Stunning sunset lands top prize for Shropshire vet Amy
A vet and a schoolgirl have emerged as winners of rotary club’s 2020 photography competition.
Amy Leather, who lives at Tilston and is a vet at the Leonard Brothers practice in Whitchurch, impressed judges with a sunset beach shot emphasising the isolation caused by the pandemic and an appreciation of the NHS.
The picture, which they described as “technically excellent and outstandingly on-message”, won the ‘Over-18’ and ‘Overall Winner’ prizes.
Amy took up photography when her usual creative outlet, playing with Farndon and District Brass Band, was forced to stop during lockdown last year.
The top place in the competition’s Under-18 section was won by 15-year-old Whitchurch schoolgirl Martha Williams, with a well composed picture showing how children reacted to the Covid year in appreciation of NHS heroes.
Judges Chris Gittins, from Whitchurch Photography, Holly Turner, from Blossom Rose Photography, and Chelsea Lyons, the photography teacher at Sir John Talbot's School, based their choices not only on technical skill but also on following the main brief of what 2020 meant to people on a personal level.
They also added commendations and merit recognition although only the two main winners will receive cash prizes and be presented with their photos professionally printed and framed.
“We received some truly thought-provoking pictures,” said Whitchurch Rotary Club president, Ian Fawcett.
“The overall standard was extremely high and the competition raised money that will help us support a variety of local charities and community causes at a time when traditional fundraising methods are proving so difficult.”
The competition, named ‘2020 . . . in Focus’, was sponsored by North Shropshire Home Care, Hatchers Solicitors, Whitchurch Photography and was supported by Barlows Electrical.
Over-18 runner-up was Tim Watkinson, while James Owen and Amy Leather were highly commended in the same category.
Over-18 merit awards went to Richard Priestley, James Owen, Ron Parnell and Laura Butler.
Under-18 runner up was Samual Barlow, while Mabel Hazlehurst, Joseph Sheridan and Samual Barlow were highly commended.
