THE winner of a charity calendar front cover photograph has been revealed.

Environmental charity, Tyne Rivers Trust, has announced this year’s cover winner is Malcolm Reah with his image of a rainbow stretching across Whittle Dene Ponds.

Whittle Dene reservoirs are part of a water supply system interconnected by streams and aqueducts offering a mosaic of habitats for varied wildlife. The reserve is popular with swallows, swifts, curlew and even the occasional osprey.

Mr Reah spotted his chance to capture the reflection of the perfect rainbow as it stretched over the pond, offering a once-in-a-lifetime shot.

The photograph was picked alongside 11 other images from the Trust’s annual competition to produce its 2024 calendar, showcasing the diversity in the Tyne catchment.

The production costs of the glossy calendar have been covered by EGGER, the chipboard factory which sits alongside the River Tyne at Hexham, as part of its commitment to sustainability and the environment. 

Alongside the rainbow over Whittle Dene Ponds, other images in this year's calendar include the iconic Sycamore Gap, a red squirrel sighting and a drone’s eye view of Lambley Viaduct. Featuring artwork by staff member and artist Simone Savile, the calendar is a special edition for many reasons.

Eagle-eyed buyers may also notice that this year's calendar only shows 30 days in May, not 31 due to a misprint oversight.

Ceri Gibson, CEO of Tyne Rivers Trust, says: “It’s always fantastic to see the beauty and diversity of our catchment captured in print. The fact that so many people want to show support for our work by taking part in the competition highlights the important role that the rivers play in people’s lives.

Every purchase of the calendar helps the Trust to continue its work to reduce flooding through natural flood management, to improve habitat for wildlife and reduce pollution, which is becoming increasingly important as we live through the effects of a changing climate.”

The calendar can be bought from the Trust’s online shop via its website www.tyneriverstrust.org.