BackCompetition launched to build up a snapshot of our streets in 2009
On Thursday 13 August, national charity Living Streets turns 80 years old. On that day, we want you to join people around the UK and take a photograph that captures the essence of a street you know. We want you to help build up a picture of our streets in 2009 – and maybe even win a great prize!
80 years ago, on 13 August 1929, Living Streets was formed to campaign for better streets for people on foot. Originally called the Pedestrian's Association, we were set up to campaign for streets that put people first, and are safe, attractive and enjoyable to walk around in. Within our first year, in response to the carnage on our roads, we were campaigning for the introduction of driving tests, compulsory third party insurance and footpaths for rural roads.
80 years on, we are still the national voice for pedestrians and work hard to create great streets around the UK for us all to enjoy, and to make walking the natural choice for short journeys. We want you to help us celebrate our anniversary this year, by taking part in a fantastic photographic project. We want people up and down the UK to take a photograph of a street they know and love, at some point on Thursday 13 August 2009.
The best entries will be displayed on our website, and used in a publication that will go to parliamentarians, the public, and be a lasting marker of the day. All abilities, all angles, all streets are welcome - the winners will even get a £50 voucher for photographic equipment. Our campaigning work to improve our streets will carry on, but on 13 August we want to take a moment to celebrate what's good about our streets today.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
“Living Streets is the oldest campaigning organisation for pedestrians in the world, and our 80th birthday is a great opportunity to take stock of what our country is like for people on foot today. Whether its people stopping for a chat, children playing, colourful planting or your neighbour nipping out for a pint of milk - we want you to try and capture the essence of why your street matters to you. Together, the snaps will create a picture of what we love about our streets in 2009.
““While our name and image may have changed over the past 8 decades, we are still campaigning for the same thing the people who met in 1929 knew was needed: to prioritise people over traffic. Our message is every bit as relevant as it was in 1929, if not more so. We are all pedestrians at some point in the day and we plan to continue our hard work to make that an enjoyable experience, not a traumatic one for people around the UK.”
For details on how to enter, and the terms and conditions for the competition, see www.livingstreets.org.uk or phone Charlotte on 020 7377 4900. Both digital and print images are welcome.
Notes to editors
For any press enquiries, please contact Anna Powell, Press Officer at anna.powell@livingstreets.org.uk, tel: 020 7377 4914.
Living Streets, celebrating its 80th birthday this year, is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.
We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80 year history. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits. Since then our ambition has grown. Today we influence decision makers nationally and locally, run successful projects to encourage people to walk, and provide specialist consultancy services to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces.
Published on: 10/08/2009
