April Johnson presents Helen Brownlie with the 1st place prize

Pollinator photography competition winners announced

The winners of a competition which saw individuals to connect with nature, hone their photography skills, and contribute to a significant environmental cause have been announced.

Knutsford Town Council launched the photography competition as part of its Knutsford Bee Trail, to encourage residents to take a look at pollinators in action. The winners were announced and prizes awarded at Picnic in the Park on Sunday 14th September.

The winners were:

Adult: Camera Category

A bee on a flower

1st Rebecca Ashworth

A bee on a flower

2nd Rebecca Ashworth

A butterfly on a flower

3rd Roger Hume

Adult: Phone Category

A bee near a poppy

1st Helen Brownlie

A bee on lavender

2nd Simon Cronan

A butterfly on a sunflower

3rd Roger Hume

Under 17s

    

A bee on a flower

1st Michael Taberner

Karl Creaser of Knutsford Photographic Society said “Knutsford Photographic Society was delighted to support and judge the town council’s photo competition as part of the launch of its award winning bee trail.”

The overall standard of entries was high and it was particularly pleasing to see entrants attempt to capture images of pollinators flying into a flower – and getting both in focus!  Very many congratulations to all those who were placed in the top three and especially to the winners of the three categories.” Karl added

Knutsford Town Council has been leading a year of activity focused on supporting pollinator insects through its Nature Action Plan. Central to this was the launch of the Knutsford Bee Trail in May, a 3.5m figure-of-eight walk around pollinator friendly spaces in Knutsford which saw the council receive a Bees Needs’ Award from Defra earlier this summer.

The Knutsford Photographic Society is a friendly, enthusiastic group of photographers who aim to have fun while not always taking themselves too seriously. They hold regular meetings and a number of club competitions throughout the year.

Bee near a flower

Pollinator photography competition launched

Knutsford Town Council, in collaboration with the Knutsford Photographic Society, is thrilled to announce the launch of a captivating photography competition as part of its 2025 focus on pollinators. This initiative aims to highlight the vital role of pollinating insects and encourage community engagement in efforts to reverse their decline.

The Bee Trail Photography Competition invites residents of all ages to capture the beauty and importance of pollinators in action. Participants are encouraged to submit striking photographs featuring at least one pollinator and one flower, showcasing the intricate relationship between these essential creatures and the flora they help thrive.

“We are pleased to be working with Knutsford Photographic Society to launch this competition, which celebrates the natural beauty around us but also serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of our pollinators” said Cllr April Johnson.

“Through the lens of the camera, we hope to foster a deeper appreciation for these insects and inspire actions that support their survival.”

To ensure broad participation, the competition features three categories:

  • Under 16s: Open to budding photographers 16 and under, using any device (phone or camera).
  • Ages 17+ (Phone): for those aged 17 and above, capturing the beauty with their phones.
  • Ages 17+ (Camera): for keen photographers aged 17 and above, using a camera to create captivating images.

Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category. The winning photographs will be unveiled and celebrated during the Picnic in the Park event on September 14th.

This competition is a great opportunity for individuals to connect with nature, hone their photography skills, and contribute to a significant environmental cause. Knutsford Town Council and the Knutsford Photographic Society look forward to seeing the incredible submissions that will undoubtedly emerge from this exciting new venture.

Further details on submission guidelines, deadlines, and specific entry procedures will be made available on the Knutsford Town Council website: https://www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/bee-trail/photo-comp

Knutsford Town Council is leading a year of activity focused on supporting pollinator insects through its Nature Action Plan. This competition follows the launch of the Knutsford Bee Trail.

The Knutsford Photographic Society is a friendly, enthusiastic group of photographers who aim to have fun while not always taking themselves too seriously. They hold regular meetings and a number of club competitions throughout the year.

Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks holds a giant postcard

Competition to draw a perfect park

Children at Knutsford’s primary schools have been set a challenge by Town Mayor Cllr Colin Banks to draw a picture of their perfect park as part of the Town Council’s green spaces consultation.

Postcards went out in book bags this week with children having until 21st June to submit their entries to the Council Offices or their school. The competition will be judged by the Mayor and Mayoress with one pupil from each school winning a prize of art supplies.

The entries will help identify what is most important to children when using public open spaces and will help inform the council’s new Green Spaces Strategy.

The competition aims to promote the council’s Green Spaces Survey, launched last week, to parents and encourage more Knutsford residents to share their views of what is important when it comes to Knutsford’s parks, woodlands and green spaces. Completing the main survey enters residents into a draw to win £100 of Knutsford Vouchers and the survey can be completed online at www.knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk/greenspacesurvey and paper copies can be found at The Welcome and Knutsford Library.

Cllr Colin Banks said “Our drawing competition is a fun way of getting the views of our younger Knutsfordians. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they draw and later on hearing what the parents say through our survey!”

If your child didn’t get a postcard in their bookbag, you can collect one from the Council Offices.