10 Dec 2018 Community

Meet the 2018 Kirkwood Calendar Competition Winners!

Every year, Kirkwood holds a competition to find the best photos of the most beautiful surroundings in Kirklees to feature in its annual Calendar. Winners of this year’s competition were invited down to the Hospice to receive the finished product and have a photograph with their winning entry.

The annual Kirkwood calendar is a cherished item for many local people and each year, the Hospice team run a photography competition, inviting the Kirklees community to send in their images for the chance to feature, with all proceeds going towards helping people with life limiting illnesses in Kirklees.

The 2019 calendar has been a huge success and the winners and the Kirkwood team recently invited the winners to the Hospice to collect their copy of the calendar.

Ann-Marie Brook, from Golcar, was amongst this year’s winners, with two entries featured as October and November.

When asked why she entered the competition, Ann-Marie said: “I love photography and it’s for a great cause, every little helps. I’ve also done a lot of fundraising in the past as my father came for respite on the In-Patient Unit at Kirkwood.”

Ann-Marie was joined by 18 month old granddaughter, Florence, who was equally excited about this year’s calendar.

 Ann-Marie with 18 month old, Florence

 

December winner, Vinny Tyrell, is currently a member of the Holmfirth Camera Club. She has been a keen photographer for the last four years, but has always had an eye for beautiful photos.

Vinny said: “I love doing photography; a friend recommended the competition to me and I entered as its all for a good cause.”

Michael Scaramuzza, from Oakes, took the photo ‘Above the Clouds’ and won February’s space with his fabulous photo of both Castle Hill and Emley Moor Mast above the clouds – as seen from Scapegoat Hill.

 Michael and Vinny with their winning entries

 

Michael retired from work three years ago and took up the hobby he once loved as a child; he has spent time developing his skill level by taking training courses.

When discussing his reason for entering, Michael said: “I first entered last year as both my Aunt and my friend were cared for by Kirkwood on the In-Patient Unit.”

Sue Dillingham, from Moldgreen, has always been into photography and her winning entry, Standedge Tunnel, features in March.

 

March is a very important month for Sue and when asked why she entered, she said: “I chose to enter the competition as I support Kirkwood as lot and I have always been into photography. Last March I was told I had a brain tumour and by July it had been removed.

“Being able to go out and take photos means a lot to me now. I like to take my grandchildren out for long walks and snap photos of the beautiful scenery.”

Kirkwood’s Trainee IT Technician, Hannah Walton, featured on the cover of the calendar with her entry of ‘Kirkwood Rose’.

Hannah has been taking photographs for around a year and likes to take her camera on days out and whilst walking.

 

Anna Brown won May’s entry with her photograph of nine year old daughter, Evie, in the beautiful surroundings of Oakwell Hall Country Park.

Anna saw the competition online the day it closed and immediately thought about the summer snap she took one day after collecting her children from school.

Three time competition winner, Sandie Nicholson, won July’s space with ‘On the Moove at Castle Hill’ and has also won this year’s Christmas card competition.

Sandie has been doing photography for around 10 years and is regularly featured on Calendar News, Paul the Weather Man and BBC4 24 with photos she takes whilst out walking the dog.

Sandie and Anna at Kirkwood with their winning entries

 

September winner, Darren Waite, entered for the first time this year with his entry of ‘M62 Sunset’. Darren entered to give back after his good friend’s Dad was card for at the end of his life on the In-Patient Unit at Kirkwood in 2017.

Darren has been doing photography for around four years and sent a photo in for each month of the year.

Darren said: “I’ve always been good at art so I just picked up the camera one day and started taking photos and entering competitions. Once I started winning competitions I started developing the skill more.”

 

Kirkwood’s Media and Marketing Officer, Lucy Green, is featured as April with ‘Emley Moor Mast in Bloom’ and August with ‘Plain Sailing at Scammonden’.

Lucy said: “Working for Kirkwood, and being part of the Marketing Department, I am aware of how important the support of our community is, including initiatives such as our annual calendar competition to raise essential funds.

“I have loved taking photos in my spare time for as long as I can remember, so it’s the perfect way to support a cause that I am passionate about.

 

“The Calendars also make the perfect Christmas present for my family – pretend you didn’t see this Mum!”

Keep a look out on our social media pages next year for more photography competitions!