WE ALWAYS thought Gloucestershire people knew how to enjoy themselves – and now we have the proof.

These pictures were snapped by members of the Cheltenham Camera Club in the first of a monthly competition being run in the Echo.

We're giving members a different theme each month and challenging them to come up with an inspiring picture. For August, the title was "Gloucestershire on Holiday". So congratulations to Aleks Gjika – our first monthly winner. The Echo's judges felt his picture, simply called "Upton Fayre", best represented the county at leisure.

It also captured the popular county sport of skittles in an unusual setting.

Aleks closely pipped Mark Stone to the prize. Mark's picture "A Lethal Brew", taken at Tewkesbury Medieval Festival, was a great shot – both for the photographer and the fire-eater.

Cheltenham Camera Club welcomes new members. Its new season starts next Thursday with a meeting at the Holy Apostles Church Hall, London Road, Cheltenham – from 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start.

Enthusiasts of all ages and levels of experience meet and share their appreciation and knowledge of photography. The club normally charges £2 for non-members with single membership costing £33.50, but is offering newcomers the chance to attend up to three meetings for a nominal fee.

So go along and have a look. You never know, one of your pictures could win the Echo's competition in September.

For more on the club, see www.cheltenhamcameraclub.co.uk.

OPINION, P8