Young Photographer 2015

Thanks to the sterling efforts of Club member and new Youth Services Chairman James Ilesley, the Rotary Club of Billericay launched its first Young Photographer competition involving local schools, at the end of 2014.

15 Students from Billericay School, Mayflower School and St. John's School in Billericay, plus some Wickford Schools, participated in the competition with the theme of "Lighting up the Community".

The competition opened on 31st August 2014 and closed just before Christmas.

The Prizes were as follows:

• First prize of a half day in a real commercial Photographic Studio, donated by "Photographic Assignments" (http://www.photographicassignments.co.uk/ )
• Second prize of 50 worth of Photographic Filters, donated by Ilesley Photographic (http://ilesleyphotographic.com/)
• Third prize of a 20 Voucher for printing, donated by the Klix Photographic Kodak Express Shop in Billericay High Street.

The judging has now been completed and First Place went to 17 year old Joe Neild.  In second place was 15 year old Josh Willetts, and in third place was 15 year old Luke Becalik.  All the winners were from Billericay School.

The prizes and certificates were presented to the winners in a special ceremony at our club meeting on January 26th., 2015, by club president Mike Ginn in the presence of Assistant District Governor Nick Sillitoe.  Josh and Luke were there to receive their awards but Joe was unfortunately ill, and his award was accepted on his behalf by his teacher, Mr Ian Coleman., who also accepted the runners up certificates.

Next Step was the District Finals.  Joe Neild recently participated in the District Finals of the competition and came away as winner of the senior category. Next step is the National Finals in May. Well done Joe!
And well done James Ilesley for organizing the club competition which brought this young talent to our notice.