From January to March 2021, the Rotary Club of Knighton and District called upon budding young photographers aged 6 to 18 years old to enter their best photographs in the “Nature on your Doorstep” themed competition.

Rotary Club Youth coordinator Sheila Smith said: “We were delighted with the response to this event and with the quality of the photographs we received from 18 young photographers in all age groups.” Sheila added “Everybody gave explanations of why their photos meant so much to them, which aided the judges in their decision-making process.”

The competition closed on March 22 and the judges Cathy Jones, Larry Smart and Sheila Smith then had the challenge of choosing the first three places in each age group. Rotary member Larry Smart said “The quality of the entries was very good, and it was difficult to choose between them, but we are happy with our decisions”

Every entrant received an appraisal of their photograph and the winning entries were:

6 to 11 years Grace Gurney (aged 10) 1st, Alice Jones (11 yo) 2nd, Seren Preece (10 yo) 3rd

Hereford Times: Grace Gurney, aged 10, 1st (6-11 years)

12 to 15 years Robin Fletcher (aged 13) 1st, Alisha Preece (14 yo) 2nd, Ruth Petley ( 12 yo) 3rd

Hereford Times: Robin Fletcher, aged 13, 1st (12-15 years)

16 to 18 years Christopher Warburton (aged 16) 1st, Christopher Davies ( 16 yo) 2nd, Leon Leese ( 17 yo) 3rd

Hereford Times: Christopher Warburton, 1st (16-18) and overall winner of Knighton Rotary Club's Young Photographer Competition with his photograph of deer in Mortimer Forest. In response to his award Christopher said “I am thrilled to learn that I won both

Christopher Warburton was also the overall winner with his photograph of deer in Mortimer Forest. As Rotary President Margaret Thorp said “I was asked to choose the overall winner from the excellent photos, which was difficult. However, Christopher’s photograph stood out for me with the atmosphere and movement created by the group of fallow deer."

In response to his award Christopher said “I am thrilled to learn that I won both categories. The photo of three female long-haired fallow deer running away from a stag means a lot to me as it was an incredible experience to see these rare deer in Mortimer forest, Ludlow, and be able to watch them in their natural habitat. Many thanks again to Knighton Rotary Club for organising this competition.”