THREE budding local photographers have proved themselves hot shots, coming top in a Tamar Valley photographic competition. The winners, Lizzie Tulloch from Calstock, Alex Over from Stoke, Plymouth, and Keith Palmer from Bere Alston, were announced by the Tamar Valley Tourism Association (TAVATA) last week. The winning photos, under the theme Buildings and Structures of the Tamar Valley, will appear in the TAVATA 2006 calendar. Lizzie, aged 10, from Calstock Primary School, won the under 12s category, fighting off fierce competition from a high level of entries. It was a hat-trick for Alex Over, 17, who has won the 12 to 18s category for the last two years running. Alex, who is now studying art and photography, secured first prize with his picture of the roof in the great hall at Cotehele House. Keith Palmer, who works for West Devon Borough Council?s planning department, won the over 18s category with his photo of Calstock Viaduct. Entrant Sam Kirby was also highly commended for his photograph of the South Mine stack on Kit Hill. Judging the competition, Richard Spreadborough, a photographer involved in the Images of England Project ? producing pictures of listed buildings for the English Heritage national archive ? said he was greatly impressed with the level of entries. ?I grew up in the Tamar Valley and it is good to see so many excellent photographs, it was a hard choice to make,? he said. Brian Howlett of TAVATA, responsible for organising the competition, said the response had been very good this year. ?This is the third year that we have run this competition and it?s great to see what inspires local artists. ?The Tamar Valley has such a wealth of heritage, unusual structures and beautiful countryside and it?s fantastic to be able to give visitors and locals a snapshot of what?s on offer through our calendar.? Prizes were as follows: Under 12s category, a family ticket for a trip on the Launceston Steam Railway; 12-18s, an evening of croquet at Cotehele House; Over 18s, a cream tea and tour of the Tamar Belle Railway Heritage site. An exhibition of some of the best photographs from the competition will be on display around the Tamar Valley in September, at venues to be announced.
