Published Tuesday 19 January 2021 at 17:05
Blackburn with Darwen Council have teamed-up to support Blackburn Scout’s new photography competition, giving BwD residents the chance to show the sights of the borough ‘through your own eyes’.
‘Beautiful Blackburn with Darwen’ contest is open to the whole community as well as local Scouts, with well-known local judges, including BwD Council Director Sayyed Osman, signed up to choose a winner with an eye for spotting the everyday extraordinary.
Blackburn with Darwen’s Executive Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Damian Talbot said: “What a fantastic way to start the New Year, sharing pictures from our beautiful borough while getting out and about for daily covid-safe exercise. If you need help finding a new route to walk or cycle near your home, try the free Explore BwD app.”
Useful links: Explore BwD App Walking | re:fresh (refreshbwd.com) East Lancs Cycling App Cycling | re:fresh (refreshbwd.com)
Judges include: Local comedian Tez Ilyas, famous for The Tez O’Clock Show and Man Like Mobeen; Local photographer Shafiq Khan; Blackburn Rovers striker Sam Gallagher; Blackburn MP Kate Hollern; Director of BwD Council Sayyed Osman. The judges will be looking for pictures that best show off the town’s beauty, with a prize for the winner of each of the contest’s two categories. The prize for the over 18 winner is a Media Match Day Experience at Blackburn Rovers, donated by the football club. The prize for the Under 18 is an adventure experience for 10 people donated by Canalside Activity Centre, Blackburn.
Blackburn Scouts chairman Stuart Parker said: “We’re delighted to launch the Beautiful Blackburn with Darwen photo competition. We hope people right across our community will enter images of the beauty of the borough, as seen through their eyes. We would like to thank our brilliant judges who are real advocates for BwD, and our sponsors for their support.”
Blackburn with Darwen’s Director Sayyed Osman and contest judge said: “We have and continue to face challenges. In all of this our communities are kind, our people are generous, and our places full of beauty and interest. This is why I love Blackburn with Darwen. It’s great to be asked to be a judge for this competition. I’m anticipating it’s going to capture the beautiful spirit of the place and our people.”
Photographs must be taken between 1st January and 31st March 2021 and two categories are open for entries – under 18s and over 18s. A maximum of 3 entries are allowed per person. Abide by current covid-safety restrictions while out snapping. Pictures can be of landscape, buildings and/ or people. Keep up to date with the competition on social media by following Blackburn Scouts accounts on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and #BeautifulBwD.
Please submit all entries to blackburnscouts@gmail.com with your name, age, with date and location of your photograph.
Councillor Mustafa Desai, who runs a local walking group called Take a Hike, has also pledged to support the campaign.
The competition closes on 31st March 2021 with judging taking place in April 2021. Please note that all images entered will be shared on social media.