Over the 2018/9 new year week just gone, I held a photo competition on the blog and Facebook group on the theme of winter/ Christmas or the general season, and I’m pleased to say I’ve had a wonderful response with over 130 entries!

Barring any corrections this is the final gallery from which the five winners and five runners up will be selected. Myself and fellow admins of the group – Linda Mason, Phil Griffin ad Richard Burnell plus honorary blog wise owl the young David Evans will each select a winner and a runner up – winners will be announced next weekend hopefully (19th-20th January – this may be subject to slight delay, however).

Spring and light will be here again soon….

If I’ve missed anyone out, my apologies – just contact me ASAP and I’ll add any I’ve overlooked. If you’ve messaged me any pictures on FB and I’ve missed them out, please ping me again – it’s a mare to find images in messages.

Thank you all so much for your gorgeous photos, patience and wonderful eye for the beautiful – there are some very talented readers out there!

Winners won’t necessarily be based on technical excellence or top flight equipment or skills – a wonky phone photo capturing something fun can be every bit as good as the carefully shot image by a pro. It’s about feel and intention.

Entries have been limited to one photo per person to make judging easier. I’m sorting out entries with readers who submitted multiple entries over the next couple of days and they’ll be added to the gallery as I do so.

The five winners will be awarded Backyard Brewhouse ale 5 litre (8.8 pint!) minikegs, which are brewed in Brownhills to great acclaim (you’ll need to pick them up from the brewery in Brownhills), and books for the five runners up – if you’re teetotal or living a long way away we’ll come to some other arrangement.

Prizes are as ever, are funded out of my own pocket. The judges decision will be final. This is for enjoyment and good feeling.

The images below can all be viewed larger by clicking on them. If there’s an error, you spot a multiple entry or whatever, shout up. To err is human, to balls stuff up totally is my modus operandi.

If you’re looking for your image, use your browser’s search option is a good way. On a Mac that’s <option> & <F>.

Thank you everyone.