The second Chew Valley Nature Photography Festival, held at St Andrew’s Church, Chew Magna brought the community together to celebrate the beauty of the Chew Valley and to give thanks for God’s creation. The Festival was the culmination of a number of events held throughout the year designed to encourage people to enjoy, reflect on, and care for the creation.
In April, the Festival team hosted a 6am dawn chorus walk around Chew Valley Lake finishing with breakfast for 30 people in St Andrew’s Church. June saw the church host the first Richard Brock Memorial Lecture, honouring the renowned Chew Magna resident who was a naturalist, natural history film maker, producer for David Attenborough and environmental campaigner. In July the Festival team organised a Bat Walk around Folly Valley.
The photography festival opened with the premiere of a new film about Richard Brock, accompanied by music from the Stanton Drew Handbell Ringers. Across the weekend, visitors enjoyed displays by local conservation groups, and children’s activities. There was a prayer room for quiet reflection. Books on nature and conservation were available to buy, encouraging people to learn more about the environment and the things they can do to take better care of it.
The photography competition attracted nearly 500 entries, from which the 2026 Chew Valley Calendar was created. Profits from sales will support St Andrew’s Church. The weekend concluded with a Festival service led by Bishop Michael who spoke about Luke 12:22-31 and reminded us to place our trust in God while caring faithfully for the world he has made. The service featured a Festival Benedicite, with elements of the Chew Valley, from butterflies to jumbo jets joining in the praise. Woven throughout the photography exhibition were spiritual and poetic reflections and each calendar image was paired with words by the poet John Clare to remind visitors of the importance of the natural world and our role in caring for it.
Despite showery, windy, weather there was a steady stream of visitors throughout the weekend, sparking many conversations about the environment, conservation, the Church and faith. The Festival received an enthusiastic response, with photographers and conservationalists eager t take part in the future. The organising team are already planning fresh ideas for 2026.
To see all the winning entries and the images which will appear in the calendar visit the festival website.
Images from left to right
- U12 Birds and overall winner Sophie Green
- U18 landscape and overall winnder Toby Widdows
- Landscapes adult winner Jill Toman
- BIRDS adult winner Tony Rowe
- Plants and overall adult winner Simon Carder