A competition to discover the photo that best captures the nation’s experience of lockdown has begun and the chosen picture could win a grand prize of £1000.
As social distancing measures continue to transform the daily activities we all once took for granted including how we work, socialise and raise our children, the public are being asked to share snaps that document these extraordinary times.
The competition is hosted by Stockport-based printer company Cartridge Save.
Speaking on the competition launch, Managing Director of Cartridge Save, Ian Cowley, said: “Recent months have transformed our nation beyond recognition.”
“We have a responsibility to future generations to document these changes for posterity [and] I’m really looking forward to what our hunt for the nation’s most iconic lockdown image produces.”
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The competition will be split into three categories – under 18s, 18-50, and over 50s.
Up to 25 photos will be shortlisted. These entries will then be made available for public vote, which will account for 25% of the final judging and then a judging panel will then make their final decision by selecting a winner of each category, as well as an overall winner who will take the cash prize.
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Cartridge Save
The competition will be judged by national journalist Deborah Linton and national press photographer Mark Waugh.
Deborah Linton, whose work regularly appears in The Guardian, Sunday Times, The Telegraph, Grazia and The Huffington Post, said: “The coronavirus outbreak has had a huge effect on ways of life across up and down the country, in countless different ways.”
“It is the role of storytellers to document what these changes looked and felt like so we can share in one another’s experiences.”
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Mark Waugh added: “My career has been built on a very simple formula: that the most captivating stories are the ones that unite photos with words, and there’s no bigger story in our lifetime than the coronavirus outbreak.”
“Photos are incredibly powerful storytelling tools [and] as they say – a picture is worth 1,000 words.”
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The competition is now open to the public and entries must be submitted before Monday 20th July.
Entrants under 18s category will need to submit their entry with written parental permission.
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The top 25 entries will be open to the public vote from 6th August, the panel of judges will be making their final decision towards the end of August and winners will be announced on 8th September.
You can read full T&Cs and submit your entries via the Cartridge Save website here.
What's On
Manchester’s biggest comedy festival announces jam-packed lineup as affordable tickets go on sale
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s most popular comedy festival is back later this year, and there’s some massive names on the lineup set to bring the laughs.
After proving to be a smash-hit success in its inaugural year back in 2022, and several other successful runs in the years following, Laughterama is back in Manchester in early September, and will once again be taking over the iconic Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city centre for five days of fun.
Thousands of comedy lovers attend Laughterama each year to enjoy countless sell-out stand-up sets, and this year will be no different, as festivalgoers are in for an ‘explosive series of shows‘ from some of the hottest names on the comedy circuit.
Jack Dee, Nick Mohammed, Sara Pascoe, Fern Brady, and Chris McCausland are just some of the famous names on this year’s jam-packed lineup.
They’ll be joined by other big names like Michelle De Swarte, Stewart Lee, Nina Conti, Ivo Graham, Ellis James, and Harriett Kemsley when they all take to the Castlefield Bowl stage over the five-day festival from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September.
Some of the other names you can expect are BAFTA nominee Rose Matafeo, stand-up marvel Sarah Keyworth, Plebs and Friday Night Dinner star Tom Rosenthal, and podcast hero John Robbins.
Laughterama returns to Manchester later this year / Credit: Matt Eachus | Supplied
It wouldn’t be Laughterama without some newcomers and breakthrough stars, of course, and on the lineup this year are viral sensation Vittorio Angelone, fast-rising talents Kiran Saggu and Jen Nolan, and BBC New Comedy Award finalist Evaldas Karosas.
And aside from the comedy, as always, you can expect the very-best eats from Manchester’s street food scene will also be on site to tuck into, as well as an exciting selection of bars serving signature beers, cocktails, and more.
Laughterama 2026 is landing at Castlefield Bowl from Wednesday 2 – Sunday 6 September, with tickets now on sale at £29 per person.
You can grab yours on the Laughterama website before they sell out here.
What's On
A Greater Manchester run club is taking on a 24-hour ‘Everest’ memorial and charity challenge
Danny Jones
A Greater Manchester run club is set to take on an impressive 24-hour feat of endurance dubbed the ‘Everest’ challenge later this week, and it’s all for charity.
Yes, running on behalf of not only a nearby organisation but also in memory of a beloved native, this deeply moving event will see the group of Trafford runners going up and down hills for a whole day.
We’ve seen the huge growth of the flagship Manchester 24-Hour Run Against Homelessness over the past half a decade – which has now spread to multiple other cities – and it’s great to see similar formats springing up across the region.
Set up by Batch Running Club, who are based in Altrincham, the Everest challenge gets underway this coming Friday and will run (pun very much intended) into the weekend.
Sharing a lengthy post on social media, they wrote: “On Friday, 5th June at 6pm, our amazing running club will begin a 24-hour challenge running backwards and forwards over Moss Lane Bridge near Tesco in Altrincham.
“Our goal? To cover the equivalent elevation of climbing Mount Everest — at least once, maybe even more! We’re taking on this challenge to raise much-needed funds for Trafford Carers Centre in memory of the wonderful Jim Edward Parsons.
“A couple of years ago, as a running club, we chose to support Trafford Carers because of a personal connection within the Batch family. Bards, owner of Batch Bottlestore, saw first-hand the incredible support Trafford Carers gave his mum, Kirsty, while she cared full-time for his stepdad Jim.
“Their help made a huge difference during an incredibly difficult time and ensured Kirsty never felt alone in her role as a carer.”
Unfortunately, Jim sadly passed away last December, and so in an effort to honour his life and support the crucial care network that has not only aided local families but touched so many other lives in the process, they’ll be taking on the ‘Big Tesco Hill’ for 24 hours straight. WOW.
As the poster would suggest, it runs right past the main Alty Tesco. (Credit: David Dixon via Geograph)
Having been lucky enough to enjoy the downhill version of that very same hill as part of the Manchester Marathon, we can only imagine how difficult it is running back up it in the other direction…
Encouraging people to come along and join, or even just come along and support as volunteers and/or cheer on from the sidelines, they’re hoping to complete as many laps as time will allow and, more importantly, raise as much vital funding as possible.
They signed off by adding: “This charity is incredibly close to our hearts, and Jim will always remain at the centre of why we continue supporting Trafford Carers.”
We hope 2026 is just the first of what will become a worthwhile annual fitness fundraiser; you can donate to the charity run HERE.
Counselling with Trafford Carers Centre
Counselling is an opportunity for you to explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe, supportive and confidential setting. Our trainee counsellors are here to help you through this process without judgement or giving advice. pic.twitter.com/AkaaAROaO4
Emily Sergeant -
11th June 2020 
