South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year

Last summer, after I submitted the final project for my MA, I spent a couple of weeks in Cornwall. I hiked down to Cape Cornwall - one of my very favourite places in the world - and got chatting to Melita who was on shift for the National Coastwatch Institute which sits on a small ledge on the sheer cliff that drops from the summit of the cape and drops into the sea facing out into the Atlantic towards Longships Lighthouse.

I asked her if I could take her portrait to which she kindly obliged. I submitted to the South West Coast Path Association’s Photographer of the Year competition and was amazed when I got a message that the photo has been awarded the winner of the People and Path category. I understand there will be an exhibition which I look forward to. The thing is, that this image, although I didn’t know it then, was the beginning of a new project about the volunteering sector. People who work to help others without pay. The National Coastwatch Institute has no funding and is fully supported with donations and money raising events. Here’s an article about the competition and the other (I must say fantastic) category winners.

https://www.southwestcoastpath.org.uk/about-coast-path/newsapp/article/420/