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PRESS
RELEASES
Taken
in Good Spirit...
Posted
13th May 2005
The
winning entries from the 15th annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Photographic Competition are set to be unveiled to the public
from 10am this Saturday, May 14 at the City's latest free-to-access
visitor attraction, The Spirit of the Tattoo, located at the top
of the Scottish Capital's Royal Mile.
Recently
opened, the new visitor centre, which sits in the shadow of Edinburgh
Castle, tells the compelling story of the Military Tattoo, descriptively,
graphically and interactively.
But
it was amateur photographer, Gordon Berry of Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire,
who triumphed, taking first place and £500 for his colourful
image of the exotic Estonian gymnasts, Club Piruett, performing
at the record-breaking 55th Edinburgh Tattoo.
The
award winning shot was taken using a Canon EOS 10D camera, purchased
as an indulgence after retiring as a Radio Communications manager
with BT, following 33 years service.
"This
is the first competition I have ever entered and winning has given
me great encouragement," said the surprised, yet delighted
winner. "My visit to the Tattoo was a joy, and I now recommend
the event to everyone I meet. Long may it continue."
The
judges studied over 400 entries from around the world, including
submissions from Australia, USA, China, Holland, Switzerland and
throughout the UK. "The standard of entries improves every
year which makes choosing a winner much more difficult,"
said Brian Swinburne, one of the competition judges, a retired
photography lecturer and former Tattoo photographer.
Second
place and £250 went to Wouter Bianchi from Huizen in The
Netherlands for his striking shot of the Massed Highland Dancers,
fashioning a patriotic St Andrew's cross.
Alec
Finch from Wantage in Oxfordshire took third place and £150
for his eye-catching silhouette of a South African Navy Band trumpeter
in action.
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1st
Place
Gordon Berry |
2nd
Place
Wouter Bianchi |
3rd
Place
Alec Finch |
| (Click
on the images for larger sized versions) |
One
of the contest's youngest ever entrant's, 15-year old Louise Ireland
from Dundee's Broughty Ferry, was awarded a Commendation for her
stunning picture of the Cheraw Cultural Dancers, from Mizoram
in North East India. " Each year I attend the Tattoo and
was so excited to hear my picture had received an award,"
remarked the promising youngster.
Highly
Commended, Commended and Finalist prizes were also awarded as
follows:
Highly
Commended:
Mr Mark P Doherty, Whixley, North Yorkshire
Mr Christopher Carter, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancs
Mr Ronnie Graham, Tewkesbury, Glos
Commended:
Miss Louise Ireland, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
Ms Hazel Grant, California, USA
Ms Lesley McHardy, Blairgowrie, Scotland
Finalist:
Mr Christian Sperka, Zofingen, Switzerland
Mr Andrew Scott, Burnhope, Co Durham
Mrs Mary Pearman, North Yate, Nr Bristol
All
winners receive two tickets for this year's sold-out Edinburgh
Military Tattoo, a presentation certificate and a mounted enlargement
of their prize entry.
This
year's Tattoo runs from 5th - 27th August where there will be
another opportunity to win cash prizes worth £900.
Prints
of the winning photographs are available on request.
-Ends-
The Spirit of the Tattoo Visitor Centre, 555 Castlehill, Royal
Mile, is open Mon to Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm.
Sponsors
this year whose valuable support is gratefully acknowledged include:
The Royal Bank of Scotland, Dewar's World of Whisky, Highland
Spring, Ford, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh, and Caledonian
Brewery.
For
further information, please contact:
The
Tattoo Office Tel: 0131 225 4783
32 Market Street Fax: 0131-225 8627
Edinburgh EH1 1QB Web. www.edintattoo.co.uk
Email: administration@edintattoo.co.uk
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