Brecon Beacons image wins photo competition

A stunning panorama of the Western Brecon Beacons has won the summer of beauty photography competition run by HF Holidays and Campaign for National Parks. The competition received hundreds of entries under the theme of ‘summer of beauty’ from across the UK’s National Parks.

Mark Kent’s winning image was taken from Fan Foel, overlooking Picws Du and Llyn y Fan Fach in the Western Brecon Beacons.

Mark said: “I’ve lived in South Wales with my family for just over five years, and am a Salvation Army minister. I fell in love with the Brecon Beacons National Park when I first visited the area shortly after our arrival.

I love to go there whenever I have the opportunity and my timetable allows. My camera always goes with me as I love to capture something of the beauty of creation. It sometimes means a very early start to catch the sunrise!”

Andrew Hall of Campaign for National Parks said: “Beauty means so many different things to people and it’s great to see that reflected in the diversity of entries. As an organisation we work to protect, enhance and celebrate the National Parks and to achieve that we need to inspire people to care for and enjoy them. The work of Mark and others helps us do just that.”

Striking images from Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks were both runners up in the competition. Sue Court’s characterful capture of a highland cow in Dartmoor shows a fun side to the theme.

Sue said: “I’m pleased the judges liked my photo enough to make it a runner-up. I love Highland cattle, usually seen in Scotland, so it was a lovely surprise when we came across them on Dartmoor. They seemed very happy and content.”

Julia Amies Green managed to capture a vivid coastal scene at Wind Hill looking towards Lynmouth, in Exmoor. The judges loved the vivid colours.

Julia said: “The combination of moorland heather, dramatic cliffs and quintessential English harbour where Exmoor meets the sea, is such a stunning and inspirational setting capturing the diverse beauty of the National Park in one view. I regularly sit here and ponder, watching small boats pass by below, chat to walkers strolling by and listen to the gulls soaring above and leave with a spring in my step and a happy heart.”

The competition, which ran through the summer, was sponsored by HF Holidays. Hannah Garcia of HF Holidays said: “We were blown away by the many fantastic entries demonstrating the outstanding beauty of the National Parks.

What’s really brilliant is that these Parks are there for everyone to enjoy and we are proud to support the work of Campaign for National Parks to protect them.”

As the winner, Mark will receive a £250 voucher from HF holidays and his photo will be used for a feature spread in Campaign for National Park’s Viewpoint magazine.