The Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Scheme had a great response to its autumn short film competition and had a difficult task picking winners but three films stood out as capturing the beauty of the landscape and very personal responses to it.
There is no shortage of wonderful landscapes across the Land of the Fanns and many of these have been discovered or rediscovered during 2020’s lockdowns. These landscapes are full of surprises and untold treasures. Straddling the London – Essex boundary and encompassing an area of south west Essex. Thurrock, Brentwood, the London boroughs of Havering and Barking & Dagenham, the Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership Scheme aims to reconnect local people to this area, strengthening local attachments to it, and encouraging enjoyment of it. The three winning films in the autumn short story competition all contributed to these aims.
In first place was Mark Tilbury’s evocative and moody film about a footpath walk beginning in Buttesbury, a place he has discovered and come to appreciate during lockdown. The film entitled Beyond the road captures his very real connection to the landscape here and demonstrates how important getting out into nature has been and continues to be for everyone in the current situation of lockdown and restrictions. He has returned to it many times with his camera, on foot or on his bike. Mark said “It’s a great place to unwind and escape the crazy in the world”.
Second place was awarded to Bob Stevenson for his charming and wistful film of Langdon Hills and its Peter Rabbit Trail. Bob too has a very personal connection to this site, recalling how he likes to take his grandchildren to discover the Beatrix Potter characters nestled among the trees.
Paul J. Young’s beautiful photography of the carpet of bluebells at Nursery Wood in Bedfords Park won 3rd place. Paul made this film in the Spring, for his mum, as she was very upset that she couldn’t walk about in the woods anymore due to the lockdown. The film is an optimistic look forward to warmer, sunnier times.
Benjamin Sanderson, Land of the Fanns Scheme Manager said “Some fantastic and thoughtful entries to our film competition, a real reminder of the value of being able to access and enjoy the Land of the Fanns landscape, I’m already looking forward to spring!”
The winning films can be seen on the Land of the Fanns website https://www.landofthefanns.org/celebrating-places-special-to-you/ and Facebook page. Check here for future competitions and activities.
The Land of the Fanns is based at Thames Chase Forest Centre. Thames Chase Trust is the lead partner in Land of the Fanns project. The other partners are: Forestry England, Thames Estuary Partnership, Brentwood Borough Council, London Borough of Havering, Essex County Council, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, Thames21 and Thurrock Council.
