ManifoldCAN 2027 calendar - now taking pre-orders!

First came the Manifold Valley photo competition, then the exhibition, and now the ManifoldCAN 2027 calendar! This has been such an enjoyable project, from seeing all the amazing photos entered in the competition (we're only sorry it wasn't possible to include every one in the short list!), through to the wonderful exhibition at Butterton Village Hall - it was lovely to see so many people gathered together, sharing their enthusiasm for the photographs, the Manifold Valley, and the delicious home made cakes!

Here are the winning photographs for our 2027 calendar, selected by our judges, plus the front cover photograph, chosen by public vote at the exhibition

January

sheep looking at the camera in the snow

‘You Look Interesting’, Weag’s Barn, Grindon by Susie Eardley

February

Sleeping Dragon stone sculpture on the moors in evening sunlight

‘Sleeping Dragon’, Revidge by Angela Glover

March

trig point on hill with sun setting on the horizon

‘Ecton Hill at sundown. Set high above the Manifold Valley with far reaching views over the Staffordshire moorlands’ by Emma Carter

April

Redstart sitting on Hawthorn branch in dappled sunshine

‘A Redstart sitting in the morning light’, Fawfieldhead, by Josh Roe-Knight

May

wild garlic flowering in spring woodland

‘Wood garlic - photographed whilst doing the Leaden Boot Challenge walk!’, Musden Wood, by Martin Dowson

June

Curlew flying over meadow in summer

‘Curlew having a nice glide around the fields of Reapsmoor. Taken just before dusk. Beautiful and peaceful bird of the Peak District’ by Paul Machin

July

A freshly cutmeadow in the sunshine with dark clouds

‘Freshly cut meadow’, Newtown, by Claire Wolstencroft

August

View of Thors cave in evening sunshine with sheep in the foreground

‘Thor’s Cave’, Wetton Hill, by Sharon Critchlow

September

Barn owl flying over meadow in evening sunshine

‘A young barn owl on an exploratory flight. Very lucky to see on a bright evening with the sun lighting up the feathers & long grass’, Reapsmoor, by Alan Benson

October

people walking by the ManifoldRiver and standing on stone bridge over river surrounded by autumnal trees

‘Autumn at Ilam Park along the Manifold River’ by Melanie McDonald

November

‘Breakfast Family Meeting’, Hulme End by Jennifer Wilson

December

Snow covered road and field with trees, and a barn in the distance

‘Deepdale, about one mile South of Grindon’ by Malcolm Cadenhead

2028

Painted lady butterfly on lesser knapweed by Manifold trail pathway

‘It was a perfect day full of nature, but the icing on the cake was the butterflies along the path back to the ice cream’, Manifold Trail, near Hulme End by Phil Lyon

Front cover

Barn owl flying and another barn owl sat on an open window of a stone barn

‘Both owls in the picture are youngsters, and were taking short flights to adjacent trees before returning to the safety of the barn on a lovely warm sunny evening’, Reapsmoor by Alan Benson (Chosen by public vote)

Our local graphic design company, BonnerMcHardy, are now putting the finishing touches to the calendar design, and we expect the calendar to be printed and back with us by early November.

The calendar will have a month-to-view layout with large grids for easy planning, A4 size (opening to 29.7 x 42 cm). Printed on FSC 100% recycled silk paper.

£10 per calendar, with free local Manifold Valley collection / drop off available, or £2 p&p

All proceeds after printing costs will be used for ManifoldCAN activities - thank you for your support!

Click to pre-order calendars

A huge thank you to our panel of judges who had the difficult job of choosing the winning photos from all of the fantastic entries!

Sue Prince is an award-winning contemporary folk artist based at her family's farm in the Peak District. Sue uses natural pigments and processes to create art that celebrates rural life and shares stories of people and their places.

Alana Wheat is an environmental researcher & sustainability advocate based at Keele University, and a trustee for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust (SWT). Recently, Alana has got to know the Manifold Valley while supporting local nature groups through SWT's Nature in Your Neighbourhood project.

Geoff Shoults is an award-winning landscape, mountain, and travel photographer, whose work is widely published (e.g. in Lonely Planet guides and National Geographic). A lifelong resident of the Peak District, Geoff has plenty of experience of capturing the rugged beauty of the area

Selection for the calendar was based on:

  • Quality and clarity

  • Composition

  • Representation of the area

  • Seasonal balance across the calendar

The final winner was chosen by public vote at the photo exhibition, and will feature on the front cover of the ManifoldCAN calendar!

Use of Images

  • Copyright remains with the photographer, with ManifoldCAN having a non-exclusive license to:

    • Use selected images in the ManifoldCAN calendar

    • Promote the calendar and competition

    • Use images on the ManifoldCAN website, social media, newsletters and publication

  • Photographers will always be credited