Winning photos capture top Northumberland views during lockdown

Amateur photographers from across Northumberland submitted dozens of photographs of evocative everyday scenes as part of a ‘View from the Doorstep’ competition held by CPRE, the countryside charity.
By Paul Larkin
Published 8th May 2021, 15:52 BST
Alnwick Moor, by Janice Eckersly, winner of the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.Alnwick Moor, by Janice Eckersly, winner of the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.
Alnwick Moor, by Janice Eckersly, winner of the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.

And organisers say the images underline the uplifting impact the county’s beautiful environment had on residents.

Annie Lloyd, co-ordinator of the Northumberland branch of CPRE (formerly the Campaign to Protect Rural England), said: “It might seem unusual to hold a photographic competition during lockdown but our brief to entrants was that they should take pictures from their doorsteps or close by.

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”We were thrilled with the number and quality of entries and it just brought home how much the beauties of nature are literally on the doorsteps of so many in Northumberland.”

Derek Taylor's Sunset at Morpeth Stepping Stones, runner-up in the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.Derek Taylor's Sunset at Morpeth Stepping Stones, runner-up in the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.
Derek Taylor's Sunset at Morpeth Stepping Stones, runner-up in the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.

First prize in the competition went to Janice Eckersly, whose timeless shot entitled ‘Alnwick Moor’, was hailed by one judge as “capturing a classic Northumberland view perfectly and although the landscape is devoid of human figures, the public seat reminds us the natural beauties of the county are there to be enjoyed”.

Congratulations also went to Derek Taylor in second place, with ‘Sunset, Morpeth stepping stones’, and in third place was Claire Johnson in third place with ‘Spittal Sunset’, in the very north of the county.

Judging the competition were Annie of CPRE Northumberland, writer and gardener Susie White, Northumberland photographer Alasdair Mackenzie-King and journalist Graeme Anderson.

All three winners received cash prizes.

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Claire Johnson's Spittal Sunset, which took third place in the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.Claire Johnson's Spittal Sunset, which took third place in the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.
Claire Johnson's Spittal Sunset, which took third place in the CPRE's View from the Doorstep photographic competition.

Colin Adsley, chair of CPRE Northumberland, said: “Our charity campaigns for a thriving countryside, accessible to all, and the photographs we received showed that you don’t have to go to a National Park or an AONB to witness the beauty of nature – you can see it from your doorstep or just a short distance away.

“One thing that the experience of the pandemic has undoubtedly brought home to so many is the value of green spaces to our mental health and well-being and our competition celebrates that fact.

“There’s a rebirth of interest in the countryside that we want to capitalise on to make sure that it is prioritised and protected for future generations.”

* If you would be interested in joining CPRE Northumberland, you can contact Annie on [email protected]

Related topics:CPRENorthumberlandDoorstep