The Norfolk countryside is a place of tranquil beauty, with vast, open fields, rolling hills, and endless blue skies. And what better way to explore this idyllic region than by taking a walk? For many, the simple act of walking can bring immense joy, allowing them to connect with nature, clear their mind, and enjoy the fresh air.
In October 2022 we created the counties first ever access-friendly walking festival that consisted of 26 guided walks, and 31 self-guided walks spread out right around the county. To celebrate this, we held a photo competition that focused on the themes of walking, autumn, joy, wildlife, and the sky.
The competition invited photographers of all levels to capture their own unique perspective on these themes, resulting in an impressive collection of images that showcased the natural beauty of the region, as well as the simple joys of life.
As we sifted through the many submissions, we were struck by the diverse range of perspectives that the photographers brought to the competition. From sweeping landscapes to intimate portraits, from candid shots of people on walks to stunning skies, the images told a variety of stories and captured different moments of joy.
Prize giving ceremony at Loveday & Partners Office
First prize went to local photographer Jordan Eva for his stunning macro shot of a water droplet on candlesnuff fungus. The photo perfectly captured the miniature world of nature, with lovely bold colours and fine details.
The £200 voucher for Cotswold outdoors that made up first prize was kindly sponsored by Loveday and Partners, Financial advisers who also hosted the prize giving ceremony at their offices. Picture below is Raf Bravo – French of Loveday and Partners, presenting Jordon (and son Theo) with his voucher, with Pathmakers trustees, Sarah Abercrombie and Simon Fowler.
Second prize of the book “Walking in Norfolk: 40 Circular Walks in the Broads, Brecks, Fens and Along the Coast” was won by Simon Roberts for his fantastic image of two hares out in a field. It is a wonderful image of wild hares in the golden hour of sunset and really captures the majesty of the animals.
The Norfolk countryside itself was also a major theme of the competition, with many photographers choosing to focus on the region’s stunning natural beauty. From golden fields of wheat to misty marshes and tranquil streams, the photos showcased the many different faces of the Norfolk countryside. Some photographers chose to capture the region’s famous big skies, with stunning sunsets and dramatic cloud formations taking center stage in their images.
In the end, the competition was a celebration of our wonderful county and all that has to offer. It was a reminder that even in a busy and chaotic world, there are moments of peace and happiness to be found in the simple act of taking a walk.
A small selection of some of the best entries to the competition can be viewed on our website gallery:
https://www.pathmakers.org.uk/gallery/
Thank you to Loveday and Partners, Financial advisers for their support, and to all the people who submitted photos for the competition, it was a really tough decision to pick the winner as there were so many impressive images.
