We had some spectacularly beautiful entries to our first ever photograph and haiku competitions for Woodland Trust volunteers.

 

Congratulations to the winners!  We’ll be in touch very soon to organise your prizes!

 

Winners from our 7 countries and regions across the UK were chosen by the Regional Directors, and the National Volunteering Panel members then voted for the overall UK favourites.  There was a tie break between two photos for the winning photo, so Michael Peacock, Head of Engagement and Volunteering chose his favourite.

 

The overall UK winning haiku was the Welsh winner. It was written by Jill Turner one of our volunteer photographers. I find it incredibly moving…so beautiful it gives me goosebumps! 

 

Natalie Buttriss, Wales Director said that she chose this haiku as it sounded comforting, a virtual nature hug for all the plants and animals shutting down for the winter.

 

Here it is:

 

Winter arms outstretched,
a thousand sheltered homes.
Cold sun creeps down.

 

The Scotland winning photograph was chosen as the UK winner.  It was taken by David Nash, one of our volunteer photographers.   

 

David described his picture as his attempt at Monet.  It was taken at Eagle Brae Lodges, between Beauly and Glen Affric on 19th October 2020.

 

 

Michael Peacock, who judged the tie breaker, chose this image as the UK winner because:

 

“It immediately took me to that season – the buttery-yellow leaves capturing that peak moment in autumn before they all fall. I’d love to see winter, spring and summer captured from the same spot too!”.

 

Carol Evans, Scotland Director, picked it as the Scotland winner because:  “This breath taking picture could have been pointillism; it draws you in and says everything of the wonder and magic of silver birch in autumn – brilliant picture.”

 

..and now for the runners up – here are the other country and regional winners:

 

 Haikus:

 

Central England: The Oak Maker, by Wendy Wilkins, Warden at Bunkers Hill, Stourbridge

Aark, aark, Flash of blue

Ripe acorns among fallen leaves

The Jay – the Oak-maker.

 

Northern England, by Lucy Croucher, Guided Walk Leader at Nidd Gorge, N Yorks

Oak tree in the storm

Acorn snug in its cupule

Waits for Spring to come

 

Scotland – by Gordon Watson, volunteer warden at Urquhart Bay by Loch Ness.

Fallen red oak leaves:

Jigsaw pieces, tan and gold

camouflage my path

 

Photos

 

This is the runner-up Welsh entry from Jill Turner, volunteer photographer, that drew with the overall winner in the voting by the National Volunteering Panel.  

 

 

Other regional winners are: 

 

 

 

…and last, but certainly not least, are a selection of the other entries, that were all too wonderful not to share with you.

 

Haikus:

 

Oak, Quercus Robur
Wondering what you have seen
Threatened by a moth

 

Oak tree in the storm
Acorn snug in its cupule
Waits for Spring to come

 

Where does your soul go
When the Autumn takes your leaves?
It returns to earth

 

‘Iridescent Leaves
Spin a Whirling Dervish
In Shivering Wind.’

 

Green turns to brown
They fall with a scream
The jay is searching for hidden treasure

 

Oak Tree in Autumn
Leaves blaze, bronze, gold, jade;
Bark is knobbed, gnarled, cold to touch;
Leaves fall, bark endures.

 

In the failing light
Jackdaws squabble over acorns
Shed by ancient oaks

 

Solemn old oak tree
I see you are weary now
Let your branches sleep

 

Sublime King of Trees
Long life beyond that of Man
Help us all to breath

 

Upturned boughs of oak
Swell their bright green bowls of fruit
That decent soil bound

 

Lush green oak leaves drape
along wide out-stretched branches
then shrink to crisp brown

 

The russet blush keens
One last sunlight song before
The long dark slumber

 

Autumn fireglow leaves
Whispering counsel of oak
Softly shifting scents

 

raindrops on oak leaves –
a jay gathers and buries
the fallen acorns

 

Colours glow, leaves fall
Acorns full of future hope
Life hides deep inside

 

at an oak buffet
gall looper and mildew feast
the whole tree lives well

 

I climb the old oak
Hold on tight to craggy bark
World so small below

 

…and the other photo entries:

 

 

Matilda Scharsach

Scotland Volunteering Development Officer