Photo Competitions 2015 - 2016

As IW Scouts Media Development Manager from 2012 to 2021, one of my projects, in 2015 and 2016 was to run a photography competition as part of the Wight Rovers Media Team. Prize winners were give a certificate and a badge and membership and a voucher from our supporters, Wightlink. The copyright of all the photos is with the Wight Rovers Media Team. Here are the winning entries which you may have seen in various IW Scout publicity material.

2015 Wight Rovers Media Team Photo Competition

Adult Scout Section winner: Elaine Sharkey

In August 2015 during the 2015 World Scout Jamboree our contingent visited the Hiroshima Peace Park. The photo shows some of our team reflecting on the devastation caused by the atomic bomb 70 years earlier.

Beaver Section winner: Maddy Reeves from 1st Shanklin

From Maddy’s Beaver leader Vik: At our Beaveree event I showed Maddy how to use the self-timer on the camera and she took the photo herself. It wasn't until I was going through the photos I noticed the 'butter wouldn't melt' expression on her face. The boys had attended a Cub sleep over the night before. Maddy’s mum Marie picked them up early and dragged them to Corf. They nicked our blow up chair and fell asleep. Scout aren't made of tough stuff anymore lol !

Explorer Section Joint First Prize: Moza Ackroyd from Ryde

Scout Group: 2nd Ryde Sea Scouts (Young Leader) & Nelson Explorers (Explorer)
Camera: Nikon D3300
Processing: Adobe Lightroom
'Summer Kayaking'
This was photographed on the water by Seagrove Bay. This was during our summer kayaking session at Scout Camp.

Explorer Section Joint First Prize: Ewan Bramell from Brighstone

This photo was taken whilst I was away at the 23^rd Scout Jamboree in Japan.

It was taken at the closing ceremony where all the 33,000 scouts from 162 countries came together in Wa “Unity” to celebrate an amazing 12 days at the Jamboree. It was a great symbol of all the scouts coming together in peace and shows that all differing races and religions could exist together in harmony.

The photo remind me of three of the most amazing weeks of my life, if it wasn’t from the Scouting movement I would never have gone to Japan and meet up with a great group of Scouts from the Isle of Wight, Hampshire and around the world.

Network Scout section winner: Zack Capon

Group: 5th Ryde beavers
Event: Beaveree
Name: Ellie
Special effects: vintage, with a thick white boarder

Scout Supporter section winner: Amanda Coyle

The floating tent was built by Scouts and parents at 1st Gurnard’s family camp. It was towed around the creek to the jetty where lots of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and parents were having a great afternoon on the water, before the rain set in. The photo shows Cub Scout Sky in the tent. The photo was taken by Amanda Coyle who was sitting on the jetty. Amanda had brought her son along to see what Scouting was all about, he hopes to join a troop soon.

2016 Wight Rovers Media Team Photo Competition

Beaver-Maddy Reeves: “The Camera”

Vik tells us about the photo:

This summer Shanklin Scouts entered a monthly draw held by WightAid for local organisations to be awarded money towards projects they are involved with. We are raising funds for a new water boiler for camp and any money left is going in the Sweden pot. While we were having our picture taken Maddy commented we should take a photo of the chap taking a photo of the scouts and I handed her my phone!

Scout Adam Burt— “Scouting for all”

Mum, Ali tells us about the photo:
Adam's picture was taken at Corf open day back in May. On behalf of WightRover's he was there reporting on the event for the newsletter. Asa, a disabled beaver at 1st Northwood was visiting our site and was really interested in the catapult that our Assistant Cub leader Chill (alias Dave Searle)had built for everyone to enjoy firing! Asa thought it was great fun to fire the small ball in the air, laughing out loud every time he let go of the stick, that he stayed there for a very long time and refused to leave! Adam asked for my camera to capture the moment for his report! What better advertisement for Scouting do you need?

Leader Ali Burt— “Cecil at the Campfire”

The campfire picture was taken at 1st Northwood's re-organised Beaveree camp at our hut in June following the cancellation of the camp at Corf due to weather. How else do you end a busy day of activities at camp then with a good old sing song around the campfire? Our Assistant Cub leader Kaa (alias Tim Scott) kept 27 Beavers and several leaders and helpers entertained around the campfire with a whole range of fun interactive songs. When my son Adam, a scout at the group who was helping us with the camp, specifically asked him if he could do Cecil the caterpillar's story so that he could be the Caterpillar in his sleeping bag, Kaa jumped at the opportunity and I grabbed my phone to capture the moment! They did the story proud and the Beavers thoroughly enjoyed the campfire laughing away! Apparently, it was the best camp ever!

Scout Harry Draper— ”The Tunnel”

Dad Ray Draper tells us about Harry’s photo:

The photo was taken during the West Wight District hike around Yarmouth on 25th September and shows father and cub son bringing up the rear of the group - or just being slow!

Explorer James Cooper—”Raft Wreck”

The photo was taken at County Scout Camp's raft race, I like the photo because the irony of a very calm Scout, amongst the chaos of the raft falling apart presents the courage of a good Scout.

Late Entries —Leader Caroline Seaward—”Wide Awake”

We held our badge presentation ceremony after closing ceremony back on our site at Cub County Camp for the Cubs who had finished various badges & nights away etc by coming to Camp. All the Cubs were wide awake & when we turned around to present our YL (Chil) her badges she was sending up the Zzzzzzzzzzzz's, so I felt it was unfair for her to miss out so I presented them anyway & took the photo opportunity.
Goes to show these teenagers can't stand the pace us oldies set :-)