The final meeting of the year and we had the extra treat of mince pies provided by Zoe Sampson at the interval. As there were no notices Ann was able to get the meeting underway immediately.
This month was a chance for club members to show what they have been up to in a session called “Beat the Clock”. Six members took up the challenge: –
Alison Johnson, Joan Clough, Steve Elliott,
Robert Nicklin, Keith Brown, Judy Smith.
Each presenter was allowed to show as many photos, (or as few) as they wanted but they had to make sure that they beat the 10 minute clock.
Alison Johnson showed us a range of photos from her visits to a variety of locations as far spread as Cornwall and Australia. The title of the presentation “A bit of this and that” gave us only a hint of the variety and quality of her photos. Beautiful landscapes of both the Cairngorms and Cornwall were interspersed with wonderful photos of birds, squirrels and dolphins. Slightly nearer to home were some scenes from the Quarry Bank mill and also the Hope show. The spectacular Sydney harbour bridge and the opera house were followed by the wonderfully named Tasmanian Devil.
Joan Clough gave us photos from “A Year in Brough” which included the terrible damage caused by the floods and the excellent efforts that went into rebuilding the Brook wall and adjacent road. Beautiful snow scenes and a stunning sunrise, reminded us that sometimes we don’t need to venture far from our own doors if the conditions are right.
Steve Elliott chose the weekend he spent in the Lake District during which he was blessed with the most wonderful weather for photography. Loughrigg tarn, Elterwater, Ullswater and Rydal Water were all photographed in the perfect calm that allowed stunning reflections of mountains and sky. Glimpses of the Langdale Pikes and Honister pass were also captured in near perfect conditions as was the much photographed Slaters Bridge and a gorgeous sunrise over the Brathey river.
Robert Nicklin explained to the many uninitiated, the basics of dating sites and the kind of photos that are commonly posted.
He had taken the trouble not only to do the research but then chose to stage photos of himself in many of the stereotypical poses that he had frequently seen. The audience were not only amused but entertained and a little in awe of the time and trouble Robert had taken in acquiring and arranging the props for some quite tricky and well posed portrait shots.
After the break for a mince pie and a hot drink it was time for Keith Brown to give us his presentation titled “Sunday in the City”. This was a visit by Keith and Sam around various haunts including a bank in which Keith once worked, which is now a rather unique venue to dine. Keith was particularly impressed with the vault door preserved as part of the toilets! Apart from St Pauls they also saw the emblem of the Worshipful Company Of Goldsmiths and the wonderful views from the tower block where Sam works.
Last but by no means least was Judy Smith and “Animal Trails”. Judy has been hunting out the artistic interpretation of the many animals used to entertain the public and also to raise money for local organisations. Her presentation began with the “Bears” in Leeds that raised £100,000 for the hospital. Judy then showed us the frogs of Stockport and pointed out that the maps you buy to locate the animal art dont always make it very easy. Her third set of photos were the sheep in Newcastle which raised £193,000 for the hospice. Last of all came the photos of the Buxton snowdogs of which there were twelve, all raising money for Blythe House.
Thankyou to all six members for a great evening and we’ll see you all in January.