Chairman's Newsletter No. 13

Dear Member,

                       With just 12 entries for the Print Panel Trophy our judge Barry Day was expecting an easy ride. Barry spent time previewing the prints and them stated that "it will not be easy picking a winner tonight".

The entry may have been disappointingly small but it was certainly of a good standard. Well done to Roy Lambeth taking the gold with his panel 'a Different Life' Silver went to Lynn Lambeth's images of a Mosque in Morocco and John May's Butterflies and Moths took the bronze. 

Print Boxes.  Your committee need to dispose of 28 wooden print boxes in order to make space and reduce the combustible material in the loft. These boxes could be used to store your old mounted prints, those that you simply cannot tear yourself to dispose off. Please make contact with John Walter if you would like some or all of them.

Discussion on advancement.  As there was plenty of time after the panel competition we took the opportunity to have a general discussion on the concerns raised about the clubs PDI assessments. The committee had spent some time talking about it and produced a proposal. During the discussion points were made about how the club has reached our current position, the standard of the entries, reasons behind the proposal and every member present given the chance to air their view. It May have seemed to be a fragmented committee unable to agree but that is not the case, it's democracy at work. In the end the meeting voted for the status quo and it should be raised again at the next AGM.

One question that was raised and I would like to again publicly state both the clubs and my position on advancement.  Our club is well respected within the SPF and other photographic organisations, however we always struggle to gain the top places in our various external competitions. It is the committees and defiantly my intention to raise the standard of ALL of the members work, remember my statement when taking over as chairman "using all possible means" that still stands.  Enough said eh!  However should have a particular photographic concern please feel free to approach any of us and someone within the club will help out.

Co-opted committee members.   Again may I ask for some help from the members, we need ( it in the constitution) to fill vacancies on your committee. We need your help to set up the hall and to close it down at the end of the evening, currently John Walter and I are arriving well before the meeting starts to set up and are always the last to leave and frankly it is becoming a chore for both of us.

Next meeting is Leo Rich giving a slide presentation, Leo is always fun to listen to and his images are usually excellent.

Regards and keep snapping

Terry