With the sun set to shine over the half-term break, people in South Wales are being encouraged to take their cameras with them as they head out and about on the National Cycle Network in The Valleys and capture the Heart and Soul of Wales on film.
The ‘Sights, Camera, Action’ photography and short film competition – led by sustainable transport charity Sustrans in partnership with The Valleys Heart and Soul campaign – is open to everyone of all ages. It asks competitors to film or photograph any part of the National Cycle Network in the South Wales Valleys that means something to them, concentrating on one of three themes – people, places or wildlife.
Competitors can express their chosen theme and enjoyment of the Network in any way they wish; from eating ice cream with the family at Caerphilly Castle to capturing the sweeping landscape from on top of Hengoed viaduct or highlighting Wales’ most magnificent bird of prey – the red kite.
Angela Spiteri, Sustrans Officer for the new routes, said: “People certainly won’t be stuck for ideas as there are magnificent walking and cycling routes in the South Wales Valleys through some of the most dramatic landscape, iconic buildings and historic towns in Britain, and many of the routes can also be easily accessed by train.
“With even more routes now under development there are growing opportunities for travelling around The Valleys on foot or bike – two of the best ways to experience local life.’
Documentary photographer David Hurn, famous for his shoots with icons like Sean Connery and Jane Fonda, will lead the judging panel, which includes film director Ryan Andrews. Top prizes include a Saddle Skedaddle cycling holiday and a 4 night stay for up to 10 people in Windways Neuadd Afan – a luxury 4 star accommodation in the Afan Valley. All the winning photos and films will be announced and showcased at this year’s National Eisteddfod of Wales in Ebbw Vale from July 31 to August 7.
David Hurn said: “I look forward to seeing something that makes me want to look at it time and time again. I want something that says to me that the photographer thought “this is the most interesting thing I saw”, and I want to be shown it in a way that makes me understand why the photographer thought it important.”
The competition is part of this year’s fifteenth anniversary celebrations for the National Cycle Network, which is now more than 12,000 miles UK-wide – 250miles of which are in the south Wales Valleys. An extra 100 miles are currently being created in the Valleys, which will bring the Network to within two miles of a further 636,000 people.
Competition entries should be submitted to www.thevalleys.co.uk/SightsCameraAction by Saturday July 10
The Valleys – Heart and Soul of Wales is a three-year campaign led by partnership organisations from the Western Valleys, Heads of the Valleys and The Valleys Partnership.
The aim is to change perceptions of The Valleys, attract more tourists and bring long-term economic benefits to the area. The area has undergone major transformation with a total investment of £42 million and is now a flourishing tourism destination waiting to be explored.
Vicki Spencer, Campaign and Communications Manager for The Valleys Heart and Soul, said: “The Valleys is brimming with interesting people, places and wildlife and this competition is a great reason to get out there and explore what The Valleys has to offer. The pictures and short films will help capture the real essence of The Valleys by the people of The Valleys and will be used to encourage more people to experience what makes us the Heart and Soul of Wales.”