Last Thursday (21 July 2026) we held what we call our OPS “Mini-Warwick” Internal Competition. The idea of this is to give our members a flavour of what it is like when the club enters the real “Warwick”, the Photographic Alliance Inter-Club Projected Image Challenge, a National event, which will take place in July at the Warwick School.
The Rules
We slightly simplified the rules this year. Entrants begin with their chosen bank of up to 11 images. From their bank, each entrant uploads 5 images into the first round. The judge is able to see the first round beforehand, but not the banks.
After judging the first round, the aggregate scores are taken. The members with the top 4 aggregate scores are then invited to compete in the final. This is where tactics come in, as entrants can only re-use up to three images from their first round and they must add at least two new images from their pre-loaded bank or even enter five entirely new images from their bank, in a game of tactics. Sounds complicated but it’s really very easy!
The Outcome
Our judge was Steve Proctor from Chorley (the club that won the actual Warwick event the last three years). He gave us a nail-biting evening. Our four finalists were Eddie Leach, Jane Henthorne, Andrea Wilson and Christine Widdall. Seven other entrants retired gracefully after Round 1.
The final scores were very tight. Eddie won the event with Christine and Andrea in tied second place and Jane only a point behind. Below are the images that scored 19 or 20 in the final. For sure it was a sport and nature final…just one creative and one portrait sneaking in to the top marks.
The PAGB Event and Tickets
The national event, the PAGB 2026 PDI Championship, for which we have pre-qualified to represent the Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union, will take place on Sunday 19th July 2026 at Warwick School, Myton Road, Warwick, CV34 6PP.
Tickets cost £15, personalised and pre-booked only, from pagbhost.co.uk/
Log in or register for an account. Go to Services>Event tickets. Payment is via PayPal
Please note that only food purchased on site may be consumed on the premises. Lunch grab bag tickets will be available to purchase at a later date. There is ample parking available, and attendees are welcome to picnic in their cars as an alternative.
The event begins at 10:30 am; however, arrival between 9:30 am and 10:00 am is recommended.
Usually about 38 clubs take part. After 2 rounds, the top 8 clubs will contest the final and the remainder will contest the runners-up Plate Competition. We need to come in the top 8 clubs (or win the Plate) to pre-qualify for next year. Whatever happens, we will be meeting up for a snack on the way home at one of the motorway services.
Please arrange any car sharing privately.
Wish us luck!