Winners of open spaces photo competition revealed

Published: Mon 4th November, 2024

Talented photographers from across the borough have been recognised for their amazing photos of the outdoors in Charnwood.

Charnwood Borough Council ran its ‘Love the outdoors in Charnwood’ photo competition for the third successive year this summer, and its popularity has continued to grow.

Residents were asked to submit their photos of the borough’s beautiful nature reserves, ancient woodlands and parks.

Over 120 entries were received across the three categories of Young Photographer, Wonderful Wildlife and the Open Category.

The Council’s lead member for open spaces in Charnwood, Cllr Anne Gray, was one of the judges and said it was tough selecting the winning entries. She said: “For the third year in a row we have been overwhelmed with the response from residents and the quality of the photos received.

“There are clearly a lot of talented photographers in Charnwood, and it has been a difficult but rewarding experience judging the competition.

“Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up, and a big thank you to everyone who entered.

“Our Love the outdoors in Charnwood campaign shines a light on our stunning outdoors spaces in the borough and encourages people to visit both the well-known parks and open spaces and the hidden gems.”

Love Loughborough BID supported the competition by providing shopping vouchers as prizes. Runners-up received a £25 voucher, and the overall category winners were awarded a £50 voucher.

Lez Cope-Newman, Chair of Love Loughborough BID, said: “The photo competition has been great to support for another year. The winners and runners-up can spend their vouchers across a number of excellent retailers in the town, whether they treat themselves to something nice or pick up a Christmas present or two!”

From photographs of the majestic deer at Bradgate Park and close ups of butterflies at Queen’s Park in Loughborough to photos of squirrels and robins, there was a huge variety of nature showcased in the Wonderful Wildlife category.

However, it was a photo of a frog peeping out from inside of a watering can which was selected as the category winner.

Richard Stinson from Quorn who took the photo said: “I am extremely pleased to have won first prize in the Wonderful Wildlife category.

“There was no water pouring out of the watering can in my garden, so I investigated further and found that the frog had found its way inside. I poured him out into a pond once I had taken a photo.”

Entries to the Open Category showcased Charnwood’s amazing open spaces and landscapes across the borough. The winning photo was a shot of the statues at King Lear's Lake at Watermead Park in Thurmaston, taken by Greg Puczylo from Birstall.

Greg said: “I enjoy visiting the King Lear statues when out for a walk at Watermead Country Park. The photo was taken during high water levels in the area after significant rainfall in the preceding few days.

“It was a wonderful surprise to find out that I had won. I look forward to spending my voucher. Thank you very much and congratulations to all the other winners and runners-up.”

Maya Hernandez, aged 14 from Birstall, was chosen as the winner of the Young Photographer for her photo of a bumble bee inside a flower at Queen’s Park. Maya said: “I was so excited when my mum told me that my photo had won. I love to visit the gardens at Queen’s Park and the bumble bee landed on the perfect flower for me to take a nice photo!”

To find out more about the ‘Love the outdoors in Charnwood’ campaign and to watch a video containing all of this year’s competition entries, please visit: www.charnwood.gov.uk/LoveOutdoors.

An album of the photos can be found at: www.charnwood.gov.uk/photos.

Winners and runners-up 

Wonderful Wildlife 

• Winner: Richard Stinson
• Runner-up: Beatrice Kimber

Richard Stinson's photograph of a frog in a watering can.

Young photographer

• Winner: Maya Hernandez
• Runner-up: Oliver Cunningham

Maya Hernandez's photograph of a bee inside a flower.

Open category

• Winner: Greg Puczylo
• Runner-up: Annie O’Brian

Greg Puczylo's photograph of the statues at King Lear's Lake at Watermead Park in Thurmaston.