The winners of Otley Pub Club’s Yorkshire Day pub photo competition have been announced by the Otley town mayor and bellman at an exhibition at the Black Horse Hotel.

Otley Pub Club photo exhibition
Left to right at the opening of the exhibition are: Bob Brook and Eddie Coneelly of Otley Pub Club, Holly Pennington (bronze winner), Nigel Halton (silver winner), Brian Keighley (gold winner), town mayor Ray Smith, and Otley bellman Terry Ford

The six-day-long exhibition, in the stables of the hotel, was opened by mayor Ray Smith and bellman Terry Ford at the opening event at 7pm on Yorkshire Day, 1st August. The competition was organised by Otley Pub Club with the support of Otley Camera Club. 

The three winners of the gold, silver, and bronze awards are, respectively: Brian Keighley, for his photo in The Junction; Nigel Halton, with his photo in The Old Cock; and Holly Pennington, with her photo in The Rose and Crown.

They were presented with £100, £50, and £25 prizes. The winners were picked by a judging panel made up of the mayor and representatives from both Otley Pub Club and Otley Camera Club. 

There were entries featuring many of the pubs in Otley. The photos were judged not necessarily on the quality of the photograph, but on what the photo meant to the person submitting it.

The exhibition is open to all in the Stables Yard of the Black Horse. All the entries have been printed and put up on display boards, along with more than 100 other prints depicting life in and around Otley’s pubs. There is also a video slideshow on the big screen with more than 300 photos featuring pubs past (with huge thanks to Otley Museum) and present. The display has been planned and coordinated by Otley Pub Club and Otley Camera Club.

The exhibition runs until Sunday, 6th August, from noon until 8pm (with a break on Thursday).

Otley Pub Club photo competition
Gold prize winner Brian Keighley (centre) collecting his prize with Bob Brook (left), of Otley Pub Club, and Otley mayor Ray Smith

“We’re delighted to announce the winners of the Yorkshire Day pub photo competition,” said Bob Brook, project co-ordinator for the Otley Pub Club.

“Thanks to all who entered, to Otley Camera Club for their support, and to the town mayor for helping with the judging and opening the exhibition along with our award-winning bellman, Terry Ford. Thanks also to Otley Museum for contributing to the slideshow, and to Jen and the team at the Black Horse for all their co-operation.”

“We’re really proud to see all the entries on display in the Black Horse Stables Yard. We wanted to come up with a way to celebrate Otley as a famous pub town in the run-up to Yorkshire Day. We hope people will come and raise a glass to Otley’s famous pubs.”

Stephen Tonkin, secretary of Otley Camera Club, added: “Otley Camera Club has been delighted to work with Otley Pub Club on this project celebrating Otley’s rich history as a pub town. Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to all who entered, and we hope people will come along and see the exhibition in the Black Horse Stables.”