Winning entry from John Rogers

The winner of the 2011 Manchester Day Parade Photo Competition has now been chosen from an album of spectacular entries.

John Rogers, of Fallowfield, claimed first prize with his photo depicting the larger than life puppets of Manchester music legends, the Gallagher brothers surrounded by an assortment of colourful people caught up in the festival spirit.

The judges were impressed with the photograph’s carnival atmosphere and the vibrancy of the colours that creates an image that encapsulates the heart and energy of Manchester Day.

Susie Jones

John’s effort will be rewarded with a top of the range digital camera donated by the Manchester Day’s founding sponsor, Siemens, at an award ceremony in September.

Susie Jones, from Cardiff, and Tule Sirikitputtisak, a researcher at the University of Manchester, scooped the second and third prizes and will both receive a range of photography equipment.

Councillor Pat Karney, Chair of Manchester Day, said: “The range of pictures from this year’s photo competition has been really impressive. They all, in their own way, show the parade in all its colourful splendour, but the energy captured in John’s picture

Tule Sirikitputtisak

really made it stand out from the crowd.”

Justin Kelly, Head of Strategy and Communications at Siemens Industry, said: “Looking at all the imaginative and interesting pictures from this year’s parade has really reinforced the fact that Manchester is a hub of innovation. Our congratulations go out to John for taking the winning photo – he’s really captured the atmosphere and vibrancy of the parade. Siemens has once again been a very proud sponsor and John’s picture provides a lasting record of another fantastic event.”

Steve Joyce's 2010 winning photograph

Manchester Day Parade photographic competition.
Supported by Siemens

Calling all amateur and part time photographers!

Thousands of amazing photos were taken by members of the public attending last year’s Manchester Day Parade and some were entered into the first Manchester Day parade photographic competition.

This year we will be running another Manchester Day Parade photographic competition kindly supported by Siemens, Manchester Day’s founding sponsor. The competition is only open to amateur photographers and the judges are looking for photographs of the parade which best capture the spirit and atmosphere of the day.

Enter to win great prizes including

1st prize Olympus EPL2 camera with lens, memory card & bag
2nd prize Canon Ixus 220 HS – Compact camera kit with battery, memory card & bag
3rd prize Flip Mino HD III Camcorder

In addition, we’ll be showcasing all prize-winners, and a selection of the best submitted photos on www.themanchesterdayparade.co.uk.

How to enter
•    Photo’s can be submitted to the competition group on Flickr ( www.flickr.com/groups/mdpcomp/ ) or emailed to us at manchester.day@manchester.gov.uk
•    Each entrant can submit a maximum of two photographs
•    The final date for submissions will be Sunday 3 July
•    You must include your name, address and telephone number with your entry

The winners will be announced here on Friday 22 July

Manchester Day Parade photographic competition terms and conditions

Take a look below for a snapshot of what’s been said…

“At Siemens we are very proud to be part of the Manchester community and were delighted to be a sponsor of this event and celebrate that along with everybody else. Myself and the other members of staff involved in yesterday’s event thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

“Given the impact on the day and the number of people who turned out to watch, the parade was clearly a huge success. Our congratulations for bringing the concept to life and pulling it all together on the day.”
Justin Kelly, Head of Strategy and Communications, Siemens
(Headline Sponsor of Manchester Day Parade 2010)

“What a fantastic day, celebrating the magic of our magnificent City with its fantastic people and ‘can-do’ attitude, never mind London, Manchester’s where its at! Let’s make it an annual event (same date) to promote this great City and everything it stands for! Viva Mancunia!!” Phil Bell

“What a fantastic day, respect and thanks to all who were involved. Hope this becomes an annual event. I went down with my family but wasn’t expecting it to be as great as it was, boy was I proved wrong. A free event (in times when there’s not much money about) celebrating Mancunian achievements and seeing everyone smiling and enjoying themselves made me proud to be a Mancunian.” Dave Callacher

“An absolutely excellent event that just goes to show what a diverse and energetic city this is. All residents should be proud.” Kevin Peel

“What a fabulous day! The results of the efforts put in by all concerned were stunning and covered a wide range of Manchesters cultural heritage. I personally would have liked to see a bit more championing of our musical heritage, but there’s always next year! Well done Manchester!” Penfold, Hulme

“Brilliant day out and reminded me of why i love my city so much!!!” blackandblue

“Well done to everyone involved in the parade. Myself and my young family came to the carnival. It was fantastic and the atmosphere was tremendous. A most enjoyable afternoon.” Leo.Lady

“I can’t think of another city (except maybe the one at the other end of the Ship Canal) that would have the ‘brass neck’ to organise a parade in its own honour – but there’s lots to be proud of and to celebrate.” George Lane

Participant and Volunteer Comments

“I was a knight in the St George’s section. I thought it was a fabulous parade and very well organised. I would like to pass on my thanks everybody who was involved in putting the event together.” Eddie Humphreys, Crumpsall

“As a volunteer (and participant) from the University of Manchester I’d like to thank the co-ordinators, artists and every single volunteer who worked so so so hard for such an incredible event. Also a massive thank you to everyone who came and watched, I’m glad everyone had a fun day out.” Loz Rod

“As a volunteer I feel qualified to reply to umpire2! Did some help with the creation of parts of one section of the parade, and helped out and marshalled on the day. I got an incredible amount from it, a real sense of achievement at having created something, a chance to meet a wide range of people from all kinds of backgrounds, some of whom had amazing stories to tell, a sense of pride at being part of this brilliant city, with the wonderful people who took part in and supported the event – and a lot of fun.” am

We were very impressed at how well organised it was and how well informedwe were kept, leading up to the parade. Also we were most impressed with Naomi Parker who made our fantastic costumes. If given the oppportunity we would love to be part of it next year.” Dee-Anne, Free Expression Dance Bloco Novo

“We were completely inspired – I adored the whole concept of it”
Parade participant

“I have had people tell me that it was the best day of their 25 year career with the service” ~
Parade participant

“It was good for us to get a lot of us together, from different levels and from different teams…..all these people you would not see on a day to day basis, you see them once in a blue moon…it was great to be on a level playing field, not only with colleagues but with everyone taking part in the parade. … after that it was common ground, and it makes the team stronger”
Parade participant

“I was moved to tears as float after float passed. Thank you Manchester City Council for such a brilliant afternoon…thank you for also making me feel a very proud Mancunian.”
Parade spectator

“The community engagement was massive – it made the day”
parade participant

Steve Joyce's winning photograph

The 2010 winner was chosen from hundreds of photographs entered into the Council’s Manchester Day photography competition.

Steve Joyce‘s winning shot depicts the Spirit of Manchester figure, which led the parade, and was inspired by the Rolls-Royce Spirit of Ecstasy emblem, apparently leaning over the Town Hall and kissing the famous clock tower.

Photograph by Keith Flamee

Judges were impressed by the photograph’s sense of perspective to create an image that it was felt encapsulated Manchester Day.

Steve now wins a top-of-the-range digital camera donated by Siemens (the Manchester Day sponsors), while he and runners-up Keith Flamee and Mike Bibby also win a range of festive goodies.

This year we will be running another Manchester Day photographic competition. Details of how to enter and prizes are still to be confirmed suffice to say that you will need to bring your camera on the day and capture some of your personal favourite parade entries.