26 Oct 2022 Community

Congratulations to our 2023 Calendar Competition Winners!

Earlier this year saw the launch of our annual calendar competition, looking for beautiful photographs captured over the last 12 months to feature in our 2023 Calendar. Inundated with picturesque scenes from across Kirklees, including landscapes, rural views, animals, sunsets, rainbows, and snow, we are delighted to announce that our calendars are now available to purchase in all The Kirkwood shops and online, and we caught up with this year's winners to find out a little bit more about their stunning photographs and the reasons for taking part.

Clair Parker
(January)

First time winner of our calendar competition was over the moon to receive the news her photo had been selected for the 2023 calendar. Moving to Kirkburton during the pandemic and enjoying the landscape on her daily walks, snapping the wonderfully snowy scene titled: ‘Highburton, Huddersfield- Along Moor Lane. When we asked Clair how she came to hear of The Kirkwood, and her decision to enter our competition, she told us her best friend's mum had been cared for by The Kirkwood. Her friend being an active supporter of The Kirkwood with plenty of fundraising activities, Clair had become more aware of us via her friends' fundraising efforts and started following us on social media. 

Clair added: “The Kirkwood is vital in the community, and after hearing first-hand the support given to my friend and her family, I entered my photo and was thrilled to learn I had won. I hope the sale of the calendars helps towards supporting families like my friend.”

Rochelle Heyes
(February)

Another first-time winner of our calendar competition was Rochelle, who entered her winning photo, titled: ‘Rainbow in Slaithwaite’. With no personal connection to The Kirkwood, Rochelle learnt of the competition whilst looking at one of our Snowdog Support life pups at her local school and overhearing a talk from our fundraising team. Rochelle comments: “I love rainbows, they make you happy, and when I saw the scene in my photograph, with the reflections of the colours in the pools of fresh rain, it caught my eye, and I thought that would make a lovely photograph".

Michael Scaramuzza
(March)

Keen photographer Michael, a regular entrant in our calendar competition, was selected for March with his stunning photo of ‘Folly Dolly Falls on Greenway’. Michael comments: “I’ve entered the competition for quite a few years, it all starting when my aunt came to The Kirkwood and was cared for in her last weeks".

The photo, taken in Meltham, was where Michael's aunt lived and enjoyed regular visits to the waterfalls. Michael continues: “The Kirkwood is a local place, funded by local people, and it’s great to be able to give back".

Ursula Parkinson
(April)

Developing a passion for photography during the pandemic, Ursula had swapped her daily commute for walking. Discovering new places and a new hobby in photography, Ursula submitted her winning photograph, titled: ‘Bolster Moor in the Colne Valley'. One of Ursula’s favourite places to go walking, admiring the views on her travels. Ursula comments: “It was an absolute honour to be shortlisted, let alone be chosen as a winner, and have my photo featured in The Kirkwood Calendar for 2023. I am honoured to hear my photo had been chosen. I hope it brings some happiness to the people buying the calendar, with the sales continuing to support The Kirkwood".

Maureen Hirst
(May)

An avid supporter of The Kirkwood, grateful for the care given to her father-in-law and brother. Maureen was delighted to learn her photo titled: ‘Holmfirth Folk Festival’ had been selected for the 2023 calendar. Maureen explains: “The Holmfirth folk festival was on when we were visiting, and I thought the photos I took on the day were nice and different so, I decided to send them in”. Everything at The Kirkwood is so relaxed, friendly and helpful, and I hope my contribution to the calendar helps bring a smile and the sales of the Calendar help towards the care they offer to the community”.

Ann-Marie Brook
(June)

A regular entrant into our Calendar competition, Ann-Marie has been a firm supporter of The Kirkwood, volunteering over the years following the support she and her family received after her dad's death. Ann-Marie explains: “The Kirkwood is amazing, my dad was in and out for respite for up to two weeks at a time following a terminal diagnosis, persevering with his life-limiting illness for eighteen months.

“When he was in The Kirkwood, Dalton site, he was happy and relaxed in comparison to when he was at home. He didn't like strangers coming into his home. The Kirkwood made him feel so welcome. They were amazing, and we couldn’t have done it without them”.

Ann-Marie's winning photo, titled: ‘Greenhead Park Landscape’ holds precious memories for Ann-Marie of where she used to walk with her dad, and where she now takes her grandchildren regularly. 

Ann-Marie comments: “I love peace and tranquillity, Greenhead Park is somewhere I go often, it’s often underrated, but so think it's a beautiful space”. 



Chris Lane
(July)

A passionate photographer, Chris plays golf regularly at Crosland Heath Golf Club, where he took his winning photo titled: ‘View of the 10th Hole at Crosland Heath Golf Club’. Chris explains the moment he captured his winning shot: “Whilst playing golf, I was looking for where my ball had landed and when I looked up and saw the scene, I thought WOW, I can't not take a picture of that, and it came out better than expected, the reflections and the colours were magnificent”.

Having a personal connection to The Kirkwood, Chris told us of the care his father-in-law, Richard, received four years ago, commenting: “Most people in Huddersfield have been in some way involved with The Kirkwood, be it friends, family, or someone you know. I was really pleased to have been selected to feature in the 2023 calendar and hope my photo brings a smile to those who buy it”.

Carol Kitson
(August)

Carol was chuffed to learn her photo had been picked as one of our winners for our 2023 calendar. "Sending in her photo titled: ‘Over The Rainbow’ to such a worthwhile and wonderful cause was a pleasure."

Carol continues: “My Dad was very much into photography and had many cameras, I developed my love of the subject through him. I take many images throughout the year, often daily. Being able to share my photos with The Kirkwood gave me the greatest of happiness and fulfilment.

My Dad was on the in-patient unit at The Kirkwood eleven years ago. The team at The Kirkwood were the ultimate in care and kindness. The compassion they showed was second to none and my dad was in the very best of hands when he was being cared for. It is always nice to give something back.”

Karen Newsome
(September)

Passionate about photography and supporting valuable charities, Karen entered the Kirkwood calendar competition with her photo titled: ‘Autumn Woods at Storthes Hall’ as an opportunity to promote the wonderful work of The Kirkwood in beautiful pictures for all to enjoy.

Karen said: “The woods at Storthes Hall mean so much to so, many people. My family used to live on the grounds of Storthes Hall when my father worked at the hospital in the 60s, and I remember walking through them as a child. I live near them now, which is great for our lively Cockapoo!

“My photo was taken a couple of years ago before the work was underway, to fell the diseased trees and is a reminder of the peace and tranquillity of the woods and why preserving them is so important for us all to enjoy in the future”.

Katy Wise
(October)

Local to The Kirkwood, Katy snapped her winning shot at her family farm in Upper Heaton. Her photo is very aptly titled: ‘Family Farm in Kirkheaton’. Katy had been visiting the family farm when she spotted the cows grazing on the brow of the hill heading towards Dalton bank with a spectacular sunset in the backdrop. Katy explains: “I just happened on the beautiful scenery and had to get a photo. The Kirkwood do amazing work, and anything I could do to help them is great”.

Adrienne Hatfield
(November)

Championing the motto #lovewhereyoulive avid photographer Adrienne was selected to feature as November in our 2023 Calendar with her photo titled: ‘Mirfield’. Adrienne comments: “The photo submitted is a very well-trodden towpath of the Calder & Hebble Navigation through the centre of my hometown in Mirfield.”

Adrienne continues: “The Kirkwood holds a very dear place in our hearts as a family after the care given to my mother-in-law, Janet Hatfield. Shaun and I have supported The Kirkwood in keeping the memory of Janet alive with Midnight Memory Walks, Sunrise Walks, Sunflower Appeals and so on. So, when I saw the calendar competition, I felt it was only right in Janet's memory to share the positive I see on my doorstep every day. We all have so much to be thankful for, and I feel this photo reminds us of what a new day brings.”

The Kirkwood has supported many people close to Adrienne’s heart, including her Uncle Adrian and Best friend Poncho.

“The Kirkwood sits firmly lodged deep in my heart because of their never waning love, care, support, and kindness to families. The Kirkwood shows you how to face the inevitable and is there to help you get through the other side. Their approach has shown me how important it is to openly talk about the subjects we would traditionally shy away from. The Kirkwood truly are the sunshine on every cloudy day, and I will continue to support them in whatever way I can”.

Traci Habergham
(December)

A lover of snow, simplicity and walking, Traci submitted her wonderfully wintery photograph titled: ‘A Snowy Emley Moor Mast’. Traci, a professional brand photographer, describes Emley Moor Mast as “iconic in Kirklees”. Her first time entering our calendar competition, she was delighted to find out she had won the December spot in our 2023 Calendar, stating: “It’s a great cause, I’m happy to have helped”.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who entered into our 2023 calendar competition, there were some truly wonderful photographs which made the selection process very tricky indeed. Congratulations to our winners this year, and thank you for your contribution. 

If you think you have an eye for photography and would like to try your luck in our competition, make sure to follow us on Facebook, where we will announce the opening of our 2024 calendar competition in the spring of next year.

All calendars are available to purchase in all The Kirkwood shops, along with our extensive Christmas card collection, Snowdog Support Life- Kirklees memorabilia from our art trail and much more. Visit our online shop here