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Four fluffy goslings make debut in Royal Parks’ spring photography competition

The winning entries of the Royal Parks’ spring photography competition have been announced.  

The winners included a row of four goslings under the protective wing of their parent, a swan taking flight and a common blue butterfly pictured in the spring sunshine. 

‘Flying Free’ – Matthew Hill – age 13 / The Royal Parks

The photography competition marks the launch of the charity’s new digital campaign called ‘Creating Spaces for Life’.

Royal Parks communications director Ali Jeremy said: “Thank you to everyone who sent in their favourite shots, we’re looking forward to sharing these wonderful images so that they can be enjoyed by everyone.”

‘Walking on Water’ – Edwin De A Godinho – aged 55 / The Royal Parks

Jeremy spoke about how he was inspired by the hundreds of entries they received. 

He explained it was difficult to narrow all the photos down to the winners of the three different age groups, with winning entries received from photographers aged 7-60.

‘New Life!’ – David Hunter – age 15 / The Royal Parks

The charity, which cares for London’s eight historic Royal Parks, launched the competition on April 4, 2024, inviting visitors to photograph the new life emerging in any of the parks during the springtime.

The competition entailed three categories for different age ranges: junior aged 15 and under, young adult aged 16 to 25, and adult for entrants aged 26 and over. 

Visva Moorthy – ‘Duck and Cover’ – aged 24 / The Royal Parks

The campaign aims to raise awareness that the Royal Parks is a charity by highlighting the range of work that goes on behind the scenes to care for London’s historic green spaces.  

*Full list of winning entries*

People were invited to enter in the following three categories:

Junior: For entrants who are aged 15 and under
First: Flying Free, Matthew Hill, 13
Second: New Life, David Hunter, 15
Third: The Large Blue Butterfly, Ace Sommerfeld, 15
Highly commended: Tree of Wonder, Harrison Cox, 7

Young Adult: For entrants who are aged 16 to 25
First: Robin – wild and free, Ellee Golding-Walker
Second: Order-nary Growth, Yan Lam Eliam Lau
Third: A new beginning, Aarna Adarkar
Highly commended: Duck and cover, Visva Moorthy

Adult: For entrants who are aged 26 and over
First: Walking on water, Edwin De A Gohinho
Second: Fox or Pointer, Lee Tilley
Third: Space for Nettles and the Bugs that Love Them, Rebecca Harvey
Highly Commended: Afternoon Stroll, Anna Matczuk
Highly Commended: Star, Nicholas Kemp

Prizes have been awarded for the top three winners of each category:
First Prize: A pair of BST Hyde Park tickets. (For the under 15s category the prize is four tickets).
Second Prize: Up to four tickets for a boating session.
Third Prize: A pair of tickets to a walking tour.

Featured image: Order-nary Growth, Yan Lam Eliam Lau / The Royal Parks

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