Teesside University puts Darlington in the picture

Three images reflecting what Darlington means to a trio of amateur photographers are on display at Teesside University's new Darlington campus.

A competition asking people for photographs depicting what Darlington means to them was launched to mark the official opening of the University’s new £13m campus.

And now the winning photographs will be unveiled during an Open Day at the new Darlington campus, to be held from 10.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday 3 September.

The winners of the three age categories are Callum Muxworthy, Violet Ferguson and Pauline Pentony, all from Darlington.

Visitors to the University’s website voted for their favourite photograph, with the three winners each receiving photography vouchers worth £100.

Pleased to see photos on display Callum won the 11 to 16 age category with his photograph of Triptych Yard. He said: 'My photography teacher at Longfield School told me about the competition. I took lots of photographs around the town, looking at buildings and trying to show things which people might not even realise are there.'

Callum, 16, who is about to start at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, added: 'Having a campus in Darlington will be good for younger people, as it means the University is now much closer to us, it’s right on our doorstep.'

Violet’s photograph of a swan won the 17 to 21 category. Violet, 17, is about to start a photography course at Cleveland College of Art & Design. The former Carmel College student said: 'I really like South Park, where I took the photograph of the swan, so chose that as my entry. It was difficult choosing which photograph to enter I’m really pleased to see it on display at the new campus.'

Pauline, 54, combined new and old aspects of the town in her image of Darlington Clock Tower, which won the category for photographers aged 22 and over.

She said: 'I wanted to combine two eras, showing the past through the old building, alongside the bright red telephone box in an abstract way.'

The mum-of-one, who has a disability affecting movement in her arm, recently decided to return to education. She said, 'I felt I was on the scrapheap because of my age and disability, but a few years ago I did an art and design A-level at Darlington College and then went on to begin a Commercial Photography foundation degree course at Cleveland College of Art and Design.

'I’ve been taking photographs for about six years, but never really thought I’d make such progress. It’s marvellous to think that people visiting the University’s Darlington campus will see our photographs.'

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