Sheffield photogrpahers snap up top spots in competition

The Don Catchment River Trust launched the competition asking for entrants to submit an image of a river, stream or brook taken within the catchment area.

There were two categories for entrants - a trust volunteer category and a general public category titled Citizen of the Don.

The competition attracted more than 50 entries with the winner and runner up in the Citizen of the Don category were both members of Sheffield Photographic Society.

John Ferretti's The River Don along the Five Weirs Walk image won the first place prize of a wildlife trail camera plus a canvas print of his image.

And John Gorman's River Don Weir at Lady's Bridge earned him the runners-up prize of a canvas print.

Speaking about his entry John Ferretti said: “This image was taken along a section of the walk in the Don Valley, Sheffield.

“I particularly enjoy the reflections of the buildings and trees in the still waters of the river.”

Speaking about his image, John Gorman said: “The River Don weir at Lady's Bridge is in my opinion the iconic shot on the river, with the modern apartments to the left and the Victorian Gilmour Brewery premises to the right, overlooking the river as it passes over the weir, and under Lady's Bridge.

“The mono treatment gives the scene a dramatic effect.”

The trust is a registered charity established to help protect and restore the rivers in the River Don catchment area, including not just the River Don, but also the Rivers Dearne, Rother, Sheaf, Went, Ea Beck and many others.

A Trust spokesman said: “The Trust values these rivers as assets which tell the story of our culture and heritage.

“They are important for people, wildlife and the local economy, and form an integral part of our landscape.”

The Trust’s ambition is to reconnect people, communities and decision makers back to our rivers and their rich natural, cultural, built and industrial heritage.

See dcrt.org.uk