The Clyde and Avon Valley Landscape Partnership (CAVLP) are inviting people of all ages and photographic abilities to enter a year long seasonal photography competition seeking to capture what makes the area unique.

Each winning photographer will win a framed print of their photograph and submitted images may be selected for display in CAVLP exhibitions, postcards and digital interpretation of the area on the CAVLP website.

Judging will take place quarterly, taking place after each seasonal category closes at the end of November (autumn), February (winter), May (spring) and August (summer) – with overall winners picked in September 2016.

Each seasonal category is broken down into five different themes illustrating the unique characteristics of the Clyde and Avon valleys – from woodlands and orchards, to designs in the landscape, geology, horticulture, agriculture, industrial heritage and play.

“CAVLP is a Heritage Lottery Fund supported organisation whose aim is to celebrate the distinct mosaic of characteristics which make the area so unique,” explains Sarah O’Sullivan, Communications Officer for CAVLP. “The photography competition is a perfect opportunity to capture the beauty of this diverse and somewhat mysterious landscape throughout the changing seasons in the valleys, through the eyes of the people who know it best.”

Photographs should be taken in, or looking into, the Area of Great Landscape Value which follows the Clyde and Avon valleys respectively from just south of Hamilton to New Lanark and Strathaven, available in the competition notes. The area is well known for attractions such as Chatelherault Country Park and New Lanark World Heritage Site but there are many, more hidden features of the landscape that tell an equally important part of the area’s story.

Open to all ages and photographic abilities, entries will be judged on creativity and individuality as much as technical skill, by a panel from a diverse range of backgrounds.

“We really want to encourage local photography enthusiasts to help us celebrate the charms and eccentricities of the historic Clyde and Avon valley landscape.” says Donna Marshall, Manager of CAVLP.  “We’re sure that the variety of photographs entered will be as diverse as the landscape they are capturing and are looking forward to seeing the sense of place that will come through from the images submitted.  So much of this area remains undiscovered to people out with the local area and, we hope, this project will help us showcase the beauty, drama and unique aspects of this landscape”

Photographs can be entered in a digital format to info@clydeandavonvalley.com. Alternatively, they may be entered in print format to: David Dale’s House, Rosedale Street, New Lanark, ML11 9DJ.

For full information on the competition, visit www.clydeandavonvalley.com/news or email info@clydeandavonvalley.com.

Laura Preston – Scottish Wildlife Trust, Falls of Clyde Ranger