Birds in song, spring lambs, and sunshine on the coast are just some of the seasonal sights snapped for Shepherd Neame’s first Spring Photography Competition.
Paul Stone’s winning entry of a robin on a blossom-laden branch
Launched to celebrate the brewer and pub owner’s charity of the year partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, entrants were invited to get out and photograph nature this spring.
From almost 100 entries submitted, the winning image chosen was a robin in full song perched on a blossomed-filled branch, securing the top prize of a £250 Shepherd Neame gift card for Paul Stone, from Ashford.
Paul, 61, a retired shopping centre manager, is a keen photographer, especially of wildlife. He has spent time pursuing his hobby in both Africa and Sri Lanka, as well as in this country. His winning image was taken near Victoria Park, in Ashford.
Paul, whose favourite Shepherd Neame brew is Spitfire Amber Ale, was presented with his certificate and gift card by Sheps Giving committee members corporate communications manager Kathryn Tye and PA to the chief executive Rebecca Balcombe at The Old Mill in Kennington, Ashford, where he and wife Zoe regularly dine out.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to win the competition. I love photography and am always taking pictures wherever I go, so it is brilliant to have my efforts recognised! My wife and I are really looking forward to spending the gift card.”
There were also eight runners-up, each receiving a £50 Shepherd Neame gift card for their fabulous photography.
They were: Oliver Mannion from St Stephen’s Green, Canterbury, for his spring lambs picture; Kerry Adams from Doncaster for her snowdrop image; Miriam Simmons of Hernhill for her shot of Seasalter beach huts; Andrew Bottomley from Kings Hill for a picture of a lamb in the undergrowth; Wayne Stock of Birchington for his picture of a duckling; Ian Holmes for his picture of a greenfinch and goldfinch in flight, and Jim Higham of Canterbury for his snap of a Peacock butterfly on blackthorn.
Bonus points were also awarded for a Shepherd Neame link to any entries, helping earn Jane Theoff of Wingham Well and her three-year-old rescue dog Waffle the final, prized place in our list of runners up for their daffodil-filled garden picture (above).
Thanks to the popularity of the inaugural contest, Shepherd Neame plans to hold an Autumn Photography Competition, with more details to be announced later in the year.
