Originally designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1964, the Forest of Bowland National Landscape celebrates 60 years next year, and as part of this celebration, the team encouraged residents and visitors during October and November to share their very own "diamond" memories in photo form.
From far-reaching moorland vistas and stunning wildlife shots to majestic woodlands and atmospheric pastoral scenes, the talented photographers have perfectly captured the variety and beauty of the Bowland landscape.
A special thank you to our photo competition judge - Mark Harder from mlharderphoto.com. Following the judging, Mark said: 'It was very difficult to choose as they were all so good. I deliberated much, but I had in my head “What’s quintessential Forest of Bowland?” And I was drawn to the quality of the landscapes. As I drive around and explore Bowland often, I’ve recognised some of the locations and can relate to the images, they have truly captured what I consider to be the Forest of Bowland. The quality of the shortlist was superb!'.
Local businesses have been generous in prize donations for the final six competition winners. These include:
- 1st Prize was won by Stephen Adair with 'One of the Best Views in the Forest of Bowland' winning a 2-night stay at Laythams Hayloft kindly donated by Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat
- 2nd Prize was won by Ryan Pentall with 'Rural Resilience' winning a 9 Course tasting menu in a 3 AA rosette restaurant for two people with a house bottle of wine kindly donated by The Traddock, Austwick
- 3rd Prize was won by Andrew Cowell with 'Pendle Hill from Twiston Moor in the snow' winning a £50 voucher kindly donated by the Parkers Arms, Newton in Bowland
4th Prize was won by Bradley Hamer with 'Golden Light Badger' winning a family day pass kindly donated by Bowland Wild Boar Park- 5th Prize was won by Sue Lowe with 'Autumn Magic, Grizedale Valley' winning a Bowland local produce hamper
- 6th Prize was won by John Eveson with 'Walkers at the River Hodder at Whitewell' winning A 'Thoughts from a Tree' t-shirt kindly donated by Bowland Fitness
The 25 shortlisted images will feature in print in the new, official Discover Bowland 2024 guide and to mark the anniversary of this very special area, Clitheroe Castle Museum will host the launch of a brand-new photography exhibition, featuring around 30 of the photographs. The exhibition will launch on 9th February at Clitheroe Castle and will then go on to tour selected venues across Bowland during 2024.
