Winners of The Base wildlife photography competition on show

The winners of The Base ‘My Wildlife’ Photography competition, which asked budding photographers of all ages to capture the wonders of wildlife and the natural world are currently on show in Greenham. This was inspired by the National History Museum’s prestigious Wildlife Photography of the Year 58 exhibition, which is open at The Base until March 26.

With nearly 250 entries, the panel of expert judges (including photographer Phil Cannings and arts editor Trish Lee from the Newbury Weekly News, photographer Philip Tull, The Base's Stephanie Johnson and Beale Wildlife Park living collection manager Paul Betchley) had the difficult task in whittling down the superb photographs to just 20 in each age category. It was then up to the general public in an online Facebook vote to decide their favourites.

Harry Griggs (aged 13) was crowned winner of the under-18s category with his photograph of piglets on a farm in Curridge and 15-year-old Amber Karasinski was awarded the runner-up prize with her photo Caterpillars.

In the over-18s category, Emily Hall’s The Rising Swan was awarded first place having gained an impressive 1,700+ votes online, and second prize went to David Woodcock’s photo of a kingfisher, Moment of Impact.

The two winners receive a Base Pass Plus and Family Base Pass, which gives them unlimited entry to The Base Gallery for a whole year and also a day spent behind-the-scenes at Beale Wildlife Park with a keeper, to take photographs and meet the animals.

All 40 of the finalists’ pictures are currently on display in the Runway Gallery at The Base for visitors to enjoy throughout the week.

Featuring exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour and spectacular species, National History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year 58 uses photography’s unique emotive power to engage and inspire audiences, encouraging a future of advocating for the planet. The exhibition will run at The Base, Wednesday to Sunday, 10am-5pm (For more information visit www.thebasegreenham.co.uk) until Sunday, March 26.