National Grid : launches photo competition to mark Norwich holder demolition

18 May 2018

Take a picture of Norwich's skyline and be in with a chance to win £250 worth of photographic equipment.

Norwich's spires and the story of the magical Moray-Smith panorama of the city were the inspiration for a new photography competition that launches today, organised by National Grid.

Called the Norwich Skyline Photography Competition, the initiative is open to all amateur photographers and aims to celebrate and share photographs of the city and views across it.

The competition has two categories:

1. The Norwich Skyline (a photograph taken from any angle and taken from anywhere).
2. Gasholders in the Skyline (a composition which includes, in any form, the gasholders on Gas Hill).

Entries should be submitted by midnight on 7 June and the winners will be announced at an event on 20 June.

Information about the competition and how to enter is all available at the competition website at www.norwichskylinephoto.com

Bethan Short from National Grid said: 'We're organizing this photography competition to celebrate the skyline and capture new and creative images over the city. From the cathedral to the castle, Norwich's skyline is distinctive and dynamic. We're calling on all amateur photographers - and those who just want to get out their phones and capture their favourite view - to send us their photos and get involved.'

National Grid is running the competition ahead of its scheduled work to dismantle the former gasholders on Gas Hill. The gasholders are redundant and have not been used to store gas since 2009. They are being taken down so that the land can be put back into beneficial use in the future.

The competition category for 'Gasholders in the Skyline' is specifically designed to help capture scenes of the gasholders before they are dismantled in the summer.

As well as being inspired by the spires of Norwich, the idea for the competition comes from artist John Moray-Smith's celebrated panorama of the city. This precious work disappeared from public view for some years but was found and restored by the Norwich Society.

Paul Burall from the Norwich Society was involved in the restoration of the Moray-Smith and will be one of the judges for the Norwich Skyline Photography Competition.

Paul Burall, Vice Chair of the Norwich Society, said: 'The gasholders on Gas Hill have played an important part in Norwich's industrial heritage and, while we will be sad to see them go, this competition is a great way to celebrate their contribution to the skyline. We welcome National Grid launching this creative competition and involving the city so positively and proactively. I'm looking forward to seeing some eye-catching entries.'

The prizes on offer are for vouchers for photographic equipment from London Camera Exchange (in Castle Mall) and will be awarded as follows:

1. Best photograph in the Norwich skyline category (£150 voucher for photographic equipment)
2. Best photograph in the Gasholders in the skyline category (£150 voucher for photographic equipment)
3. Best Young photographer, for anyone aged 17 or under on 20 June 2018 (£150 voucher for photographic equipment)

The judges will then choose a 'best overall' photograph from these three and the overall Norwich Skyline Photography Competition winner will receive an additional £100 voucher meaning they take home a total prize of £250 worth of photographic equipment.

The competition winners will be announced at an event at St Matthews Church (just up Gas Hill from the gasholders) on Wednesday 20 June.

The event will include a formal presentation of the prizes plus a display of the best other submissions - photos will be displayed in a special 'gallery' set up for the occasion.

Members of National Grid's site team will be at the event which, as well as marking the photography competition prize-giving, will be an information 'drop in' event for people to find out more about how National Grid will be dismantling the gasholders and how the company will be commemorating their heritage.

Anyone wanting to know more about National Grid's work is invited to attend and talk to the team about what's involved in removing the gasholders and how the work will be carried out.

The event will take place at:

St Matthew's Church, Telegraph Lane West, Norwich, NR1 4JL on Wednesday 20 June.

The event is open for people to visit between 1.00pm and 8.00pm.