(Above) Mat Ricardo's Rollerbladers
The snap was the overall winner for GreenSpace, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund, who organised the campaign to mark their £600 million investment in improving UK public parks.
“I’m so thrilled to have won the competition," said the 41-year-old joker. "These rollerbladers inspired me as they were clearly having so much fun together,"
Ricardo impressed judges Mike McCartney – brother of Sir Paul and a celebrity photographer by trade – Angela Nicholson of Amateur Photograph Magazine and Tim Kerr from the Press Association.
"It’s wonderful to see people out and about loving and using their parks and this photo captures the spirit of that perfectly,” said McCartney, who praised the “energy and surprise” of the photo.
Rollerbladers will be exhibited at the Southwark Park Café Gallery and be distributed as a postcard at Lottery-funded venues and public parks.
“This winning shot is just one of many great photos in the exhibition that demonstrate the huge popularity and versatility of our parks,” added McCartney.
HLF Chief Executive Carole Souter, who has overseen multimillion pound cash grants to schemes restoring famous landmarks including Battersea Park, Southwark Park, Bushy Park and Victoria Park, said the competition had “demonstrated the importance” of green spaces.
“Parks need constant care and attention, often relying heavily on community support, volunteers and on-going investment to keep them in good condition,” she pointed out.
“We recognise this and are proud to play a key role in supporting such an important part of our country’s cultural heritage.”
Exhibition runs at Southwark Park until September 12 2010.
