Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th December 2022
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Winners of RSPCA Young Photographer Awards revealed
Ben's image of a mountain hare at sunset scooped first prize in the prestigious RSPCA photography competition.

Ben Harrot scooped first prize for his image of a mountain hare at sunset.

The winners of the 2022 RSPCA Young Photographer Awards have been revealed, with 17-year-old Ben Harrot clinching the top prize of a weekend photography break.

Ben was crowned overall winner for his image of a mountain hare at sunset. Judges praised his ability to capture the rare encounter with such a shy animal, and the bravery of the near-abstract composition.

He said: “I’m so happy that the judges liked my photo of a Mountain Hare so much. Winter at my local moorland is often cold, and this particular day was freezing! The winter sun was out which didn't help at all, and after walking for hours I finally spotted this mountain hare. 

“After an hour of steady approach, I was the closest I've ever been to a mountain hare. The sun was setting, and the mountain hare was fully relaxed in my presence, so I was able to photograph this individual up close as the sun was going down.”

This is not the first time Ben has won an award in the RSPCA annual photo competition for young people. In the 2021 awards, he was named runner-up in the portfolio category for a series of red fox images. 

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards invites youngsters aged 18 years and under to capture the animal kingdom on a camera or a mobile device. 

Other prize winners included Lily Logan from Yorkshire, who was a runner-up in the 12-15 mobile category with her portrait of Angus the cat; Thomas Easterbrook, from Buckinghamshire, whose image of an orange tip butterfly was commended in the Small World category and Demmi Havenhand from Northumberland for ‘Baby Face’, her portrait of puppy Carrie, which won the Pet Personalities category. 

The judging panel included wildlife photographer, TV presenter and RSPCA vice president Chris Packham; wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby, former competition winner-turned-professional photographer Catriona Parfitt; professional wildlife photographer and photographic guide Ellie Rothnie; and RSPCA photographers Andrew Forsyth and Emma Jacobs. 

Ben received a weekend photographic "Deer Rut Special" break with the crew at Natures Images of award-winning wildlife photographer Danny Green. Winners in each category also received trophies and a variety of gifts. 

Image (C) Ben Harrot/RSPCA.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.