A student from Newport is in the national final of the Rotary Young Photographer competition.

Russell Tunnecliff, who attends Joyce Frankland Academy, won the local heat for the Intermediate age group of the competition, organised by Rotary in Saffron Walden.

He then won first place in the regional round of the competition organised by Rotary in East Anglia.

The theme of the competition was Wild Nature.

Entrants were permitted to use cameras or mobile phones and submit photos in colour or black and white.

The local heats attracted 138 entries in two age groups. Intermediate was for those age 11 to 13, and Senior was for 14 to 17-year-olds.

Both age group's entries were judged by photographers Roger King and Gary Crompton.

Rotary in Saffron Walden’s Youth Committee chair Richard Luckes said: “We were very pleased with the response to the competition. We had the highest number of entries this year than in any previous year.”

He added: “We are doubly pleased that one of our entrants went on to win the regional final.”

Mr Luckes said he wanted to thank the schools for their support, the judges and all entrants.

The Young Photographer competition is one of several competitions organised by Rotary for young people.


The 2021 local heat results were:

Intermediate age group winners

1 Russell Tunnecliff, 2 Katelin Weekly, 3 Oliver Dyster.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Russell Tunnecliff's entry won first place in the Intermediate sectionRussell Tunnecliff's entry won first place in the Intermediate section (Image: Russell Tunnecliff)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Katelin Weekly came second place in the Intermediate sectionKatelin Weekly came second place in the Intermediate section (Image: Katelin Weekly)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Oliver Dyster's entry won third place in the Intermediate sectionOliver Dyster's entry won third place in the Intermediate section (Image: Oliver Dyster / Rotary in Saffron Walden)

Highly Commended

Highly commended in the Intermediate age group section: Bethan Ward, Emma Cox, Harriet Saunders, Robyn Long and Caris Thompson.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Highly commended in the Intermediate section: Bethan WardHighly commended in the Intermediate section: Bethan Ward (Image: Bethan Ward)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Highly commended in the Intermediate section: Emma CoxHighly commended in the Intermediate section: Emma Cox (Image: Emma Cox)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Highly commended in the Intermediate section: Harriet SaundersHighly commended in the Intermediate section: Harriet Saunders (Image: Harriet Saunders)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Highly commended in the Intermediate section: Robyn LongHighly commended in the Intermediate section: Robyn Long (Image: Robyn Long)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Highly commended in the Intermediate section: Caris ThompsonHighly commended in the Intermediate section: Caris Thompson (Image: Caris Thompson)


Senior age group winners

1 Maria Sellers, 2 Amelia Arikans-Oliver, 3 Aston Whitrod.

Saffron Walden Reporter: Maria Sellers won the Senior section category in the Saffron Walden heatMaria Sellers won the Senior section category in the Saffron Walden heat (Image: Maria Sellers)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Amelia Arikans-Oliver came second place in the Senior sectionAmelia Arikans-Oliver came second place in the Senior section (Image: Amelia Arikans-Oliver)

Saffron Walden Reporter: Amelia Arikans-Oliver was awarded third place in the Senior section competitionAmelia Arikans-Oliver was awarded third place in the Senior section competition (Image: Aston Whitrod)

Highly Commended

High Commended in the Senior age group section: Charlie Berry, William Keen

Saffron Walden Reporter: Charlie Berry's entry was highly commended in the Senior section of the Saffron Walden heatCharlie Berry's entry was highly commended in the Senior section of the Saffron Walden heat (Image: Charlie Berry)

Saffron Walden Reporter: William Keen's entry was highly commended in the Senior sectionWilliam Keen's entry was highly commended in the Senior section (Image: William Keen)