THURSDAY 16th DECEMBER 2021
CHRISTMAS KNOCKOUT COMPETITION
Twelve months ago we held our first virtual Christmas social – who would have thought that a year on we would be having to do the same again? Again, as last year, there was no setting out of tables and chairs, no arranging food and drinks and no face to face chatter. But despite that, there was an excellent ‘turn out’ of members, some dressed in festive jumpers, others with a glass of Christmas cheer to hand and everyone ready to take on the roll of judge for the annual Christmas Knockout Competition.
Chairman David Brookes ARPS, presented the entries one at a time and then in pairs giving everyone a couple of minutes to mull over each image before Steve Stone then asked for an on-line vote. As with every other year, members were invited to submit up to three images and this year twenty one members entered between them sixty two photographs. The subjects of the images were varied, still life, landscapes, portraits and wildlife were all included which made for most enjoyable evening, however, it was sometimes rather difficult to choose your favourite of the two displayed, it certainly makes you realise how difficult it is for judges in camera club competitions.
One by one and round by round entries were eliminated until the final four were left to battle it out. Even though this was a virtual meeting you could feel the tension building up as the task of choosing which image you preferred got harder and harder as the evening went by.
After the final three votes were submitted Steve Daniell announced the winners in reverse order. Steve Varman LRPS with his entry ‘ Poppies in the Sun’ and Brian Wetton with his entry ‘Fishing in the Storm!’ took equal third place whilst Steve Varman LRPS also took second place with his entry ‘A Nice Place to Graze’. The outright winner though was Elizabeth Restall ARPS with her entry ‘A Murmuration’. Both Elizabeth and Steve won a Christmas cake baked, beautifully decorated and donated by Gloria Pritchard.
A huge thank you to everyone who took part and a massive congratulations to the worthy winners.