Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One's Countryfile programme has had a record-breaking time since it moved from its traditional Sunday morning slot to become a teatime favourite with audiences all over Britain. And it isn't just the programme that's benefitted from the move: Countryfile's annual photographic competition has been a real hit with viewers too.

A Moment of Magic was the theme of this year's competition and the audience really warmed to their task sending in more than 65,000 entries – more than double last year's number. The standard has been higher than ever too. Now the viewers have voted for their favourite – Pen Rashbass's, Going Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, and the judges have chosen the one they like best, Matthew Taylor's Magic Dragon.

But that's just part of the story. Each year the winning photographs are pulled together into one highly-prized document: the Countryfile Calendar, sold in aid of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Children in Need. Last year the calendar raised Β£779,946 for the charity and this year we hope it will do even better, with help from our viewers.

Details of the 12 winning entries:

Going Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ by Pen Rashbass
Bonsall, Matlock

This year's winning photograph, Going Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ, is one of a series taken by Pen Rashbass. It documents last year's particularly harsh winter, when she was snowed in whilst visiting friends in Scotland. The sheep had to be driven down from the hills and Pen was right at the heart of the action. It's all a far cry from her day job as a senior lecturer in bio-medical science at the University of Sheffield, but apart from taking photographs, Pen also trains working sheep dogs as a hobby.

Magic Dragon by Matthew Thomas
Newhaven, East Sussex

Matthew Thomas did not have to go far to find his moment of magic; Magic Dragon was taken in his very own back garden. He saw the dragon flies from his pond resting on the nearby poppy heads and noticed the beautiful light. He grabbed his new camera and captured this stunning image. A relative newcomer to photography, Matthew has only had his camera for a year and it was his mum who encouraged him to send his work into Countryfile.

Mountain High by Brian Hancox
Newbiggin-by-the-sea, Northumberland

It was the theme of this year's photographic competition that caught the attention of Brian Hancox, an electronics testing engineer from Newbiggin-by-the-sea, Northumberland. Whilst on holiday in the Lake District Brian had captured this "moment of magic" at the top of Blencathra after a steep and misty climb on New Years Eve 2008. Despite being an avid photographic enthusiast since his late teens this was the first time Brian had entered Countryfile's photographic competition.

Sun Down by Mark Catanach
New Bradwell, Milton Keynes

Last year Mark Catanach's entry made it into the Countryfile calendar as a smaller image on the October page so this year he was determined to better that. Mark's passion is shooting landscapes and he regularly travels from his home in Milton Keynes to the Lake District to capture the natural beauty of this rugged corner of England. His interest in taking photographs started young and he even sat an exam in photography at the age of 14.

In The Clover by Sue North
Bromley, Kent

A hairdresser for over 30 years, Sue North from Bromley in Kent took up photography as a hobby 10 years ago. A member of the local camera club Sue took In The Clover whilst on a specific outing to photograph water voles in June of this year. This is the first time Sue has entered the Countryfile photographic competition and did so because she loved this picture so much she wanted others to be able to enjoy it to, and now they can, for a whole month!

Dish Of The Day by Lee Fisher
Haydon End, Swindon, Wiltshire

This dramatic image of an osprey catching his dinner was captured by Lee Fisher in the Cairngorms National Park whilst on holiday with his family. Lee is an automotive engineer from Swindon where he lives with his fiancee and two children. Relatively new to photography having only been taking pictures for about 18 months, Lee's primary motivation was to make the calendar and stop this beautiful image sitting dormant on his hard drive.

Incy Wincy by Michael J Butler
Kemsley, Sittingbourne, Kent

Michael Butler has a keen interest in insect photography and used his macro lens to capture this astonishing image of a tiny spider in his back garden. The photo was taken about 18 months ago and Michael particularly loved how striking the spider's eyes appear. An avid viewer of Countryfile, Michael is a member of his local photographic society and lives in Kent with his wife. He has been taking photos as a hobby for 20 years but this is the first time he has entered the photographic competition.

Flutter By by Coral Robinson
Martyr Worthy, Winchester

Coral Robinson is not just an inspiration to her five children and six grandchildren but to the amateur photographers out there who do not have faith in their abilities. Coral had entered Countryfile's photographic competition a couple of years ago without success but her children's encouragement motivated her to enter Flutter By at the very last minute this year. The young girl in the picture is Coral's 12-year-old daughter Khiana who was gazing in wonder at the incredible markings on this painted lady butterfly whilst on a walk in the countryside near their home.

Huffing Puffin by Jennifer Duncan
York

It was a case of right time and place for Jennifer Duncan when she was visiting the Farne Island with friends and snapped these fabulous puffins settling back onto a wall. An ecotoxicologist originally from the village of Newburgh on the north east coast of Scotland but now living in York, Jennifer was inspired to enter the competition having recently started night courses in photography.

Pot 0f Gold by Mike Cruise
Newmilns, Ayrshire

No stranger to the Countryfile photographic competition Mike Cruise has not only been in the final three times before but won it twice!! A self-employed podiatrist from Newmilns in Ayrshire Mike has been taking photos for about 25 years. This particular gem was taken at Loch Tummel near Pitlochry last autumn.

Heads Up by Jamie Brockbank
Calcot, Reading

The youngest finalist in this year's photographic competition, 28-year-old Jamie Brockbank from Reading took this emotive shot just up the road from his house. A fan of photographing landscapes and buildings, Jamie does not usually take wildlife shots and has never entered Countryfile's competition before but did so after encouragement from his grandfather.

In The Balance by Michael Mutimer
Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire

No stranger to the Countryfile competition, Michael Mutimer has featured in the Countryfile calendar once before and his wife Rosemary has astoundingly had pictures included twice previously! This particular shot was taken at a wildlife centre in Norfolk where Michael was able to get uniquely close to the usually extremely timid harvest mouse. Now retired, Michael has been taking photos for 15 years.

Notes to Editors

Mountain High – January
Sun Down – February
Incy Wincy – March
Dish of the Day – February
Flutter By – May
Head's Up – June
In The Clover – July
Huffing Puffin – August
In The Balance – September
Magic Dragon – October
Pot Of Gold – November
Going Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ β€“ December

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