Sunset over the sea wins South West Coast Path photography prize
An image of a sunset over the sea has won the top prize in the 2024 South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year competition.More than 1,700 images taken at points along the path which stretches 630 miles (1,014km) around Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and Somerset were submitted, the South West Coast Path Association said.Jasmin Fernholz, a photographer from Germany, won the competition with her photo taken from the coast path near Tintagel, Cornwall.The association said the number and quality of outstanding images in the nature category prompted the judges to split the category into two, one covering wildlife and the other covering wider nature.
Heidi Morstang, a lecturer in photography at the University of Plymouth, was one of the judges.She said of the winning image: "We were drawn to its serene atmosphere, where the soft, low light gently highlights the wildflowers and winding path, while the woman walking evokes a sense of freedom. "The scene embodies the very essence of what many seek when exploring the South West Coast Path - a harmonious blend of natural beauty in an accessible environment."Ms Fernholz said: "We chose the path up to St Materiana's Church in the hope of seeing a wonderful sunset. "I was afraid that the clouds wouldn't move fast enough, and I had carried my 1.2 kg Sony A7III for nothing!"Other winners chose sites across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset to take their winning images.The association said the winning photographs will go on display at an exhibition at London Paddington railway station in May.
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BBC News
06-05-2025
- BBC News
Salt Path story creates trail of Devon and Cornwall walking fans
A best-selling book about one couple's journey of discovery on the South West Coast Path has created a trail of walkers inspired by their by Raynor Winn, The Salt Path is now reaching a new audience through the recently released film starring Gillian Anderson and Jason those already prompted to tackle the 630-mile (1,014 km) coastal route for themselves are Bobbie Tucker and her partner Jason Beynon, who have been training along with their dog Teddy. They hope to complete the entire route spanning four English counties in just six weeks, raising money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and visiting lifeboat stations as they go. "My sister lent me the book a couple of years ago and as I was reading I just thought I have to do this," said Ms introduced her partner Jason to the story and together they decided to take time off work to make the walk book tells the true story of Winn's journey with her husband Moth walking the route from Somerset to Dorset, after being evicted from their farm and her husband receiving a devastating health Beynon said: "Certainly for Moth it was a real journey. He had that diagnosis and for any man with any illness, to do that is quite exceptional and to do that with no money is just so brave. "They could have just given up and said life has dealt us a bad hand but they didn't. What a terrific journey and one to inspire everybody." But not everyone wants to walk the entire path in one and Alan Gumbrell have being walking the coast path in sections and aim to complete it in a decade. Ms Gumbrell read The Salt Path and is keeping her own journal of their trips and the people who join them one week at a time. She said family members and friends had joined them on different holidays and were all in a section of her log book with photos and Gumbrell said he recommended taking the route slowly. "No need to rush it, it's stopping at all the different places for a few days, experiencing everywhere you stop, just do it a week at a time," he said. Tourism leaders expect fans of the film to seek out some of the filming locations and welcome more Sherriff, national trail officer for the South West Coast Path Association, said everyone was welcome."There are 630 miles to share, there is something for everyone here," she association uses counting machines to record footfall at 15 different locations on the statistics gathered helps inform the organisation which part of the path is likely to need more Sherriff said: "It's an amazing free resource for people to get out there and walk. But it does cost a lot to maintain. "It's £1,500 per mile, per year and it's 630 miles along so that's an awful lot of money." Julian Gray, director of the association, estimates that walkers contribute £500m to the regional economy when they stay in accommodation and eat in nearby restaurants and pubs, supporting about 10,000 jobs along the route."To have a film which is focused just about the path is brilliant," he said."What The Salt Path will do is not just tell people about the trail, but the transformative power of walking."The South West Coast Path is the perfect multivitamin. It gets you out there, gets you near green space and blue space and connects you with nature."The film was released on 30 May, with a gala screening taking place at the Lighthouse Cinema in Newquay on Tuesday.
BBC News
03-05-2025
- BBC News
Why is it so dangerous to visit Brancaster shipwreck?
A decaying shipwreck has been an intriguing sight on the picturesque north Norfolk coast for 80 while it may be tempting to explore, the SS Vina becomes a death trap at high tide, as it was in the case of a man last a coroner calls for greater safety measures, the BBC looks at the wreck's history and why it is not worth risking a closer look. What is the SS Vina? Built in Scotland at the end of the 19th Century, the SS Vina started out as a cargo ship running between England's east coast and the Harry Bennett, an associate honorary professor at the University of Plymouth and an expert in World War Two history, said it was "clapped out" as a merchant ship by the start of the 1940, it was brought to a Norfolk port, filled with concrete and explosives and used as a blockade."If the German forces ever decided to rock up at Great Yarmouth, she would prevent access," said Dr Bennett."In 1943 or '44, when the threat of invasion had passed, she was requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport."The RAF was preparing for D-Day and they would practise shooting at targets, and bombing off the coast, and that's what she became; she was simply a target."She was towed to Brancaster, a remote area where it was much safer for practice as there was less chance of the good citizens of Norfolk being shot in the process."Eventually, full of holes, she would have sunk."It is now partly submerged off Scolt Head Island and can be reached on foot from Brancaster beach. Why is exploring it so dangerous? Brancaster is known for its seemingly endless stretch of sand, the North Sea a faint glimmer on the horizon at low tide. It draws thousands of visitors in the summer National Trust, which owns the land, has signs at the car park and at all access points to Brancaster beach to warn of the dangers of the tides and going near the wreck. At low tide, however, there is nothing preventing anyone walking over to the heavily corroded, sea-worn hulks of metal that once formed the SS Vina - despite it being extremely perilous to do the tide turns, the wreck site floods at a rapid rate, cutting off the means of escape. Dr Bennett said the shifting sands, tides, currents and channels were "always on the move" and approaching the wreck was "incredibly dangerous".The deceptive beauty of the coastline possibly put holidaymakers, without that local knowledge, at greater risk, he said."If you are on coast, you have to be careful and know your business, your tides - the water comes in very quickly," he said."It is not static, and you are just not going to out-pace that incoming tide."Last summer, 74-year-old Raymond Mills was taking a closer look at the wreck when the tide came in. He went under the water and BBC approached the HM Coastguard and RNLI for a said information on call-outs to SS Vina was not readily available but urged anyone visiting any tidal area to check tide times. What do locals think? "I don't think people realise how quick the tide comes in; people are not aware of it," said a man from Brancaster, who did not want to be named. "It's been there since the Second World War and it's been going on [people visiting the wreck] all my life."It's not uncommon. I think all locals would say the same."Another resident, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said she was wary of drawing attention to the SS Vina."There are warning signs in the area," she said."One year the wreck is exposed, and the next it is covered in sand and you can't really put a [warning] sign on the wreck."Aerial photographer John Fielding regularly flies over Brancaster. He said it gave him a safe view of the wreck and a real sense of the inherent risks."When I first heard there was a shipwreck at Scolt Head Island, I thought it was like something out of Robinson Crusoe," he said."From the air, you can see how dangerous it is to approach on foot."I have photographed people there. They think they will get back [to the beach] but you can see how the tide comes and cuts them off; the sea comes in behind them." What will happen to it now? Norfolk senior coroner Samantha Goward, who investigated the circumstances of Mr Mills's death, wants the wreck's owner to look at safety and management, to help prevent future problem is, it is unclear who is responsible. During World War Two, the wreck was owned and managed by the Ministry of War Transport, which no longer exists, but what happened next is a Department for Transport is making inquiries and is due to respond to the coroner. Dr Bennett thinks the curious will continue to be drawn to SS Vina; its removal is almost certainly too difficult and expensive to be a serious consideration."There is an interest in the Second World War, the role of the Brancaster estate in D-Day, and people want to engage with it," he added."For some, it's a waymarker on the beach - 'Let's walk to that wreck, then head back again.'"I don't know why you would want to do that; nothing is worth the risk."People who blog about it and tweet about it need to make it clear that this is a dangerous part of the world and [it is] an incredibly dangerous thing to do."In a statement, the National Trust said it "continued to work with our partner organisations to manage visitor safety at Brancaster beach".It added: "We would like to take this opportunity to remind all those visiting the coast to be aware of the power of the water and that tides can quickly change, and to read safety signage, which is present at all access points to the beach." With additional reporting by Aimee Dexter Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- BBC News
Salt Path film starring Gillian Anderson to attract tourists to coast
A new film about a woman's 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path with her terminally ill husband could attract more visitors to the area. The Salt Path was written by Raynor Winn about her and her husband Moth's journey from Somerset to Dorset after they lost their home, livelihood and found out about his illness. Starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Issacs, the film showcases Minehead, Porlock and other locations along the Exmoor Coast. Councillor Mike Rigby, the lead member for economic development, planning and assets at Somerset Council, said: "Filming is great for the economy and attracting visitors to places seen on screen." The film is released in UK cinemas on 30 May and was shot in 2023. Emma Thomasson, chief executive of Visit Exmoor, said: "The Salt Path highlights some of Exmoor's most stunning locations, and the film's release offers a unique opportunity to showcase our diverse coastal landscapes and vibrant communities."It was made with the help of Screen Somerset and the South West Coast Path Association (SWCPA) as well as Exmoor National Park, Visit Exmoor and Visit Somerset. Julian Gray, the director of the South West Coast Path Association, has said The Salt Path book has already sold more than one million copies and is "inspiring people to walk the South West Coast Path".He added: "It's expected that most visiting film sightseers will stay at local hotels and B&Bs and eat at local restaurants and pubs, so the film will be beneficial for the regional visitor economy."
