Winners of the Medway Queen Preservation Society photographic competition

A stunning photograph of a submarine moored on the River Medway won the top prize in a photography competition.

Amateur photographers from across Medway took part in a competition run by the Medway Queen Preservation Society, in conjunction with the Parkwood Camera Club.

It is the first time the society has staged such a competition and last Saturday, the winners and runners-up were presented with their prizes at a ceremony held at its visitor centre in Gillingham.

Glyn Bareham, from the Kent County Photographic Association, judged the entries and prizes were presented by the Mayor of Medway Cllr Josie Iles.

The overall winner was Robin Hart-Jones for his image of the Black Widow, a former Cold War Russian submarine, now moored on the River Medway at Strood.

Photographers could enter three categories: nature on the River Medway; work and play on the River Medway and riverscape on the River Medway.

Mr Hart-Jones, who is from Rainham, entered his image in the riverscape category.

Others who won categories were Robert Radford, from Gillingham, who scooped the top prize in the work and play category and David Penfold, from Rainham, who won the nature category.

The winners were given custom-made wooden bowls made with the original oak from the Medway Queen, with brass plaques engraved with their names, plus a book on the Medway Queen by Richard Halton.

They also received their image printed and mounted to competition standards by the Parkwood Camera Club.

The winning images will be on display at the Medway Queen Preservation Society’s visitor centre, in Pier Approach Road, Gillingham, until 4pm tomorrow (Saturday).

Sandra Thompson, from the camera club, said: “The Parkwood Camera Club likes to assist in local activities and events in the local community having given their time to photograph local football matches and wheelchair football.

“If you would like an event photographed please contact us and we will endeavour to help you.”

Members meet on Mondays (second week of the month on Tuesday) at Parkwood Community Centre, Parkwood Green, Rainham.

For more information go to www.parkwoodcameraclub.co.uk