Friends of Castle Meadows’ Photography Competition

The Friends of Castle Meadows have launched a photographic competition to capture the best of Abergavenny and its environment – and showcase the winners during the Monmouthshire and district National Eisteddfod of Wales 2016.

The theme of the competition, sponsored by Shackleton Photographic, is ‘The natural world in Abergavenny and the surrounding area’, and it has categories for both children and adults with certificates and vouchers for winners.

Winning entries will be on display on the Maes at Castle Meadows during the premier cultural festival in Wales between July 29th and August 6th, and have the potential to be seen by many thousands of visitors.

“We would like to thank Monmouthshire County Council for including the exhibition in their space on the Maes and thank Shackleton Photographic for their support and sponsorship,” said Helen Trevor Davies, Chair of the Friends of Castle Meadows.

The Friends are a volunteer group who manage the meadows in partnership with MCC’s Countryside Services. They organise planting sessions, seasonal invasive plant blitzes, litter-picking and are raising awareness of the need to keep the environment clean and safe.

“The competition is an opportunity for photographers of all ages to share their creativity and to highlight the beauty and variety of the area around Abergavenny,” said Helen. “We would also like to thank Abergavenny Camera Club for their advice about setting up the competition.”

The judges are Mr Vince Penticost, president of the Welsh Photographic Federation, a WPF listed judge; and Chairman of Western Valley Camera Club; Councillor Chris Woodhouse, the next Mayor of Abergavenny; Darren Cox from Shackleton Photographic; and Judy Evans, a member of the Friends’ group. The Friends are particularly keen to encourage youngsters to learn more about the beautiful countryside around them.

A ‘Young Friends’ group has recently been set up and groups of children have had the chance to explore the meadows on school visits. It is hoped that schools will help children upload entries, especially if they cannot do so at home.

In the competition, there will be three prize-winners, 1st 2nd and 3rd in each of four categories: 10 years and under; 11-14 years; 15-17 years; and 18s and over.

The competition closes on Thursday, 30th June 2016. Winners will be announced in July and invited to a ceremony where they will be presented with a certificate, and vouchers from Shackleton Photographic in each of the four categories. First prize- winners – vouchers for 250 (6×4”) prints; 2nd prizes – 150 (6×4”) prints; 3rd prizes – 100 (6×4”) prints

Plans are being made for a further exhibition of winning entries following the National Eisteddfod in the town centre at The Chapel in Market Street.

For your chance to be crowned as a top photographer, please email your entry to friendsofcastlemeadows@gmail.com

Each photograph has to be the entrant's own work. There is a limit of two photographs per entrant. Full contact details must be given, and if under 18, your age. The work of children may be submitted by their parents or through their school, if participating.

Photographs must be taken in the Abergavenny or surrounding area. Please include details of where each photograph was taken and the title. Terms and conditions are on the Friends of Castle Meadows’ website https://friendsofcastlemeadows.files.wordpress.com/2016/04/competition-rules.pdf

For more details about Friends of Castle Meadows see the website https://friendsofcastlemeadows.wordpress.com/