Winners of photography competition announced

Winner of Terrific Trees category taken by Anthony Murden
17 November 2016

The winners have been announced for photography competition which celebrates the Heritage Trees, woods and wildlife of Greater Manchester.

City of Trees, alongside the RSPB and Lancashire Wildlife Trust, has announced the winners for photography competition which showcases woodland wildlife in Rochdale, and fantastic forests in Bolton.

The competition consisted of four categories, with finalists being shortlisted by a panel of judges, before the winners being chosen via a public vote, with people voting in their thousands for their favourite shot.

Beth Kelsall, City of Trees, comments “The winning entries showcase the wealth of woodlands and wildlife across the Greater Manchester region.

“We want to thank all the entrants, and those who voted, for helping to showcase the region’s great green spaces, and the wildlife living within it.

The winner of Terrific Trees was the stunning silhouette of  a tree, taken in early Autumn between Leigh and Lowton, just off the A580, near Wigan.

The photographer Anthony Murden comments; “One weekend I was able to photograph the tree in beautiful light. To me this looks more like the African Plains than a tree off the A580.”

The winning entry of Woodland Wildlife was taken by keen photographer David England, who snapped the stunning shot of a Greater Spotted Woodpecker in Queens Park, Heywood.

The Fantastic Forests category was won by Rob Baxter who took his mysterious misty shot in Rivington, Bolton

In the Connecting Communities category a stunning black and white shot of a rope swing in Alexandra Park, Whalley Range came out on top.

Papped by photographer Joanne Cassidy, who comments “I like the way the main tree seems to be leaning over offering support and protection whilst the young person enjoys swinging through the air.  The friend is also leaning in taking in the view.”

The winning entries will receive prizes including photography vouchers, a coffee table book, an RSPB ‘Home for Nature’ and Garden Wildlife Handbook, as well as a Heritage Trees goody bag.