A SUFFOLK SUMMER OF INSECTS - PRIZEWINNERS

Prizes for the insect drawing and photography competition were awarded in a well-attended informal event held in the wonderfully rustic setting of the old barn at Alder Carr Farm, Creeting St Mary on Saturday 1 st October. Once again the organizers’ hard work was rewarded by extremely high levels of observational and drawing skills exhibited by the young naturalists in their entries, which numbered almost 200. It is heartwarming to see such high standards and witness the obvious enthusiasm of the entrants: the competition clearly achieves its aim of encouraging an interest in insect wildlife in the new generation.

We were honoured to have Michael Chinery (pictured right) presenting the prizes. In his congratulatory talk Michael recalled that he had, inspired by his grandfather, developed a love for insects at a very young age indeed. His mother, who being a good seamstress had herself made Michael’s first butterfly net, nurtured this interest. The ambition to become a professional entomologist was embedded in his mind by the age of ten, and he has not looked back since. Expressing his great admiration for the artistic skills shown by the youngsters, Michael confessed that he had never been very good at drawing, and generally used a camera, which has also more or less replaced his use of a net.

(Michael Chinery’s most recent book, Collin’s Complete British Insects, will be reviewed in the Spring 2006 edition of White Admiral).

David Walker: Editor

Paul Lee and Martin Sanford judging entries.
 

 

RESULTS

Below is a full list of the winners, with a small reproduction of their entries, too small to do justice to the artwork, below that.

The Big Bug Drawing Competition (under 11)

Subject: Insects in my garden / insects in the park

First: Alice Pertwee, Butterflies & Moths

Second: Ruby Budd, Bee

Third: Ben Dulake, Dragonfly

Commended:  Tara Pertwee, Grasshopper

Commended:  Elliot Budd, Stag Beetle

Commended:  Adam Lyall, Hoverfly

 

Insect Illustrator Competition (11-16)

Subject: Studies of a single insect in the style of a field guide or a scientific diagram

First: Ruby Tiger Hawkins, Water Beetle

Second: Lizzie Harrison, Caterpillar

Third: Catherine Baldwin, Hoverfly

Commended: Alice Ewing, Woodlouse

 

Photographic Competition (all ages)

Subject: Suffolk Insects

First: Ms Lynn Jackson, Humming Bird Hawk-moth

Second: Matt Berry, Silver-studded Blue

Third: Paul Kitchener, Chinese Character Moth

 

Butterflies and moths     Alice Pertwee FIRST PRIZE
Bee     Ruby Budd Second Prize	Dragonfly     Ben Dulake Third Prize
Stag Beetle     Elliot Budd Commended	Hoverfly     Adam Lyall Commended
Grasshopper     Tara Pertwee Commended
Great Diving Beetle     Ruby Tiger Hawkins FIRST PRIZE
Caterpillar     Lizzie Harrison Second Prize	Hoverfly     Catherine Baldwin Third Prize