk about local unconference and unawards today (Click Here).  Please tag your tweets, pictures, etc. #TAL10 for them to be included. The Guardian are also live blogging this events at Guardian Leeds.

Whilst things are gearing up for the talk about local Unconference this  Saturday don’t forget the social event of the year that directly follows it. I am of course referring to the glittering talk about local Unawards ceremony this Saturday 17th April from 6pm onwards in Chilli White, Leeds.

This grand occasion will see the best hyperlocal talent in the UK getting recognition for their efforts in the shape of a round of a applause, a raising of glasses and a beautiful badge to adorn their website.

The talk about local team have carefully considered your suggestions for categories, and have whittled them down to the list below. If deserving winners for these titles spring to mind, please comment your suggestions with reasons why. This Friday a panel of esteemed judges (us lot) will hide away in a locked room, consider your comments along with our own personal preferences, and decide upon the winners arbitrarily. Who said democracy was dead?

All hyperlocal community websites in the UK are eligible for one of the following Unawards, so speak now or until next year hold our peace:

The cream of the hyperlocal crop:

• Overall winner
• Best Hyperlocal Twitter stream
• Best Hyperlocal Story/Post
• Most Inspirational site
• Best local special interest website
• Best campaign
• Best investigation/investigative reporting
• Best community engagement
• Best council coverage
• The UnTourist Board Award for a site that attracts visitors to a place
• Most innovative use of data
• Best use of video
• Best use of audio
• Best use of photography
• Best use of a map
• The Hyperlocal Extreme Award for thrilling, breathtaking or dangerous hyperlocal reporting
• LOL Award for making us laugh

With thanks to those that support us….

• Best support to hyperlocal bloggers
• UK Hyperlocal Favourite Tool
• Best public sector backing of hyperlocals

And those that don’t….

• Best attack by traditional media

We have now closed the nominations for the Talk About Local UnAwards categories and will make final decisions as to which of the categories we are going to open up for nominations over the Christmas & New Year break.

The highly coveted UnAwards will be presented at a ceremony which will take place a little later than we first said and somewhere other than the West Midlands.

We have been speaking to a sponsor for the next Talk About Local UnConference and we are currently investigating some venues in the the North of England for an event in the first quarter of 2010.  Once we have got a confirmed venue we will give you more details.  The UnAwards will be presented at a glittering ceremony after the UnConference.

All that remains is for William, Nicky, Clare and I to wish you a very happy Christmas & New Year.