THE broad sweep of the spiritual journey Redditch took from Bordesley Abbey to Church Green and beyond is the subject of a new photographic competition.
Organised by St Stephen’s Church and Webheath Photographic Club, the aim is to show aspects of the Christian and industrial expansion of the town from the banks of the River Arrow to the top of the hill where the church stands today.
The remit was devised by Dennis Moore of Webheath Photographic Club with the town centre chaplain and vicar of St Stephen’s Reverend Paul Lawlor.
“As a club we had not done what I would have called a community activity and I thought about doing something in and around St Stephens,” said Dennis.
However a meeting with the Rev Lawlor resulted in the original idea being powered up to a more ambitious project effectively encompassing the entire history of Redditch.
“It’s a very broad theme which covers everything influenced by humans from Bordesley Abbey up to the town today,” said Dennis.
“That journey can take in anything from St Leonard’s Church in Beoley, to Ipsley Church or Tardebigge to the industrial development of the town, in fact anything which has had the influence of humans on it.”
Indeed Redditch became the needle and spring making centre of the British Empire, and Dennis said he may concentrate on that aspect for his entry into the competition.
Billed as ‘From Field to Factory – a practical and spiritual journey – a town on the move’ the photographs will be judged on Thursday, June 29 by the Revd Lawlor and Michael Krier of Cheltenham Camera Club before being exhibited in the Kingfisher Shopping Centre from July 1-13.
The winner of the competition will be awarded the inaugural St Stephen’s Cup.
