SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR CAPTURING CROYDON COMPETITION

SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR CAPTURING CROYDON COMPETITION

30 children from Croydon are up for top photography prizes in a new competition from The Whitgift Foundation 

  • 30 budding photographers have been selected from 146 schoolchildren for a chance to win top photography prizes
  • The initiative inspires children to explore their surroundings and the changes happening to Croydon’s urban landscape
  • Over 400 images were submitted of their hometown
  • The winner will be announced on 3July
  • The competition is part of a borough-wide initiative by The Whitgift Foundation, sponsored by the Croydon Partnership 

The Whitgift Foundation in Croydon has announced the shortlist for the Capturing Croydon photography competition. 30 children from local primary schools in Croydon have been selected for their images of the borough, and now have a chance to win top photography prizes.

Each class took part in a workshop led by a professional photographer and geographer. They were given cameras to explore different aspects of Croydon through a photographic lens; from the historic landmarks to the exciting new developments happening in Croydon, Capturing Croydon is inspiring local schools to engage with their evolving surroundings.

The children were encouraged to explore their own unique sense of place and engage with the changing urban landscape of Croydon through photography.

One winner will be chosen based on the following criteria:

  • Old and new
  • Nature and manmade
  • Community
  • Mood and emotion
  • Composition

The six schools that are taking part in the initiative are:

  • All Saints Primary School, Croydon
  • Atwood Primary Academy, South Croydon
  • Howard Primary, Croydon
  • Fairchildes Primary School, New Addington
  • Beaumont Primary School, Purley
  • St Peter’s Primary School, South Croydon

The workshops were led by:

  • Richard Chivers, an award-winning architectural photographer. Richard’s work has appeared in the Sunday Time Magazine, Evening Standard, and New York Times
  • Dr Paula Owens, BBC geography advisor and Canterbury University Research Fellow

 

Capturing Croydon is sponsored by the Croydon Partnership, the joint venture between Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield and Hammerson set to transform Croydon’s two main shopping centres Whitgift and Centrale into a world class retail and leisure destination.

Martin Corney, Chief Executive of the Whitgift Foundation said: “It’s fantastic to see how these young Croydon-ites have responded to the workshops. Some have focused on the history of the borough from the 400-year-old Whitgift Almshouses and the 12th century Old Palace of John Whitgift School. Others, however, have captured the community, from people walking through side streets to market sellers in Surrey Street Market. The images bring together a collective history of Croydon, and show the youth of today are beginning to understand their sense of place in Croydon today.”

Jo Negrini, CEO of Croydon Council, said: “This is a great local initiative from The Whitgift Foundation that introduces children to photography in a way that will make them feel proud to be from Croydon. Looking through the shortlist is like seeing Croydon in a new light, and it looks like these workshops have inspired these children to look at their hometown through a different lens.”

Steve Yewman, Development Director, Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield said: “As part of the Croydon Partnership redevelopment, we are aware that we’re becoming part of Croydon’s rich history and community. I’m honoured to support Capturing Croydon, an initiative that has inspired children to discover the borough through photography.”

 

For further information please contact:

Kallaway: capturingcroydon@kallaway.com | 0207 221 7883

 

Notes to editors

About The Whitgift Foundation

The Whitgift Foundation is a registered charity with the aim of providing education for the young and care for the elderly in Croydon and the surrounding areas. Established in 1596 by the former Archbishop of Canterbury John Whitgift, The Whitgift Foundation comprises of:

  • Three schools – Old Palace of John Whitgift School (girls), Trinity School (boys with a co-educational sixth form) and Whitgift School (boys).
  • Whitgift Care – three care homes, Whitgift House, Wilhelmina House and the Whitgift Almshouses offering a range of care provision including sheltered accommodation, full nursing care, residential care, respite and day care.
  • The Carers’ Information Service – provides free information, support, advice and training to an estimated 34,000 carers in Croydon and manages the Carers Support Centre, 24 George Street.

The Whitgift Foundation currently supports approximately 45% of current pupils in its schools through financial 'means tested' bursaries.  This equates to just over £5million a year to enable talented young people to benefit from the outstanding education provided by the schools

 

About Croydon Partnership

About Croydon Partnership’s plans for Croydon

The Croydon Partnership’s £1.4bn scheme will transform Croydon’s town centre into a major mixed-use state-of-the-art destination, which is retail, leisure and restaurant led. Alongside new public realm, the regeneration will support 7,000 jobs, new car parking and new residential units including affordable housing. This will sit at the heart of the wider regeneration of Croydon, attracting new residents and visitors back to the town centre for the benefit of all local businesses, whilst delivering a safe destination for families.

The Croydon Partnership can be followed on Twitter at @croydonpartners.  You can also visit the website www.thecroydonpartnership.com