A Swindon primary school pupil has won a national award for her photography.
Martha's winning photograph
The Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town runs the annual Rotary Young Photographer Competition for students in the area, and is delighted that one of the local student entrants this year has won the National Award for their age group.
Martha Wood, who attends East Wichel Primary School, won the local heat in the Junior age group, and her photograph then went on to the district and then to the national competitions.
A local Rotary spokesperson said: "Very deservedly her entry was judged the National Winner, a wonderful achievement by Martha."
A total of 68 students from Swindon primary and secondary schools and colleges entered the 2025-26 competition, the theme of which was ‘Happiness in Nature’.
There are three age groups, Junior, Intermediate and Senior, and local heat winners go on to the District Competition. Winners from District are then entered for the National judging.
The Rotary Club of Swindon Old Town has been running the Young Photographer Competition annually for this area since 2015, and has previously had district winners.
Martha is the first a winner at National level, and the spokesperson said: "We have always been impressed by the quality of entrant’s photographs, showing imagination and a range of photographic techniques, and the competition is a great opportunity for young people to try out their photographic skills in an enjoyable way.
"Martha and other winners and runners-up in the local heats were recently invited to the Mayor’s Parlour to attend a prizegiving hosted by the then Mayor, Cllr Fay Howard.
"All of the winners and runners-up received framed certificates and book tokens, which were provided by the Rotary Club, and the local age group winners received trophies, and the runners-up received medals, kindly donated by Dignity.
"Those placed first, second or third in the District heat also received additional certificates and tokens, presented by the Mayor and the 2025-26 Club President, Stephanie Trinci."
As a national winner, Martha will also receive another trophy, voucher and certificate from RIBI, Rotary International Great Britain & Ireland.
The spokesperson said: "We are delighted by Martha’s success, and appreciate the support of local schools and colleges and their staff in promoting the competition, and hope it may inspire students interested in photography to enter the 2026-27 competition in the Autumn."
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