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Today, ‘Postcards from the Park’, the UK-wide photography competition celebrating what we love most about our local parks, opens at Birkenhead Park.

 Judged by the Wirral’s very own celebrated photographer, Mike McCartney, this stunning set of photos includes the North West winner, Colin Fletcher from Liverpool’s fabulous photo of Sefton Park, along with 23 other UK winners and runners-up.

 Celebrating our parks

‘Postcards from the Park’ was launched by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and Big Lottery Fund (BIG), in partnership with parks charity, GreenSpace. The competition encouraged hundreds of people across the UK to capture what they love about their local park.  

 Photo exhibition launch

The exhibition was on display at London’s Mile End Park Arts Pavilion in September and will be at Birkenhead Park from 17th October to 3rd November.  All the photos in the exhibition have been produced as postcards which are being distributed to Lottery-funded venues across the UK.  These fantastic photographs can also be viewed online at: www.postcardsfromthepark.org.uk

 Everyone loves parks

More than 2.5 billion visits* are made to Britain’s parks each year and HLF and BIG are investing up to £160million to help revitalise these essential green spaces and put them back at the heart of community life**.  Since 1997, HLF has awarded over £400 million to improving parks, while BIG has spent more than £700 million on environmental initiatives since 2004.

Photographer and main judge, Mike McCartney, said: "This competition has really captured people's imaginations and I've been so impressed by the quality and quantity of entries, twice as many as last year! Colin Fletcher's photo is a wonderful shot, which not only illustrates the high standard this year, but also why so many people love their local parks."

North West winner, Colin Fletcher, said: “I’m delighted to have won in this competition. I spend a lot of time in Sefton Park, mostly getting fresh air, playing with my son. I took this photo one February morning and what inspired me was the light dispersing through the mist and trees, silhouetting the people.”

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of HLF, speaking on behalf of HLF and BIG, said: "Parks are vital places that give people an opportunity to escape the daily hustle and bustle and enjoy the fresh air. The huge number of photographs that were entered for this competition shows just how popular they are right across the country. That is why HLF and BIG support parks with such a massive investment of our funding.”

Paul Bramhill, Chief Executive of GreenSpace, said: “Parks provide a space for people to come together, relax and enjoy nature. A recent survey found that 83% of people believe that parks and green spaces are a focal point for communities – and HLF and BIG funding continues to contribute hugely to improving these essential spaces. The wonderful photographs in this competition illustrate exactly why we love them so much.”

 

Notes to Editors

* Research - Public Parks Assessment (2001).

PPA was the first nationwide audit and review of the condition and trends of park services and historic parks, and the circumstances under which services are delivered. The survey supported the view that urban parks in UK, in general, are in serious decline. This publication is a report based on the results of a survey undertaken with 405 authorities. The survey is available from GreenSpace at http://www.green-space.org.uk/education/Downloads/PPA.PDF

** Parks for People Scheme

The ‘Parks for People’ programme invests Lottery good cause money in regenerating public parks across the UK. The initiative aims to improve the local environment and put parks firmly back at the heart of community life. The two Lottery Funds are working in partnership to deliver this multi-million pound investment of up to £160million over three years. The Big Lottery Fund is investing up to £90 million (in England) and £70million is coming from HLF.

‘Parks for People’ is a joint grants programme for public parks in England. HLF provides funding for the programme for parks in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The scheme is being administered by the HLF.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, HLF invests in every part of our diverse heritage.  HLF has supported more than 26,000 projects, allocating over £4billion across the UK.  Website: www.hlf.org.uk

The Big Lottery Fund (BIG), the largest distributor of National Lottery good cause funding, is responsible for giving out half the money raised for good causes by the National Lottery. BIG is committed to bringing real improvements to communities and the lives of people most in need and has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since June 2004. Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

GreenSpace is a registered charity which works to improve parks and green spaces by raising awareness, involving communities and creating skilled professionals. For more information please go to www.green-space.org.uk

 

Further Information

For further information, please contact:

Dervish Mertcan at HLF’s press office on 020 7591 6102
Email: dervishm@hlf.org.uk  Out of hours: 07973 613820

 

Helen Harch at the BIG press office on 020 7211 3707
Email: helen.harch@biglotteryfund.org.uk  Out of hours: 07867 500 572