Putting youth in the picture (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Putting youth in the picture

AN exhibition of photographs taken by youngsters in the Stour Valley will provide a snapshot of contemporary life in Shipston and surrounding villages.

The pictures were all taken on disposable cameras, given to young people as part of a competition organised by Dash - Drug Action Shipston.

The entrants were told to record images that they felt summed up life in their communities, with the chance to win a digital camera for the best.

The pictures will be on display at the Townsend Hall tomorrow night and Saturday daytime. The prize- giving will be held at 8pm tomorrow.

Dash was set up about three years ago to address the issue of drug abuse in the Shipston area. Since then it has employed two outreach workers and organised numerous events for young people, including discos, public meetings and trips.

The action group includes representatives from local authorities, education, health, police and the area's Lions Club.

Doug Harris, membership chairman of Stour Valley Lions, said: "The photography competition was about bringing the generations together and showing that young people are capable of doing worthwhile things in their own community." He added that all of the organisers had been delighted by the quality and quantity of the entries in the My View competition.

The exhibition at the Townsend Hall will be open from 7.30-9.30pm tomorrow and from 11am-4pm on Saturday.

It will also feature a number of historic photographs of the local area alongside drug awareness posters created by children from Shipston Primary School.