Young Burnham and Highbridge artists and photographers praised at Rotary contest

The creativity of younger folks from Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge has been celebrated following a nicely‑attended Rotary artwork and images competitors held at King Alfred School Academy.

More than 75 college students took half within the 2025/26 Rotary Young Photographer and Young Artist Competitions, organised by Burnham-On-Sea Rotary Club in partnership with the varsity’s artwork division. Judges praised the “remarkable” commonplace of labor on show.

This 12 months’s theme, ‘Happiness in Nature’, impressed entries throughout a number of age classes, with a further unofficial employees class additionally included.

Art instructor and organiser Ellen Edgecombe mentioned the occasion continues to develop every year.
“This is the fourth year the art department has partnered with the Rotary Club,” she mentioned. “We had the biggest number of entries by far, with every year group taking part — from Year 7 right up to GCSE and A‑Level Art and Photography students.”

Judge Dan Milford mentioned the standard of submissions was excellent.
“We were impressed by the number of entries, especially in the Photography competition. The standard this year has been remarkable and so many entries captured the theme beautifully. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and a special bravo to our winners.”

Rotary Youth Chairman Bernard Raines defined that winners from the native heats will now progress to the district finals, with the potential to succeed in the nationwide stage.
“There are three stages to the competition, each designed to support and encourage the development of art and photographic skills,” he mentioned. “We also run a separate competition for local primary schools so younger children can enter the junior category. It’s important to encourage artistic skills from an early age.”

Both competitions had been judged by a panel of native artists and images consultants.
The Young Artist Competition was judged by Louise Squire, who runs workshops at Willowherb Studio, and native artwork fanatic Sue Dyer. The Young Photographer Competition was judged by Catriona Newman from Burnham‑On‑Sea.com, Bristol photographer Charles Kinsley, and images pupil and mannequin Francesca Dodu.

All judges agreed the excessive commonplace of labor made selecting winners “extremely difficult”.

Winners and runners‑up in every class might be introduced quickly, with the Rotary Club wishing them the very best of luck as they transfer on to the district finals.