Over 35 prizes and 30 commendations were handed out to talented pupils of 11 primary schools in Winchester who took part in the local “British Wildlife” Art Competition.

This was the third year in a row that the Trust sponsored this popular competition. The prize-giving ceremony scheduled to be held in March at hosts The Pilgrims’ School was postponed due to Coronavirus and in light of current guidelines individual schools held their own assemblies and awarded the prizes in their own year group bubbles.

 The Cameron Bespolka Art Award for the Overall Winner, sponsored by the RSPB, was awarded to Zoe Turner in Year 5 at St Swithun’s for her eye-catching painting of a Pine Marten. The Most Promising Artist Award, sponsored by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, was given to Year 3 pupil Thomas McKee in the Lower School at Westgate for his colourful drawing of a fox. St Bede once again won the School Prize for the school with the most winning and commended entries and Head Teacher Sarah Duck received a giant bag of bird seed donated by Pets Corner and a feeder donated by Peter & Paul wild bird food, on behalf of all her participating pupils. Prizes to pupils from Year 3 to Year 8 included Bug Houses, Robin Nests and a Kings of Prey bird ID book.

“We were once again eager to take part in the Cameron Bespolka Trust’s annual art competition. The children were truly inspired by this year’s “British Wildlife” theme and produced some very creative responses,” commented Victoria Meinel, Head of Visual Arts at St Swithun’s prep school. “It was wonderful to see them take the time to look more closely at local wildlife and, consequently, develop a deeper appreciation of the natural environment. Zoe was delighted to receive the Overall Winner prize for her striking painting of a pine marten and is looking forward to testing out her binoculars from the RSPB soon!”

We are looking to hold our next primary school art competition at Cameron’s Cottage, an educational place in the heart of the RSPB reserve Franchises Lodge in the New Forest

“After three successful years, we are looking to hold our next primary school art competition at Cameron’s Cottage, an educational place in the heart of the RSPB reserve Franchises Lodge in the New Forest, where children can be immersed in wildlife and nature. The Cottage’s renovation is already underway and we estimate that it will be open in June 2021,” added Sarah Wigley from the Cameron Bespolka Trust.

The competition attracted some very talented artists

Participating schools were St Bede, Westgate, Olliver’s Battery, St Faith’s, St Peters, Osborne SEN, Kings’, Stanmore, Weeke, St Swithun’s and The Pilgrims’ School.

Judge and art & design teacher at the University of Winchester Maria Vinney, local artist Puff Morgan-Giles and Jane Jenner, former Head of Art from Pilgrims’, had a difficult time deciding the winners. The judges were impressed not only with the number of entries but also the standard of art and creativity shown by the pupils, using pencil, chalks, pastels, watercolour, collage and mixed media and choosing an array of different animals and birds.

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