Brian Bracher from Emsworth has won Chichester BID’s Rediscover Chichester competition with his artistic photograph of Chichester Festival Theatre. Daphne Ormerod and Heather Gratwick were also highly commended by the judges for their entries.
The competition was launched by Chichester BID in April, just after lockdown, to encourage locals and visitors to share what they love about Chichester. Over 30 entries were received for the competition, which closed on 31st July, and included photos, poems, stories and paintings all relating to the city centre.
Entries were judged by Helen Marshall, CEO and Vice Chair of Chichester BID, Gary Shipton, Editorial Director of JPI Media, Danielle Dunfield, CEO of The Great Sussex Way and Stephanie Thorndyke, Manager of Novium Museum and the Tourist Information Centre.
Brian Bracher’s entry was unanimously chosen by the judges for his artistic interpretation of the city’s famous theatre. He is the lucky winner of an incredible prize which includes an overnight stay at Chichester Harbour Hotel & Spa, a meal for two at Purchases Bar & Restaurant, a treatment at Jane Bulbeck Salon and a £200 Chichester Gift Card that can be spent at participating retailers, eateries and salons in the city.
Helen Marshall of Chichester BID said: “On behalf of all the judges, I would like to congratulate our winner. It was a very difficult decision and we were overwhelmed with the quality of the entries. I would like to thank everyone who entered as well as our judges and the local businesses who have provided fabulous prizes.”
She continued: “After this very challenging year, we really wanted to celebrate the reopening of the city and showcase the eclectic shopping, vibrant art scene and café culture that we have here. This competition has done just that, shining a spotlight on the beautiful city and initiating a rediscovery of the green spaces, picturesque spots and buzzing high streets which make Chichester so special.”
Daphne Ormerod was highly commended for her photos of Chichester street art and the Sussex Oak war memorial in Litten Gardens while Heather Gratwick was recognised for her sentimental poem about the city. Based in America, Heather speaks of her longing to return to Chichester to visit family who she has been apart from as a result of the pandemic.
Stephanie Thorndyke, Manager of Novium Museum and The Tourist Information Centre, comments: ‘It is wonderful to see Chichester being rediscovered by locals. The winning and highly commended entries illustrate a rich variety of spaces and perspectives of our distinctive city. The element of difference or surprise, along with a feeling of emergence, made these high quality entries stand out for me.”
See some of the fantastic entries below:
Winner – Brian Bracher 
Highly Commended – Daphne Ormerod 
Highly Commended – Heather Gratwick 
Highly Commended – Daphne Ormerod 
Amanda 
Max 
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j_ellen_28 
Amanda 
Footsteps Through TIme
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Footsteps Through TIme