A CARE home is running a photo competition.

Straven House, in Queens Road, Ilkley, has launched its second annual photographic contest.

A spokesperson for the home said: "Entries are being received via email and anyone can take part. There are two categories: one photo of nature in the Ilkley area - could include animals or insects, but not people - and the second category is taking a photo from your window, for those who are isolating and cannot get outdoors. You can enter both categories.

"Our residents and David Witt from The Camera Shop will judge the entries and there will be prizes to the value of £20 including gift vouchers from The Camera Shop and a framed print of the winning photo. Entries no later than Friday, 18th September."

Entries should be sent to stravenhouse@warmestwelcomeltd.com.

Meanwhile, staff at the home have thanked the community for their support during the coronavirus pandemic.

The spokesperson said: "We have really felt loved and supported. It has all put a huge smile on our faces and made lockdown that little bit easier to bear.

"For example, some lovely cakes from our neighbours arrived out of the blue on our doorstep on a few occasions.

"Simon Ravens, a piano teacher in Ilkley, put together a pupils' concert video - titled 'Concert for Our Local Care Homes'. Our residents loved watching the children play. It brought back memories of their childhood piano playing days for some.

"Les Goldman organised and coordinated the volunteer musicians rota, at the request of the Ilkley Coronavirus Response Group. This would allow residents to listen through the window, or to come out and listen at a safe distance from performers and each other of course. These were such a lovely treat for our residents in a time when they could not have any visitors. Les said that the performers have all really enjoyed being a part of the scheme.

"Another lovely volunteer came to help us with the garden. She is a neighbour of one of our carers and has been a tremendous help during lockdown and continues to do so. Her years of experience in her allotment and her own garden provided much needed advice on which plants are the best to buy and to actually plant them one rainy gloomy day!

"It inspired some of our residents to do a bit of gardening themselves and we planted sunflower seeds and various pansies and violas. It is a real talking point amongst our residents."

The home also praised the local Scout and Beaver group - Ilkley Christchurch Scout Group - for their support.

In June, the Scout Association ran a “Care for Care Homes Campaign” in response to the Covid-19 crisis, collectively setting out to achieve 10,000 acts of kindness.

Ilkley Christchurch Scout Group encouraged members to participate and several Beavers, Cubs and their families painted beautiful artwork and a mural to brighten up residents' bedrooms.

The Scouts painted 'kindness rocks' during one of their weekly online ‘Zoom’ meetings, with many Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and their families doing the same at their leisure. Designs included rainbows, hearts, animals etc and these are now brightening up Straven House and its garden.

A spokesperson for the Scout group said: "It’s been a truly great community effort from the whole of Ilkley Christchurch Scout Group, their families and friends."