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Photos capture allure of Dumfries' 'Venetian palace'

Ray Cartwright A close-up view of an old brick mill building with arched windows and plants sprouting from the roofRay Cartwright
Six-year-old Ray Cartwright, who took this shot, won two sections of the competition

Photographers including a talented six-year-old have been capturing the allure of a disused mill in Dumfries, designed to resemble a Venetian palace.

They were invited to take shots of Rosefield Mills as part of a photography competition organised by the Dumfries Historic Buildings Trust (DHBT).

The group bought the site on the banks of the River Nith in 2018, and is working with consultants on a plan to bring it back into use.

It said this work is "ticking along" and the group hopes to share more details "very soon".

Geoff Piltz A black and white slightly eerie image of the brick front of the Rosefield Mills buildingGeoff Piltz
Work is ongoing to look at ways to bring the building back into use

Amateur and professional photographers were encouraged to take part in the competition and had a chance to take photos inside the mills during an open weekend in May.

The competition had two sections - one for the mills building itself and another for images of other industrial heritage sites in the region.

The judges said they had a difficult time choosing the winners from such a "great selection of unusual and imaginative images".

However, they ultimately selected the top four.

The winners for photographs of Rosefield Mills were Ray Cartwright (Under 18) and Tom Burns (18 and over).

Nick Ward A dilapidated mill building on the banks of the River Nith in Dumfries with plants growing all around it and over itNick Ward
The mill building sits on the banks of the River Nith in Dumfries

The industrial heritage winners were six-year-old Ray Cartwright in the under 18s category, and Kirsten Bax (18 and over).

Luke Moloney, who chairs DHBT, said: "We are so pleased with all the images which were entered into the competition, and especially delighted with the winning images which will be used to help promote and engage people about Rosefield Mills.

"In particular, the judges were impressed with the work of six-year-old Ray Cartwright, who won in both categories."

Prizes were presented to the winners at a ceremony on 2 July.

Tom Burns An aerial view of the disused Rosefield Mills building in Dumfries with other industrial buildings nearby and the reflection of trees in the River NithTom Burns
The trust which bought the building hopes to share more plans for its future soon
Callum Malone Another black and white view of a corner of the mill building with people milling about outsideCallum Malone
An open day was held to allow people to take photographs
Ali Hill A section of an abandoned building with open wooden boards and plants springing out of wallsAli Hill
The competition was open to views of Rosefield Mills and other industrial sites
Kirsten Bax Disused rusty canisters lined up against a wallKirsten Bax
Kirsten Bax won the industrial heritage section of the competition
Ray Cartwright An old light switch or power switch against the wall in a disused industrial buildingRay Cartwright
Ray Cartwright was a double winner in the event