Today (18 December 2020), the winners of the Lanark Young People’s Photo Challenge gathered for a presentation of their certificates and prize vouchers, kindly provided by Border Biscuits Community Fund.

To capture the views of local young people, Pupils from P5 to S6 were asked to share a photograph of a view that was special to them and up to 200 words explaining why they had chosen it and what could make it better. Entries were organised into three categories: Primary 5-7, Secondary 1-3 and Secondary 4-6, and a prize was allocated to the winner and runner up in each category.

46 entries were received across all Primary Schools in Lanark (Lanark Primary, St Mary’s, Robert Owen, New Lanark and Kirkfieldbank), Lanark Grammar School and Stanmore House School.

As with the main Lanark Vision Public Consultation, the over-riding sense is that the young people of Lanark like living in their town and feel it has a lot of potential, with its history and special natural places, but some areas are a little run down, or under-valued, and could be improved for all who live here. There were some really insightful comments and good improvement suggestions as well as possible solutions to problems, such as littering, which appears to be a large concern for many.

The results of the Challenge are as follows:

Category 1 (P5 – P7)

• Joint winners: Lara McCauley (St Mary’s) and Heidi McFerran (Robert Owen)
• Runner up: Rose MacDonald (Robert Owen)

Category 2 (S1 – S3)

• Winner: Reilly Thomson (Lanark Grammar School)
• Runner up: Carla Tait (Lanark Grammar School)

Category 3 (S4 – S6)

• Winner: Connor Fallon (Lanark Grammar School)
• Runner up: Jay Parker (Lanark Grammar School)

Special Commendations were awarded by the judges to entries worthy of special mention:

• ‘Outstanding Photograph’ – Sophie Dobb (Lanark Grammar School)
• ‘Best written submission’ – Ailsa West (Lanark Grammar School)
• ‘Most Inclusive Idea’ – Orange Class (Stanmore House School)
• ‘Mental Health Message’ – Kyle Stanfield (Stanmore House School). Kyle’s timely message which caught the attention of the judges was, “Bridges are good because they join things together, which is hard just now, but will get better soon.”

The Lanark Vision Partnership includes Lanark Community Development Trust, Discover Lanark for Business, New Lanark Trust and Falls of Clyde – Scottish Wildlife Trust.

Banners showcasing the challenge entries will be displayed around Lanark, New Lanark and the Falls of Clyde from the New Year onwards. The Lanark Vision Partnership will be reviewing ideas and suggestions for improvement put forward within the entries and liaising with local organisations to discuss the potential for future projects to improve the local area.

A full album of the winning entries is available on the Lanark Community Development Trust Facebook Page

Further information is available at www.lanarktrust.co.uk