Charity

Welsh teen wins photography competition with ‘perfect puffin pic’

Published

1 month ago

December 19, 2024

A STRIKING image of a puffin on Skomer Island in west Wales has been hailed the winner of this year’s prestigious RSPCA Young Photographer Awards – a year which saw the charity mark its historic 200th anniversary.

The winning entry was from Anwen Whitehead, 15, from Cnwch Coch in Aberystwyth, and announced at a ceremony at the Tower of London held today (Thursday 19 December) – a special and historic event which also celebrates the RSPCA’s milestone anniversary.

Every year, the RSPCA Young Photographer Awards invites young people aged 18 years and under to capture the animal kingdom on a camera or a mobile device. This supports the RSPCA’s mission of inspiring everyone to create a better world for every animal.

The judges praised the emotion and composition of Anwen’s Puffin photograph ‘Daydreaming in the Chamomiles’, marvelling at how tough it is to photograph puffins and remarking on the beautiful, diffused background.

Winner Anwen from West Wales said: “It’s very surreal and amazing to have won. I think this will really encourage me to keep going and push to make this a career. I was amazed at being shortlisted as a finalist so to win makes me determined to keep going and keep improving. I’ve won a few local competitions but nothing on this scale!”

Having only started taking photographs as a serious hobby last year, Anwen explained that the puffin photo which was snapped on a long anticipated visit to Pembrokeshire’s famous Skomer Island was one of her favourite photographs.

Anwen explained that she can quite happily spend 10 hours in a bird hide, or out in a field in camouflage gear at sunrise to get the perfect photo.

She said: “That’s my happy place. It’s very relaxing to be out in nature and away from screens. It allows me to slow down a little bit. It can take a long time but it’s always worth it in the end and the buzz afterwards lasts all day or all week!

“I’ve always had a love of animals. We live in rural Wales so I’m surrounded by animals and nature. I think it’s really important to try and help protect nature through photography by showing both the magic and the fragility of nature to help make people realise how special nature really is. I see wildlife photography as a tool for conservation by helping to spread the word.”

Remarkably, a number of photos submitted by Anwen were recognised this year. As well as being overall winner, Anwen’s puffin photo also won the 12-15 category; while her red squirrel image ‘Sergeant Squirrel reporting for duty’ was commended in the same category. Another red squirrel image ‘Peckish’ was commended in the 12-15 mobile category and her swallows image placed runner-up in the City Life section. Finally, her ‘Puffin Paradise’ collection came runner-up in the Portfolio category meaning Anwen had a whopping seven images shortlisted in the final.

All entries are judged entirely anonymously, and separately from one another, which makes Anwen’s multiple successes this year even more staggering.

To mark the charity’s 200th birthday, the RSPCA added two new categories – ‘Better World’ which imagines what a better world for animals looks like, and ‘City Life’ – which highlights how animals are all around us and shows how we can live harmoniously together.

Chris Packham, TV presenter, RSPCA President and supporter of the awards since its inception over 30 years ago, said: “As ever, this is a wonderful portfolio of work. This competition always attracts very strong entries and my special congratulations goes to all the winners and of course, especially, to the overall winner.”

Chris, who couldn’t attend the ceremony in person but recorded a special video message for the winners, added: “Photography is a great way of communicating your love for, your passion for, your fascination for, and your concern for animals. I think it’s really important that we use that as a tool at this particular time when a lot of animals are in trouble. Being able to use your imagination, creativity and ingenuity to come up with something personally unique and powerful is a very important tool.”

This year’s awards were judged by a panel of photography experts, including wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby; former competition winner-turned-professional photographer Catriona Parfitt; professional wildlife photographer and photographic guide Ellie Rothnie; and RSPCA photographers Andrew Forsyth and Emma Jacobs. And for the first time this year – Fabian Rivers, known as the ‘Dready Vet’, an exotic animal and wildlife vet and RSPCA ambassador who appears on CBBC’s The Pets Factor.

Fabian said: “It’s a great honour to be involved in the inspiring RSPCA Young Photographer Awards this year. The calibre of entries has been staggering. Anwen’s puffin image is technically great, it’s sharp and evokes such lovely emotions. There’s a real story behind it and it was a clear winner for me.”

Other prize winners included last year’s talented overall winner Jamie Smart, aged nine, from Powys, Mid Wales, who won Pet Portraits with an image of her cat titled ‘Not Impressed’, and ‘Ready for Bed’ which features an owl won the Better World category, followed by her kingfisher image ‘City Fisher’ which won City Life. She also secured the top spot in the Under 12s category with ‘Rise of the Gannet’, and placed runner-up or commended with a further four images.

Other winners included;

Austin Lake, 13, from Devon, won Pet Personalities with his black and white photo of his cat,
Chris Wardell, 18, from Wiltshire, won Small World with his silhouetted spider, and the Portfolio category with a selection of back-lit fox photos,
Arlo Rautenbach, age 10 from Cornwall, won the Under 12 category with his photo of a slow worm,
Nathaniel Gingell, age 14 from Hampshire, won the 12-15 mobile category with a photo of a group of dogs,
Daisy Pipe, age 16 from Dorset, won the 16-18 mobile category with her tomato wasp image,
Anton Poon, 17, from Buckinghamshire, won the 16-18 category with an image of a robin

Sponsors of the competition are Natures Images (wildlife photography holidays) and Camtraptions (camera traps for wildlife photography). Winners in each category were awarded trophies and a selection of prizes at the Tower of London ceremony and as the Overall Winner, Anwen Whitehead received a weekend photography break with Natures Images. This fabulous prize- the Deer Rut Special – includes two nights’ accommodation for the winner and a parent/guardian.

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards 2025 opens for entries on 6 May.

The full gallery of all the winning images can be viewed here.

Charity

Child of Wales Awards unveils headline sponsor and opens nominations

Published

1 day ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ON the heels of a hugely successful event in Swansea in 2024, the Child of Wales Awards has announced its new headline sponsor and the official opening of nominations for its 2025 event, set for January 25, 2025.

Pembrokeshire-based Ascona Group, one of the UK’s fastest-growing forecourt operators, has entered into a year-long partnership with the awards. This partnership culminates in the annual ceremony that celebrates the achievements and resilience of Wales’ young people while raising funds for children’s charities across the nation.

A community-focused partnership
With a network of 62 sites across the UK, Ascona Group serves more than 300,000 customers weekly and employs over 850 people. Recognized as one of the top 10 independent forecourt operators in the UK, the company has a strong commitment to supporting local communities.

Darren Briggs, CEO and Founder of Ascona Group, said: “We are thrilled to be the headline sponsor of the 2025 Child of Wales Awards. It’s a privilege to support an event that celebrates the remarkable achievements of young individuals and their families across Wales. The awards shine a light on inspirational stories of courage and determination, and we are proud to play a part in recognizing these incredible children. At Ascona Group, our communities are at the heart of everything we do, and supporting the Child of Wales Awards is a huge honor.”

Recognising extraordinary achievements
Now in its fourth year, the Child of Wales Awards will once again honor the remarkable accomplishments of young people across the nation. The event promises to be an emotional and inspirational evening, attracting media personalities, celebrities, sports stars, and entertainers to the Swansea Arena.

The awards feature 11 categories celebrating personal courage, sporting and creative achievements, environmental activism, community service, and fundraising efforts. Nominations are open to children under 18 based in Wales, and submissions are free. Eligible nominees include those who have overcome illnesses, disabilities, bullying, or discrimination, or who have excelled in sports or the arts despite significant challenges.

How to get involved
Nominations can be submitted via the Child of Wales Awards website, where full details of the categories are available. A panel of judges, comprising representatives from award sponsors, celebrities, and independent advisors, will have the tough task of selecting the winners.

Businesses across Wales continue to lend their support to the awards. Alongside Ascona Group, other sponsors include Blue Tiger Marketing, Mrs Bucket, Swansea Building Society, Trade Centre Wales, Gower College, Castell Howell, Princes Gate, Westacres, and Team Wales. Opportunities remain for businesses to sponsor categories, purchase tables, or donate auction prizes to support the event.

Founder Blanche Sainsbury expressed her excitement about the 2025 awards, saying:
“After the success of the 2024 event, we are thrilled to partner with Ascona Group and open nominations for the Child of Wales Awards 2025. These awards highlight an extraordinary group of young people who inspire those around them with their courage and determination. We’re excited to return to Swansea Arena and look forward to announcing the incredible performers who will join us in celebrating these young stars. We invite businesses to get involved and join us in honoring the real heroes of Wales – these amazing children.”

To sponsor the event, book a table, or donate an auction prize, contact Blanche Sainsbury at [email protected].

The Child of Wales Awards 2025 promises to be a night to remember, celebrating the resilience, determination, and compassion of Wales’ most inspiring young people.

Charity

Women take on Three Peaks Challenge to support mental health services

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TEN inspirational women are set to tackle the iconic National Three Peaks Challenge on June 7, 2025, to raise vital funds for PATH – Pembrokeshire Action for the Homeless.

Motivated by the support they received through free counselling provided by Pathway Counselling, these women are embarking on this ambitious challenge to help fund mental health services offered by the charity.

The gruelling challenge, organised by Lucy Brazier with the support of Aspire Fitness and Charlotte Neill, will see the group climb the three highest peaks in the UK – Ben Nevis in Scotland (1,345m), Scafell Pike in England (978m), and Snowdon in Wales (1,085m) – all within a 24-hour timeframe. In total, the event involves 23 miles of walking and 450 miles of driving between the mountains.

Lucy Brazier, the organiser, expressed the group’s determination to succeed in this challenge, stating: “We are doing this to give back to the services that helped us through difficult times. Mental health support is crucial, and we hope our efforts will make a difference to others who need help.”

The challenge is not just a test of physical endurance but also a significant fundraising effort. Donations can be made through the group’s JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/nationalthreepeaks.

PATH has been instrumental in supporting individuals struggling with homelessness and mental health issues across Pembrokeshire. The funds raised will ensure the continuation of essential services that positively impact lives.

The team is calling on the community to rally behind them and support their mission. Every donation, no matter how small, will help them reach their goal and make a difference.

For more updates on the challenge and to show your support, visit the JustGiving page and follow PATH’s social media channels.

Charity

Two shouts and nine hours at sea for Angle RNLI

Published

5 days ago

January 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ANGLE All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch at 9:15pm on Wednesday night, 15th of January to assist a 25 meter commercial landing craft with 8 persons onboard taking water in St Brides Bay. The vessel was under tow from a tug following a grounding and salvage operation.

St David’s All-Weather Lifeboat were on scene with their salvage pump having already been transferred onboard, and Little Haven Inshore Lifeboat had also attended during the evening.

Angle Lifeboat made best speed to the area and arrived on scene 30 minutes later and soon had their salvage pump transferred onto the casualty vessel to assist with keeping the water ingress at bay.

Both lifeboats began to escort the tow but whilst west of Skomer Island, however a change of plan, and in light of the vessel still taking water a plan was made to alter course and proceed to Broad Haven Beach with a view to beach the vessel to prevent it sinking.

The lifeboats then spent the next few hours escorting the tow and providing safety cover. Upon arrival off Broad Haven, and with the tidal state not right to beach the vessel the lifeboats stood by whilst pumping efforts continued.

At 3:15am, with the situation now improving, St David’s Lifeboat was released and returned fo station. Not long after at 4am, with the water ingress now under control, Angle Lifeboat was subsequently stood down after the master confirmed he was content with the vessels condition.

Just over 3 hours before, at 5:30pm the crew were paged to assist a 10 meter pleasure vessel that had suffered electrical failure off the VPOT oil terminal on the Milford Haven waterway.

As the crew were already at station preparing to launch on exercise, the crew were soon underway and with the casualty vessel not long after.