To help celebrate the #LoveSunderlandHeritage festival we’re running a photography competition on the theme of natural heritage!
The heritage of a place isn’t just it’s old buildings and artefacts in museums – it’s also the plants, animals and the whole natural world that surrounds us. Sunderland has a wealth of natural assets, including sites of special scientific interest, 5 nature reserves and over 80 wildlife hotspots
We want you to send us your images of Sunderland’s wonderful natural heritage. It could be the ducklings in Mowbray Park, the rocks in Roker Pier or the orchids found in the Tunstall Hills. Why not get some inspiration in our current Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition (until 1 June), or come along to the family-friendly Mowbray Park Community Garden event for #LoveSunderlandHeritage on 29 May to learn more about our local plants and spot some local wildlife.
Your photos will be judged by the wildlife and conservation specialists of the Washington Wetland Centre and by members of the Washington Village in Bloom group, who this year, for the 60th anniversary of Britain in Bloom, are representing the whole of the Northumberland region. The judges above all are looking for images that capture the wonder of the natural world and especially those that clearly celebrate the local natural heritage of Sunderland.
Prizes
First prize is a Family day pass to Washington Wetland Centre (worth over £30) and a £50 gift voucher for use in any Sunderland Culture venue, including Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Arts Centre Washington or National Glass Centre.
Second prize is a Family day pass to Washington Wetland Centre plus a £25 gift voucher for Sunderland Culture venues.
The winning images will be announced across Sunderland Culture’s social media channels. There will also be a display of winning images in the visitor centre of Washington Wetland Centre in the lead up to the Washington 60 celebrations later in July.
How to enter:
Post your photos to Facebook and Instagram, with one or two lines caption information saying where the image is taken and using both hashtags #LoveSunderlandHeritage and #SunderlandNature. Alternatively email entries to info@old.sunderlandculture.org.uk with the subject line ‘#SunderlandNature’.
Terms and Conditions
The competition is open to amateur photographers of all ages. Photos must be your own and not previously published and please be considerate and careful when taking pictures of wildlife.
The competition runs until 12 noon on 14 June 2024.
The winning photographs will be selected and notified on 1 July 2024.
Submitted photographs may be reposted on Sunderland Culture and Visit Sunderland social media channels before the end of the competition for promotional purposes.
