Maurice Broomfield Photographic Competition for Children

The 4th Maurice Broomfield Competition for children of Junior School age brought a fine display of the photographer’s art to Emsworth Community Association for the award of prizes on Friday, 1st May. Maurice was an industrial photographer with an international reputation. He lived in Emsworth for many years, spent hours watching and enjoying the wildlife on the Emsworth Slipper Mill Pond, and loved to encourage young people to take up, become proficient at , and enjoy photography.

After his death at the age of 94 in 2010 the Slipper Mill Pond Preservation Association (SMPPA) decided it would be appropriate to commemorate him and his work by establishing and funding a competition for children, working with local schools. It is open to children in years 3- 6and the participating schools are Emsworth Junior, St. James C. of E, Southbourne, Westbourne, Funtington, Thorney Island. It is organised by a group comprising members of Maurice’s family and friends and the SMPPA. The rules for entry, including subject matter, have evolved over the years to the include the Association’s interest in wildlife conservation but also to allow free rein to the children’s inclination to take pictures of anything which fires their imagination. This year’s conservation-related theme was “Ponds and River Banks”.

The overall winner of “Ponds and River Banks” section was Sarah Palmer (year 5, Funtington) with her picture entitled “Robert the Frog”.

Other best-of-year winners were: Jamie Drew with “Take Off” (Year 6, Westbourne), Scarlet Vinten “Mallard Pair (year 4, Funtington) and Fola Odofin, “Dinner Time” (year 3, Southbourne).

Melody Dodgson (Emsworth), Eva Ford (Funtington), Fola Odofin, Ellen Middleton (Funtington), Jamie Morgan (Funtington), Priya Sahota (St James), Jonny Sargent (Thorney Island), (Emsworth Junior) and Jessica Webb (St James) also entered pictures which the judge were sufficiently impressed by to award of a “Highly Commended” certificate.

In the “Free Choice of Subject” section the winner was Jamie Morgan, (Funtington), with “Portrait”. Thomas Barker (Southbourne), Billie O’Brien (Funtington), Florence Lane (Westbourne), and Honor O’Brien (Funtington), Sarah Palmer (Funtington) and Gwen Sargent (Thorney) received “Highly Commended” certificates .

Up to the present year the prizes have been presented by members of Maurice’s family. This year, owing to ill health and work commitments abroad this was not possible and prizes and certificates were presented by Gill and Jeff Thatcher, both members of the judging panel. All the entries were printed and displayed in the Assembly room , where the prizes were presented, forming a very impressive backdrop to the proceedings, and continued on show over the weekend that followed. Subsequently, the winning pictures could be seen in the Emsworth Co-op Store, who kindly provided the light refreshments for the event.

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