Pabsham Countryside Park photography competition

The competition, in which members of the public were invited to take photographs that captured the beauty of the park, ran from the end of September 2009 until 1st March this year.

Organised by Rother District Council, Hastings Borough Council and East Sussex County Council, sixty eight entries were received and subsequently short-listed to sixteen, from which the five judges had the difficult task of selecting the best picture.

The wining entry, taken by Glen Lowcock, is The Railway Arch Pebsham - part of the disused railway line in the park - and on hearing he'd won the competition he said: "What unexpected news!"

Glen's prize is a two night stay at the George hotel in Rye and a trip to Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

The judges were local photographer and part-organiser of the competition Nigel Green, Cllr Joy Waite, Bexhill Museum Curator Julian Porter, Hastings Borough Council Ranger Guy Loader, and a local tenant farmer, Sarah Blackford.

Nigel said the quality of the entrants had been exceptional and it was hard to choose just one winner as there is much to see in the park:

"Pebsham park is fantastic for nature photography and it was difficult choosing a winner. We wanted a photograph that reflected the diversity of the park.

"The competition was aimed at amateurs, and the idea behind it was to bring people into the park to engage in the local environment.

"People may not realise what resources they have right on their doorstep."

Among those attending the preview event, in which the short-listed final sixteen images were exhibited, was Bexhill Town Mayor Bridget George and Cllr Deirdre Williams, who were impressed by the range of images on display.

Deirdre said: "These are really stunning photographs."

The photography exhibition will run until June 6 and can be viewed by anyone visiting Bexhill Museum, which has recently benefited from a 2million refurbishment.

Pebsham Countryside Park is a joint project to develop and enhance the green space between Hastings, Bexhill and Crowhurst, an area of approximately 1480 acres.

Early developments already include new public rights of way signposts and some improved paths.

Visitors are already welcome at the Filsham Reedbeds, managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust. Partners, including Rother, aim to develop an open space that is innovative and sustainable, and one that will attract local and international visitors to the Pebsham, Bulverhythe and Combe Haven valley areas.

An events programme has recently been launched and will run from May to September 2010. Copies are available from Bexhill Museum and from Bexhill Town Hall main reception.

Visit the websites at: www.rother.gov.uk and: www.bexhillmuseum.co.uk