Warrington & Vale Royal College photography students showcase Winsford’s heritage through creative competition

Talented students on the Level 2 Digital Photography course at Warrington & Vale Royal College recently took part in a college-led photography competition, capturing unique perspectives of Winsford and its heritage. Their success was celebrated at a private viewing event at the Winsford campus, where the winning entries were officially unveiled.

The competition, launched by the college’s Vice Principal Andy Williams and Director of Curriculum Ben Brady, invited students to explore the local area and submit photographs that reflected Winsford’s identity, history, and character. Although not part of their formal qualification, the project encouraged students to push their creativity and produce work with a real-world focus. Four winning entries were selected to be professionally printed and are now proudly displayed in the Winsford campus’s Learning Resource Centre (LRC). The college extends a huge thank you to Signs Unlimited for donating their time and resources to make this happen – it is very much appreciated.

The private viewing welcomed students along with their family and friends to the Winsford campus, many of whom were seeing their work printed for the first time. It was a memorable moment for all involved. One student commented: "I am so proud of putting myself out there and submitting my work to the competition. Seeing my work printed and on a bigger proportion is genuinely so motivating and makes me want to explore photography further."

Emma Dunne, Lecturer in Digital Photography, praised the students for their dedication and creativity, saying: "I couldn't be prouder of each and every one of my students who submitted a piece for this competition. Many of these students are not from the area, so to take part outside of college as part of a real-life brief shows their dedication and enthusiasm for the subject. Seeing my students thrive in something they are passionate about is the reason why I do the job.”

The winning entries, including artist statements, were submitted by:

William - Anderton Boat Lift

“What better way to spend a warm summer day than jumping in the car for a road trip? With no specific plans to take photos, I brought my camera along - just in case.

On my travels, I came across an awesome feat of engineering: the Anderton Boat Lift, known as the Cathedral of the Canals. Designed by Edwin Clark in 1875, this remarkable structure was built to transfer boats and barges between the River Weaver and the Trent & Mersey Canal. Standing at 50 feet tall, it operates using a simple yet ingenious counterbalance system - two massive water tanks possessing watertight, sealable doors that transport vessels up and down.

I carefully chose a vantage point that allowed me to capture the entire lift, showcasing its industrial superstructure. With the lighting and viewpoint in my favor, minimal post-production was needed - just a slight crop to remove some orange safety rails and a subtle clarity adjustment to enhance the structure and control buildings.”

Kathryn - Cheshire Salt Mines & The River Weaver

“Winsford's industrial heritage is rooted in the salt industry, so I chose to capture an image of the salt mines. I took the photograph as the light was fading, drawn to the way the mine reflected on the River Weaver - an essential waterway during the industrial age, facilitating the transportation of salt and supporting trade. The warm glow of the lights contrasts beautifully with the cool blue tones of the sky and water, while the dark silhouette of the mine adds depth, adding a sense of calm and tranquillity.”

Sean - Cheshire Salt Mines

“I took this image at the Winsford Salt Mine in 2025. There's lots of industrial heritage in the area: the mine first opened in 1844 and this makes it the UK's oldest working mine. I like that there's nothing in the image that anchors it to a particular time period - the first miners in the Victorian era would have shared the same view as well.

I wanted to create a balanced composition, so I used the puddles to create a reflection. It was a cold winter's day and there was a beautiful clear blue sky. The sun was setting and this added some lovely warm colours to the image. This was the last picture I took after a fun day taking photos with friends from college!”

Suzanne - Trent & Mersey Canal Crossing

“This photo shows the Trent and Mersey Canal crossing from Carey Park to Marbury Country Park. Designed by English engineer James Brindley in 1766, the canal was built to connect the River Trent to the River Mersey, playing a key role in Britain's industrial revolution.

I believe this image reflects the region's industrial heritage, particularly through the age and architectural style of the bridge. While capturing this scene, I imagined how a wintery photoshoot could enhance the mood—snow and ice on the ground would add a striking contrast to the historic structure.”

The displayed works offer a fresh look at Winsford through the eyes of emerging photographers and will remain on display in the college’s LRC as a lasting example of student talent and initiative.

Learn more about digital photography courses for adults at Warrington & Vale Royal College here