Member Article

Photo competition results revealed

A stunning shot of the Farne Islands by Raymond Johnston from Berwick upon Tweed, has won first prize in the North East England Chamber of Commerce and Northumbrian Water photography competition.

There was also a President’s Prize, selected by Mike Mathews, Chamber President, which was awarded to Jane Lowes of Seaham, who works for Treanors Solicitors, Sunderland. Her shot was of her nine-year old Springer Spaniel Merry enjoying a walk through Pelaw Woods, Durham.

Raymond Johnston won a weekend stay at Kielder Waterside and Jane won a bottle of champagne. He said: “I took the photo just after sunrise in early October, I wanted to show the beautiful Islands of Farne are so close to the Bamburgh beach, so included the rocky foreground and gentle waves to give it some scale. It truly is a magical part of our fantastic coastline.”

Ben Powick, Chamber policy adviser, who organised the competition to help promote all of the tourism attractions in the region said: “We had a tremendous selection of photographs from right across the whole North East, from Redcar up to Berwick. The selection of shots have really showcased the highlights of we can offer tourists, no matter what they are looking for. Coastline, heritage, countryside, city life, the North East really has a huge amount to offer tourists as well as people who live here.”

Louise Hunter, Director of Corporate Affairs at Chamber Partner member Northumbrian Water, said: “The entries into the competition provided a fantastic snapshot of the stunning North East landscape. From the Tees Valley to Berwick, Teesdale to Kielder, there are gems at every turn and the entries have proved that there are photographers all over the North East who are up to the challenge of capturing the region’s beauty. Raymond Johnston’s photograph of the Farne Islands is a fitting winner among some tough competition and we are sure he will find plenty of beautiful scenes when he enjoys his prize of a stay at Kielder Waterside.”

The competition is part of a Chamber campaign to raise awareness of tourism businesses as well as attractions and beauty spots. There will be an interactive map launched in the new year with companies able to upload details about what they offer to help boost their business.

Information on tourism can be tweeted at the hashtag #VisitNorthEastEngland.

ENDS

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kay Wilson .