ASHTON Gardens is awash with beautiful pictures thanks to a competition involving a group of photography students.
Snappers from Blackpool and The Fylde College were asked to submit their best works to create a temporary gallery and brighten up the construction sight around Ashton Gardens’ new pavilion.
The theme was “parks for people” and the designs are now
on display.
Reva Hodgkinson, 19, from Palatine Road, scooped the top prize for her image, taken in Stanley Park.
Speaking on her inspiration for the winning image, she said: “It was a really lovely day – for a change – and the picture just happened.”
Sharks
The competition was a somewhat removed from her ultimate ambition in photography though.
“I want to photograph sharks,” she said.
“It’s a bit different to this but I’ve liked them since I was young!”
Conservation specialists Maysand is carrying out a £2m regeneration of Ashton Gardens, funded by a Big Lottery Fund Heritage Grant.
It will include a restoration of the war memorial and the rebuilding of the historic Ashton Institute.
And Tony Garner, who manages public relations for the firm, came up with the idea to brighten up the site.
He got in touch with college lecturer David Dennison and the project developed from there.
“It’s not often the students are given such opportunities to showcase their talent,” Mr Dennison said.
“It’s great they have been able to be part of such a big project.”
Around 170 “brilliant,” entries were submitted which were whittled down to 14.
Marton Moss resident, Graham Olley, a 50-year-old student who had four entries which made the top 16, said: “I was looking for something which shows how man interacts with nature in the park.
“I tried to look at stuff from a nature point of view and I think my pictures represent how we use parks and interact with nature.”
Bryn Lisle, managing director of Maysand, added: “We are really impressed with the standard of work the students have produced – there are some excellent images which really portray the beauty of our local parks.
“Not only is this a great chance to celebrate the artistic talent locally, but it also gives people the opportunity to enjoy the park whilst the regeneration work is being carried out.”
