By Tim Taylor

An award winning young photographer has undertaken his first assignment at the request of a Congleton community group.

Obe, a ten-year-old, was nine when he became the overall winner of the 2023 Rotary-Congleton Young Photographer competition, open to youngsters aged from seven to 17 at all 18 schools in the town.

Last year, there were more than 100 entries from ten schools in the three age categories, all eligible to be chosen as overall winner which was a supreme accolade introduced for the first time in 2023.

Under Rotary safeguarding rules, Obe is too young to have his surname published but many people around his home in the West Heath area of Congleton will know him.

He's a pupil at The Quinta Primary School and his interests include swimming and Broad Leaf Forest Adventures.

One of Obe's recent snaps.

He's also a member of 6th Congleton Scout Group and plays for the Congleton Town Juniors U10 football team.

The Photographer Formally Known As Obe was first choice when Bromley Farm Hub Group decided to organise a photoshoot to celebrate the success of their free Friday morning Play and Stay Group sessions for babies and toddlers up to four years old. 

One of the county's leading professional photographers, John Gauld, is in charge of communications for Rotary-Congleton and one of the Young Photographer competition judges.

John went along to the photoshoot at the community group's Wellbeing Hub in Parnell Square, Congleton, owned by Plus Dane Housing Group.

He watched Obe photograph the Play and Stay youngsters, took a picture of him and offered the youngster some tips.

John said; "I was really impressed by the methodical way Obe set about composing and creating his photography, illustrating the playgroup against the colourful background which forms such an important part of the environment at the Well Being Hub.

"Obe tried several shots lying down and the best one in my opinion is brilliant. He saw it himself, which is amazing for a 10-year-old."

Town Councillor Kay Wesley is on the Bromley Farm Hub Group's committee and another councillor, Susan Mead, is Group Chair.

Kay said: "The team who run the Play and Stay sessions at the hub have been put together by Susan, a business owner who runs a nursery in town.

"The children are expertly supervised playing with the many toys at the hub or going outside to help plant vegetables and flowers in the Friendship Garden and look after The Bug Hotel."

Said Susan: "Stay and Play is a safe place for parents and children to make friends and take part in family friendly fun. 

"Children are given a free healthy meal, the adults can have a drink and a biscuit and always take part in the children's learning activities." 

Teaching and Learning Lead at The Quinta Primary School is Laura Smith, who said: "We were excited to learn Obe was chosen for this photographic assignment. What an amazing opportunity."

Parents living in Bromley Farm who would like Play and Stay information can email Susan on [email protected] or phone 07875 542974. 

Entries for this year's Young Photographer competition will be accepted from the start of October until the end of November. This year's theme is yet to be announced.

For details, email Rotary-Congleton's Competition Organiser, Cath Brown, on [email protected].