Nicola Cutts
The wildflowers along the water's edge are encouraged by a team of volunteers led by Portia Fincham.
2015 brought us an exceptional collection of entries. Here are the winners and runners up. A number of entrants also very kindly did us a blog, which tells us (some of...) what customers really do. I've put links to them.
Enter the 2016 competition - and maybe win £50! Can you do us a front cover for the brochure (landscape format)?
Back to 2016 results -
See 2014 results -
See 2013 results -
See 2012 results -
See 2011 results.
About the judge
James Laws is a professional
lighting designer, based in Suffolk. He specialises in landscape and
performance photography. He has known Shire Cruisers for many years,
as he is the elder brother of Susan Stevens. One of his pictures is
on the right.
James says:
"The standard of photography was very high this year but two Photographers, Douglas Aberdeen and Jenny and Glynn Sparks, stood out with one outstanding image and a number of very good ones each. And the ultra-wide "cans" picture by Ben Ellis has to have a special award! It is good to see that another 8 photographers have an image in the gallery this year. The diversity, as always, shows the variety of holiday landscapes and activities on your boating holidays. Enjoy the water in 2016!!"
This backlit photo of a private boat shows the magic round every corner.
blog
Another backlit shot, of Bridge 10 at Longbottoms Mills just outside Sowerby Bridge, with Harry, their dog.
James was very taken with this clever picture. There has been much debate about the significance of the unopened beer cans.
The wildflowers along the water's edge are encouraged by a team of volunteers led by Portia Fincham.
A happy picture at Lob Mill Lock. Elizabeth was really taken with the canals of the Calder Valley - see her blog.
blogOn a first boating holiday from Northern Ireland, Gillian's pictures perfectly capture the point of the canals, and include this year's brochure front cover.
blogThe popular mooring in the Urban Splash basin at New Islington, in the centre of Manchester, pictured on a journey round the South Pennine Ring.
Sowerby Long Tunnel (on the Rochdale, 'tunnel' means 'bridge - but this really is a tunnel. Don't know whether 'long' means 'short'...).
These (harmless) cascades are a feature of the Rochdale Canal, but surprisingly difficult to photograph. This captures the moment perfectly.
Finally, another picture from the Sparkses, of the chimney below Stubbing Locks - framed at home.
Come on holiday with us, take your pictures, and send them in. You can also submit a blog.