In February 2025, we wrote a spotlight feature about Fernhurst Hub. We decided to return in April 2026, to find out more about their recently advertised 2026 photography competition. Paul, who has volunteered at the Hub for 24 years (with just one week off in all that time!), served us teas and we settled into the comfy tub chairs for a chat with Liz (the Hub’s manager) and two volunteers, Ramy and Sarah. As is often the way with our spotlight features, the conversation took us off in all kinds of directions…

The Fernhurst Hub 2026 Photography Competition

Firstly, to the business in hand, the Fernhurst Hub’s 2026 photography competition…

This is the second year of the competition and it is organised by Sarah and Ramy. Sarah explained, “It’s a lovely way for us to source pictures not just to decorate the Hub walls but also to include our favourites in the Fernhurst calendar.”  We were interested to hear that The Fernhurst Calendar has been produced for more 20 years. Here’s a reel to show you the high standard of pictures that were chosen for their 2026 calendar.

The themes for this year’s free-to-enter photography competition are Nature, Architecture or Light and Shade. There are two judging rounds - one to select the top ten images from the exhibition that include images from Fernhurst and the surrounding areas and the second judging panel will select 12 images from the exhibition to be used in the 2027 calendar (with a preference to more local shots).

If you are interested in submitting photos, you are advised to email Sarah on artfernhursthub@gmail.com. She will send you an information page and a submission form. If selected for the exhibition, you will then be emailed a confirmation.

Photographers are able to submit up to 6 photographs and the submission deadline is 20th June 2026. Images (.jpg format, minimum 300dpi) are to be sent to Sarah with your name, photograph title, and the month it might suit if you wish your photograph to be considered for publication in the calendar. Your photographs will be displayed in the Hub in August.

We did warn you at the start of this feature that the conversation went off in all sorts of tangents….

Other exhibitions at Fernhurst Hub

Sarah explained that there are exhibitions running throughout the year at the Hub. They fall into four broad categories and draw a lot of interest.

· Open Call exhibitions. Local artists have the opportunity to submit up to 4 pieces of art and for a £10 hanging fee if their work is selected and put on sale at Hub for a small commission. Last year, 19 of the 65 paintings on display were sold. Again, Sarah is your contact for more information.

· Photography exhibition (as outlined above).

· Solo exhibitions. The current solo exhibition is Wendy Denham a talented Fernhurst-based artist who produces works with acrylics and mixed media. The exhibition has only been running for a few days and (at the time of writing) four pieces have already been sold.

· A recent Textiles exhibition gave the crafters at the Hub’s Crafty Cuppas (2nd & 4th Fridays of the month, 2pm - 4.30pm). In this exhibition, makers had the opportunity to display their textiles and embroidery pieces.

Liz told us, “These exhibitions allow us to elevate our hub walls with beautiful art and they can be a lovely opportunity for our Hub Art Group and our Craft Club to have their work on display.”

About Volunteer Sarah

Sarah takes the lead on making these exhibitions a success. It is a huge task which she enjoys. She shared, “In the Open Call, it is often the first-time that artists have seen their work in an exhibition. It’s a welcoming space for artists and just lovely for people to see their work on display.”  Sarah is a self-taught artist herself with a marketing background. She is on Instagram here. Having submitted much of her own work into various Open Exhibitions, she knows how special it is to have your artwork on display. It’s not just about hanging paintings, there’s a wealth of planning, admin and correspondence with the artists. Her time and skills are a gift to Fernhurst Hub.

What Makes Fernhurst Hub So Special

Sarah also runs children’s afternoon craft sessions at the Hub in the Summer and volunteers in the café on Monday afternoons. She travels to the Hub from Liss to volunteer and we were curious to hear what motivates her. She explained, “I came to the Hub shortly after Covid. My daughter was at university and I was looking to give back. I have never before witnessed such a strong community, somewhere so caring as at the Hub. It is really quite magical what happens here. It has a positive impact on so many people’s lives in the village. It’s a special place.”

Liz added, “We feel it’s a blueprint for every village. It’s a community space that is safe, welcoming and comfortable. My father-in-law comes to the Hub most days and he has made friends here. Every day is different. The Hub is amazing and we all feel so passionate about it. Teenagers help in the café on a Saturday, and all our counter volunteers are lovely. There are so many activities. It is a vibrant space.”

As we were leaving, we got up from our tub chairs and rearranged the beautiful appliqued cushions, all made by Sarah. She waved us goodbye saying, “This is the very essence of community. I always go home skipping.”

Pictured: Sarah Brown, Fernhurst Hub Volunteer, with Wendy Denham's paintings displayed in their current Solo Exhibition