Tilly THrough the Lens: Summer in Thornton Heath
WATH Photo Competition – August 2025
This competition has been organised by We Are Thornton Heath, not Thornton Heath Community Action Team.
We’d love to see Thornton Heath summers through your eyes. Whether it’s a photo you already have, or one you’re about to take. Think places, faces, lost venues buzzing with life…
The winning photo will be featured:
✨ On the WATH app launch page (front and centre for all to see!)
✨ In prime position in our 1st September newsletter sent out to 600 locals
✨ On our social channels — with credit, of course!
How to enter
Firstly, you’ll need the latest version of the We Are Thornton Heath phone app. It’s free, fully THCAT approved and safe to download from your phone’s App/Play Store. You can learn more about it here: thorntonheath.net/WATH
Head to the “Tell us about it” section in the app (that’s the feature where you can send us info, tips or photos — you’ll find it by clicking “more” in the bottom right corner of the app’s launch screen).
You may need to update your WATH app if you see “Reporting” and not “Tell us about it”
Click the “start” button and follow the instructions.
Select “Competition entry” from the Select Issue menu.
Upload one photo only. Add these bits to your submission:
- Where it was taken (must be within one of the three local wards: Thornton Heath, Bensham Manor or West Thornton)
- When it was taken (must reflect summer, but can be a shot you took 30 years ago or one you just snapped)
- Your name (if you’d like to be credited) and anything else you’d like to share about yourself/life in Thornton Heath.
- A few words on what inspired the shot or what it means to you.
- If there are people in your photo, confirm you’ve got their permission for us to share it
Once done, click submit.
Questions? Ping us at action@thorntonheath.net with WATHcomp as the email subject– but remember, photo entries must come through the app.
Timeline
Photo entries open: Thursday 1st August
Deadline to submit: 11:59pm on Saturday 23rd August
Voting opens: Sunday 24th August (in the app — keep an eye out! We know how hard it can be to pick a favourite, so you’ll have two votes)
Voting closes: Friday 29th August
Winner announced: Monday 1st September
Example entries:
Trumble Gardens, early evening, 2012. Submitted by: Alex R. “I was walking my dog and we took a moment to rest under one of the trees. The birds were singing and the playground was buzzing with life, reminding me how magical this place feels in summer.”
Iris, Thornton Heath resident since 1989. “This is Jay, he used to run the old shop on the corner of Beulah Road. He always had the friendliest welcome. I used to pop in for sweets during the summer holidays. This photo was taken around 1999 outside the shop.”
Simeon, 39. My partner and I moved to Thornton Heath 3 years ago. This piece of street art outside the station always brings a smile to my face when I get off the train from work. Taken with my phone on the 1st August 2025.
The small print:
- Only one photo per person
- Photos must clearly show somewhere in Thornton Heath — not just a flower close-up that could be anywhere!
- Positive pics only (no shots of mammoth fly-tips or overflowing park bins please)
- No blurry/low resolution shots
- Any entries that don’t follow the rules may not be included — we’ll keep it as fair for everyone as possible.
Can’t wait to see your shot! Happy snapping!
