Local photographers in the frame
Winners of this year's Aylesbury Vale Photographic Competition were announced at a prize-giving ceremony held at the Aylesbury Tourist Information Centre on the 7 October.
Thame resident Lauren Price, who is 10 years old, won the junior competition with a charming photograph of Brill Windmill and received £100 of Friars Square shopping vouchers.
Emma Chappell was awarded first prize in the adult competition for her delightful picture of the Grand Union Canal at Broughton. The Aylesbury resident received a night for two at the luxurious Hartwell House Hotel.
The winners were amongst 44 entries to this year's photographic competition, making it a difficult task for judges to whittle down the number of selected photographs destined for the district's key tourism publications and the www.visitbuckinghamshire.org website.
The judges this year were Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure at AVDC, Tlws Johnson, an Aylesbury Vale Arts Council board member, and the Bucks Herald's chief photographer, Barry Keen. Councillor Sue Polhill, Chairman of AVDC, presented the prizes to the winners.
The photographic competition was organised by the Aylesbury Tourist Information Centre with support from AVDC and the Bucks Herald. Amateur photographers across Aylesbury Vale were invited to send in photographs that capture two distinct themes of the district, 'Historical Aylesbury Vale' and 'Leisure Activities in Aylesbury Vale'. A wide variety of images were received, ranging from the district's architecture and countryside to heritage and events.
Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure at AVDC, was impressed by the quality and creativity of the work produced. "The standard of entries was extremely high and the selection of winners was a very close call. However, the overall winners produced something extra special that stood out from the others," said Councillor Thompson.
"Some of the best entries were for the under 16s competition, which shows the exceptional creativity of our young people. It has been great to see so many fantastic images portraying the many varied views and buildings of the Vale," he added.
- Ends -
Notes to editors:
Copies of the winning photographs are available upon request.
The full list of winners and runners up are:
Under 16s competition
1st prize - Lauren Price, aged 10. Title: Brill Windmill. Prize - £100 of Friars Square shopping vouchers.
2nd prize - Louisa Down, aged 12. Title: The Wendover Arm/Halton Canal. Prize - Annual family ticket for Bekonscot Model Village
3rd prize - Georgina Hawkins, aged six. Title: Duck Pond and Haddenham Church. Prize - Family ticket for Aylesbury Civic Centre Pantomime.
4th prize - Sophie Moss, aged 14. Title: Coombe Hill. Prize - Bowling at Jardines.
Highly commended - Morgan Proverbs, aged eight. Title: St Mary's Church, Aylesbury.
Highly commended - Taylor Proverbs, aged eight. Title: Aqua Vale, Aylesbury.
Highly commended - Stephen Price, aged 15. Title: Brill Windmill.
Over 16s competition
1st prize - Emma Chappell. Title: Aylesbury Arm of the Grand Union Canal. Prize - night for two at Hartwell House Hotel.
2nd prize - Ian Goddard. Title: Aylesbury Duck at Haddenham. Prize - £100 Derwent Coach travel voucher.
3rd prize - Paul Tipping. Title: Parsons Fee by St Mary's Church, Aylesbury. Prize - Family ticket for Waddesdon Manor at Christmas plus a bottle of champagne.
4th prize - Lucy Jones. Title: Coombe Hill. Prize: Tour of Chiltern Brewery for two.
5th prize - Jean Reed. Title: Out for a Walk, Haddenham (ducks). Prize - Bowling at Jardines.
For interviews, please contact:
- Councillor David Thompson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, 01296 425656
- Phil Black, Assistant Marketing & Tourism Manager, 01296 585183
Issued by:
David Dean, Media Officer, 01296 585099, ddean@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk