Cobalt’s Capture a Moment Winners Calendar

Cheltenham-based medical charity Cobalt reveal the winners of their Capture a Moment photography competition to feature in their 2023 calendar

The thirteen winning entries will be transformed into a calendar. The framed winning images will also be on display at the charity’s headquarters in an exhibition where you can also purchase a copy of the calendar.

Each year Cobalt run an open photography competition for all ages and abilities, entrants are asked to enter their best photo with a £2 donation.  This year they received over 350 entries of truly fantastic images. The task of judging was undertaken by Karen Hackling-Searle (Cobalt’s Head of MRI and a keen amateur photographer) who was joined by two professional photographers, Sally Ryde and Kevin Pascoe.

First prize was awarded to Terry Wall – “Wildebeest – Mara River” the image was taken on safari in Kenya from a Land Rover after a sharp handbrake turn by the driver.

A stunning Kingfisher shot took second prize.  ‘Lunch is delivered’ by Huw Jones was one of 8,000 images Huw took to capture the perfect shot.

Third prize went to went to Linda Kirkhope with her beautiful ‘Inner Spiral’. Linda’s photo is of the Tulip Stairs, at Queens House, Greenwich, a self-supporting staircase designed by Architect Inigo Jones.

The under 16 winner was awarded to Kitty Jacobs for her atmospheric image ‘The light creeps in’ which highly impressed all the judges.

Kitty said of her inspiration: ‘I took the photo in Portugal when we went sea kayaking. We entered through a small passage to the cave and looking back out to sea the light was amazing. The cave was full of natural beauty- the colours of the rock, the sea and the sand complimented each other so well. The kayaks felt so out of place in such an untouched location. I wanted to frame the light with the kayaks to capture the beauty of the moment.’

Below is Megan Willsher. She looks after 35 young people across the counties of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Kirsty Bradbury, Fundraising Engagement Officer for Cobalt said: “We’re extremely excited about the 2023 calendar. The judges had a difficult time choosing between so many amazing photos.

“The winning images are truly stunning, and the money raised will be used to fund Cobalt’s Teenage and Young Adults with Cancer Specialist Nurse to ensure that the vital support they provide continues. The calendars will be on sale in September and will make wonderful Christmas gifts.”

For more information on how to purchase a calendar, see Cobalt’s website.