When John Dewdney wrote to the Daily Echo expressing his delight at our new weekly camera club features his message was more than just the thoughts of a happy reader. Praise for the talents shown by members of Echo Camera Club Dorset group has been widespread but Mr Dewdney wrote as someone who had gained more than a pretty picture from their efforts.

The 84 year old Mudeford resident, who spent a lifetime working in the great outdoors, thought his Parkinson’s had cruelly taken his ability to enjoy the views he so loved. But when he opened the Daily Echo and saw the first of our special supplements he was thrilled to find he’d been given back the ability to visit those special places once more through the lenses of local photographers.

Mr Dewdney said “I’ve always been an outdoors person which is why it’s so hard for me not to get out and these pictures have bought a bit of life to me. It bought nature into my life again after beng denied it, when I sit and look at those picture I get the feeling I’m back with nature again”.

When his email was shared with camera club members, messages of support flooded in and the group immediately decided that Mr Dewdney should judge the latest club competition which was themed Dorset Autumn Scenes.

John took up the challenge and chose his portfolio of 10 finalists from more than 130 entries and his praise for the photographs was glowing.

John selected a photograph of a cobweb in the undergrowth above a mist bound Corfe Castle as the winning image earning photographer Neil Cureton a £50 voucher to spend with Castle Cameras. He remarked “I do take my hat off to the photographers, I really think they deserve all they praise they get”.