Home Is Where The Heart Is photo winner gets Bandeira treatment

FLASH, bang wallop - what a prize-winning picture!
Paul Dishman's prize-winning photo was tuned into this art work by our cartoonist Graeme BandeiraPaul Dishman's prize-winning photo was tuned into this art work by our cartoonist Graeme Bandeira
Paul Dishman's prize-winning photo was tuned into this art work by our cartoonist Graeme Bandeira

Meet our Home Is Where The Heart Is family photo competition winner Paul Dishman and his clan whose entry has been turned into a Christmas cracker of a prize by our cartoonist Graeme Bandeira.

He recreated the photo in his caricature style usually reserved for the likes of Boris Johnson, Dominic Cummings and others in the headlines.

But not everyone is laughing.

Wife Sue, aged 65, a retired teacher, now knows what it's like to get the Bandeira treatment.

"He better not bump into my wife. But I'd have a laugh with him. My wife says it's very good and funny if you're not the subject of it," laughed Paul, also 65, of Leeds.

"I'm looking to frame it. But I might get some opposition.

"Looking at my wife's face it's a definite no to send it out as a Christmas card. I might send one to my mum and my sister in Newcastle, definitely. It would make them laugh.

Home Is Where The Heart is family photo competition winner Paul Dishman with his grandchildren and Graeme Badeira prizeHome Is Where The Heart is family photo competition winner Paul Dishman with his grandchildren and Graeme Badeira prize
Home Is Where The Heart is family photo competition winner Paul Dishman with his grandchildren and Graeme Badeira prize

It also features his daughter Kat Leonard, her husband Neil and their two children, Jessica three, and Noah, one.

"There are elements of me and I can see my son-in-law. He says it makes him look like Freddy Mercury.

"I must admit I don't recognise the jumper I've got on but he's made that look festive."

The YEP teamed up with Rentplus - turning renters into homeowners through rent to buy - to launched a Home Is Where The Heart Is photo competition, asking readers to share their favourite family photos to remind us all of good times while socially distanced in lockdown.

Paul Dishman's prize family winning photoPaul Dishman's prize family winning photo
Paul Dishman's prize family winning photo

Paul, a retired photographer and former council worker took the picture to test the timer on a new camera after they gathered to celebrate his wife's birthday on New Years Day - unaware of the year to come.

His youngest daughter Beth, 29, missed out on being in the photo because she was still recovering from celebrations the night before, said Paul.

"Beth just saw the cartoon and said, 'I'm glad I missed that now!," said Paul, of Woodlea Gardens.

"I took the picture with my camera on a tripod with a 10 second delay so had dragged the sofa out from the wall to give us room. We had numerous attempts for a serious one, all of which ended in failure with people blinking, the kids playing up or me not getting there in time. I ended up giving up on the formal once and saying just ham it up with daft grins and gestures. I liked this one and have a copy on my wall."

Paul said this year's events and having to social distance had made the photo even more special as he explained how he has been unable to visit his 95-year-old mum in Newcastle since March.

"This year's events do make people think. I mean, I must admit, if we were not in this childcare bubble and had our grandkids one day a week looking after them while their parents work, we'd have struggled through this.

"They are precious times really with family."

YEP Editor Laura Collins with Rentplus Area Manager Alasdair Manson and Head of Marketing Stevie Pattison-Dick judged the entries in a video call.

Alasdair said: “We were blown away by the entries – they made us all smile, and that’s a bit of a rarity at the moment!

“We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part.

“We did not have any hard and fast rules for the judging, but Rentplus believes that everyone should have somewhere to call home and that everyone who dreams of owning their own home should have that chance.

“Some of the entries were clearly taken in people’s homes and gardens, and as that was the theme for the competition, it was fairly easy to spot early leaders!

"There were really heartwarming pictures of several generations in some of the pictures, and lots of happy, smiling people. It was hard to choose between the various shortlisted images, but in the end we made a decision.

“The winning picture encompassed the generational aspect, the family home aspect and also the Christmas element.”

“Congratulations to our winner. And thank you again to everyone who took the time to send in their family pictures – we had a lovely time judging them.”