Cheltenham and Weihai 35th anniversary photo competition ‘One planet… many ways to care for our environment’

Calling all amateur photographers!

You are invited to submit photo(s) for this twinning photographic competition on the theme of “One planet… many ways to care for our environment”.

The photographs should highlight a special image of people and the environment, preferably within Cheltenham or the Cotswolds. Entries should capture people’s interactions with nature illustrating images that motivate us to live sustainably.

The competition is being organised by Cheltenham Twinning Association in conjunction with the Cheltenham Camera Club and Weihai City Council in China. It celebrates 35 years of twinning links between Cheltenham and Weihai, as well as the 50th anniversary of ambassadorial diplomatic relations between China and the UK.

Winners will receive a monetary prize. Winning photos will also be displayed both online and offline.

Competition details

The competition opens on Sunday 4 September and closes on Monday 31 October 2022.

Up to 50 images will be selected by a panel of judges in Cheltenham. Weihai will also select 50 images. 

First, second and third prize winners will be chosen from the 50 selected Cheltenham entries.

The prizes are:

  • First prize – £100 cash
  • Second prize – £75 cash
  • Third prize – £50 cash
  • Three ‘Highly Commended’ certificates will also be awarded

The selected images will be displayed on the website of Cheltenham Twinning Association and will be printed for display in Weihai Mass Art Gallery.

How to enter

The competition is open to everyone, with the exception of professional photographers and those organising the competition and judging. Up to two photographs can be entered per participant in either colour or monochrome.

Images should be uploaded onto the entry system: photocomp.uk (opens Sunday 4 September).

You will be asked to provide your name, email and contact phone number.

Image files uploaded must be in JPEG format and should be no larger than 2000 pixels high and 2000 pixels wide. Images larger than this (such as images from a mobile phone) will be resized automatically to fit these dimensions.

Each image must have a title. Titles must be 35 characters or fewer. ‘No title’ or ‘Untitled’ are not allowed.

By submitting a competition entry, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions.

Enter the competition now

Terms and conditions

You can download the terms and conditions or read them below.

  1. THE COMPETITION
    Competition Theme – ‘One Planet… many ways to care for our environment’. The photographs should highlight a special image of people and the environment, preferably within Cheltenham or the Cotswolds. Entries should capture people’s interactions with nature illustrating images that motivate us to live sustainably.
    • 1.1 Weihai City Council is holding a similar competition.
    • 1.2 Up to 50 images will be selected by a panel of judges in Cheltenham. Weihai will also select 50 images. The selected images will be displayed on the website of Cheltenham Twinning Association and will be printed for display in Weihai Mass Art Gallery.
    • 1.3 First, second and third prize winners will be chosen from the 50 selected Cheltenham entries.
    • 1.4 The competition is open to everyone, with the exception of professional photographers (where Photography is the prime occupation) and those organising the competition and judging.
    • 1.5 Up to two photographs can be entered per participant in either colour or monochrome.
    • 1.6 Entries must be genuine photographs and must not have pixels added from an external source. By virtue of submitting a photograph, the entrant certifies the work is his or her own. (Images may not incorporate elements produced by anyone else (for example: clip art, images or art by others downloaded from the Internet).
  2. OPENING AND CLOSING DATES
    • 2.1 The competition will run from Sunday 4 September to Monday 31 October 2022 inclusive.
  3. HOW TO ENTER
    • 3.1 Images should be uploaded onto the entry system: photocomp.uk
    • 3.2 Entrants will be asked to provide their name, email and contact phone number.
    • 3.3 Image files uploaded must be in JPEG format and should be no larger than 2000 pixels high and 2000 pixels wide. Images larger than this (such as images from a mobile phone) will be resized automatically to fit these dimensions.
    • 3.4 Each image must have a title. Titles must be 35 characters or fewer. ‘No title’ or ‘Untitled’ are not allowed.
    • 3.5 By submitting a competition entry, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions.
  4. ELIGIBILITY
    • 4.1 If your photograph features any person or people, they should be aware that they are being photographed and permission should be obtained from all involved (or their parent’s/guardian’s permission if under 18) for their photograph to be submitted in the competition. You must make the person aware that the images will be used for the purposes set out in these terms and conditions. If it is clear that the people are not aware of their picture being taken or are embarrassed in any way by any entry we receive, Cheltenham Borough Council reserves the right to disqualify the entry.
  5. JUDGING
    • 5.1 A panel of 4 judges, including members of Cheltenham Camera Club will select up to 50 images. These images will be judged on how well they meet the theme of “One Planet … many ways to care for our environment’’.
    • 5.2 The first, second and third prize winners will be selected from these 50 images.
    • 5.3 The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
  6. PRIZES
    • 6.1 The Prizes are:
      • First prize – £100 cash
      • Second prize – £75 cash
      • Third prize – £50 cash
    • 6.2 Three ‘Highly Commended’ certificates will also be awarded.
  7. WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
    • 7.1 The images of the selected entries will be displayed from 31 October 2022 on the Cheltenham Twinning Association website and authors will be informed by email.
    • 7.2 First, second and third place winners will be informed by email and announced on the Cheltenham Twinning Association website from 31 October 2022.
    • 7.3 Prizes will be presented by the Mayor of Cheltenham.
  8. POLICIES
    • 8.1 Cheltenham Borough Council reserves the right to remove or refuse any entries to the competition for any reason.
    • 8.2 Should any entries fall below the standard required by the competition organisers and the judges, then the organisers reserve the right not to award prizes.
    • 8.3 These terms and conditions shall be governed by English Law, and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
  9. Copyright and permissions:
    • 9.1 By submitting images to Cheltenham /Weihai 35th Anniversary Photography Competition, each participant confirms that they:
      • Are the sole author of each entry and it is their original work.
      • The photo does not infringe the copyright of a third party.
    • 9.2 By entering the competition Cheltenham Borough Council and Weihai City Council have irrevocable permission to reproduce, enlarge, publish or exhibit, on any media, the images provided, for any purpose connected with Cheltenham Borough Council, Cheltenham Twinning Association and Weihai City Council. This may include but is not limited to inclusion in or reproductions in online or print media which may be produced in the future; displays at exhibitions; displays on websites or social media for promotion; and for use in press releases to be distributed to national, regional, local or specialist press for information or promotion of present or future competitions.
    • 9.3 Cheltenham Borough Council will make every reasonable effort to ensure that name credits of entrants are reproduced on photos published in online and printed publications.
  10. DATA PROTECTION
    • 10.1 The information you provide will be collected and stored by Cheltenham Camera Club on behalf of Cheltenham Borough Council and processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 (‘the Act’). We will only use your information for the purposes of administration of the Competition (including publishing your name and country if you are the winner) and any other purposes which we have advised or the Act allows. We will not use or pass your details on to any third party for direct marketing.
    • 10.2 By entering this competition you agree that Cheltenham Twinning Association may transfer the information you provide to Weihai City Council for the purpose of administering this competition.

Safe water provided for Kisumu schools

A successful fundraising appeal by Cheltenham Twinning Association in conjunction with Cheltenham Rotary Club means two water wells can be rehabilitated in Kisumu, Kenya to provide safe water to two primary schools and their communities. The Chippenham-based WellBoring charity is managing the process including the well installations (https://www.wellboring.org/).

The first well was completed in July 2022 at Kunya Renja Primary School in Kisumu, (total population 581). A second well is set to be rehabilitated at another Kisumu school following the October to December 2022 rainy season.

Pupils fetching water from the rehabilitated well

The Kunya Renja primary school and local community had a well that fell into disrepair in 2018. Since that time, mainly the women and children have had to walk long distances to fetch water from the Nyamasaria stream. This is shared with animals and contains impurities from the local Kibos sugar factory, resulting in water-borne diseases being frequently contracted.

The clean water source at Kunya Renja Primary School will help reduce the water-related stomach diseases rife among pupils, and lead to higher school attendance and performance levels. Hygiene and sanitation standards will also be improved as there will be an abundant source of water for cleaning classrooms. Availability of this water will also help save time during lunch preparations, as cooks will not have to walk all the way to the stream to collect water for cooking.

WellBoring works in partnership with Kisumu school authorities to create a Water Management committee at well locations. At Kunya Renja Primary School, Headteacher, Dominic Awuoth has agreed to head up the committee, to ensure safety, operations and sustainability of the well.

A total of £2,393.75 was raised by Cheltenham Twinning Association via a JustGiving page (£1,940 + £453.75 Gift Aid). The GiftAid is currently in the process of being reclaimed. A further £1,000 was raised by Cheltenham Rotary Club. All monies were donated to the WellBoring Charity.

Cheltenham has had a friendship link with Kisumu since 1985, the third largest city in Kenya. It is hoped connections between Cheltenham and Kisumu can be further developed focusing on the sharing of IT knowledge and expertise.

A Celebration of Cheltenham and Göttingen Storytelling Project

A beautifully illustrated bi-lingual English/German book of short stories was launched on Thursday 21 July 2022 at a reception event attended by delegates from Göttingen and supporters of Cheltenham twinning association.

The inspirational joint collaborative project marks the 70th anniversary of the link between the twin towns of Cheltenham and Göttingen in Germany. The 13 stories are written by William Lewis of Cheltenham, translated by Christiane Christen of Göttingen and illustrated by members of the Göttingen Kreis 34 Art Club.

The book launch was a highlight of the visit of the Mayor of Göttingen, Petra Broistedt, and a delegation from Göttingen – the first exchange visit since 2019.

The Mayors of both towns endorsed the book, with Cheltenham Mayor, Cllr Sandra Holliday, citing it as a ‘Collaborative celebration of our cultures’, and Mayor of Göttingen, Frau Petra Broistedt, saying, ‘A project like this is a symbol of good international understanding’.

The project received financial support from Cheltenham Borough Council’s community fund, Göttingen Town Council, and Cheltenham and Göttingen’s Twinning Associations.

Annette Wight, twinning officer, said: “We were delighted to welcome a delegation from our twin town after a long break due to the pandemic. It was the first visit to Cheltenham for a number of the visitors, and we very much enjoyed showing them what Cheltenham has to offer. 

“We also had discussions to see where we can work together on future twinning projects with topics around the climate emergency, eco exchanges, festivals and refugees all high on the agenda.”

Cllr Diggory Seacome, chair of the Cheltenham Twinning Association, said: “I would like to express our huge thanks to William Lewis, and the team at the Göttingen Art Club for producing such a wonderful book it was wonderful to make copies available to attendees of the celebratory launch event. Cultural exchanges have played a prominent role in this longstanding and successful twinning partnership, and this storytelling collaboration typifies twinning at its best.”

The book, 13 Short Stories by William Lewis, is available for purchase on Amazon in book and e-book formats.

Twinning at its Best

A celebration of the Cheltenham-Gӧttingen storytelling project
On Thursday 21 July 2022 6pm to 8pm
At Chapel Arts Centre, Knapp Road, GL50 3QQ

In the presence of the Mayor of Cheltenham and an Official Delegation from Göttingen,
headed by the Mayor of Göttingen Frau Petra Broistedt

This project highlights joint cultural collaboration and celebrates
the 70th Anniversary of the twinning link

The book of 13 short stories, written by Cheltenham author William Lewis, translated and illustrated by Kreis 34 Art Club members Christiane Christen and Greta Mindermann-Lynen, will be launched.

Please come and celebrate the Best of Twinning with us

No entrance charge but donations welcome on the day.
Drink and nibbles and copy of book available

RSVP to Annette.wight@cheltenham.gov.
by Tuesday 19 July latest

13 Short Stories by William Lewis

Visitors from Stampersgat

The Mayor of Cheltenham and CheltenhamTwinning Association were delighted to welcome a group of 20 visitors from Cheltenham’s Friendship town of Stampersgat from 26-29 May 2022. The visit marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the link and the group were the first overseas visitors post pandemic. The Dutch visitors layed tulips at the war memorial and took part in a short service of remembrance.

The visitors enjoyed a visit to Goucester Quays and The Gloucestershire Regimental Museum, as well as a social evening for visitors and their host families, where the Cheltenham team regained the Boat Race Trophy.

Cheltenham Charity supports Schoolgirls in Kisumu County

Cheltenham based charity Global Footsteps has supported the Aniga Women’s Community Based Organisation in Kisumu since the 1990’s with several initiatives. This year saw the latest one when Benter Ndeda, the CEO of the Aniga Women helped Kenyan girl pupils by successfully delivering sanitary pads to local schools in Kisumu County.

Ethical Giving, a charitable organisation, provided £2,000 that was transferred directly to the Aniga Women to support a “period poverty” project.

The successful provision of sanitary pads has helped girls between the ages of 10 and 17 years old to increase their self-esteem, with improved school attendance and information on menstrual hygiene management and awareness of HIV & AIDS.

In Kenya, there are significant cultural taboos around menstruation, which pose a serious challenge to access to sanitary towels. Many girls in Kenya can miss an average of four days of school every month, due to embarrassment and lack of guidance. This means a high likelihood of falling behind or even dropping out. The dropout rate among female students in primary and secondary schools is already a problem in Kenya.

As well as affecting their education, the girls’ health is also endangered by the absence of support and guidance on menstruation. Problems such as unhygienic ways to dry menstrual materials or dispose of them appropriately are commonplace. Girls also worry about leakage and lack of resources (e.g. soap, clean water). Consequently, many girls grow up in isolation with low self-esteem, afraid of prejudices and negative attitudes.

Global Footsteps was able to transfer funds direct to the Aniga Women CBO and then our contact Benter Ndeda travelled from the rural county of Kisumu to Nairobi to purchase the bulk quantity of sanitary pads needed. Weather and road conditions made the trip challenging but she bought a total of 2,050 pieces of sanitary pads, enough to provide 670 pupils, with three months’ supply each and guidance on their use.

A final health concern is that schools cannot effectively dispose of sanitary pads. They use pit latrines as toilets, which quickly fill up. Ideally schools should use an incinerator to dispose of the pads and reduce the risk of disease. Possibly a future project.