THE ANNUAL National Trust Black Down and Hindhead Supporters’ photography competition winners have been announced.

During another challenging year, the local National Trust sites provided solace for countless people throughout 2021.

The Black Down and Hindhead National Trust Supporters’ committee received 129 entries to its annual photography competition, from 74 people who visited the sites last year and captured some of their visual delights on camera.

The task facing the judging panel was difficult, selecting the winning images from so many stunning entries.

Haslemere Camera Club chairman Dr Clinton Blackman led the judging panel.

As usual, the 2021 competition was sponsored by Haslemere’s Raymond Reid Photo, which provided vouchers of £75, £50 and £25 for the first, second and third places respectively.

A prize of £25 was also awarded to the best photos in the children’s category.

First prize was awarded to Hoar frost at Black Down by Sheila Keen, while second prize was awarded to Wintry Devil’s Punchbowl by Andy Jones.

Third prize was awarded to Grass snake in the Devil’s Punchbowl by Rosie Freeman, while the children’s first prize was awarded to Bee on Burdock in the Devil’s Punchbowl by eight-year-old Thomas Rees-Jones.

The judges also decided a photograph of one of the conservation grazing ponies in the Punchbowl taken by three-year-old Stanley Chappelow should be highly commended.

The winning photographs will be displayed in the window of Raymond Reid Photo.

The National Trust owns large areas of spectacular countryside in the area around Haslemere, managing them for their internationally-significant wildlife and natural value, and safeguarding them for future generations to enjoy.

The Black Down and Hindhead Supporters is a membership group which helps the National Trust specifically to enhance precious areas, working with the staff who manage the extensive National Trust landholdings in the Hindhead and Black Down area.

It organises a range of talks and events throughout the year, offered free or at a reduced rate to members. Visit www.haslemere-nt.com for more information.