Annual Exhibition – A big thank you

Our Annual Exhibition for 2023 is all set out and ready to start. And before we really get going I want to say a huge thank you to all the folks who have been involved in bringing it all together. As a new member said to me this morning, it’s really impressive to see the machinery required to make it all happen, and it feels like a lot of the club have been involved and that’s fantastic.

The working party

First and foremost I want to thank the working party who have been busy since January:

• Andy Dulson managed all the prints – gathering, sorting, boxing, re-sorting, preparing for judging and selection, and then reboxing. He is the mastermind behind the very detailed and sophisticated spreadsheet that tracks all the images, judging results, and the panels. He has also overseen the production of the catalogue and has been involved in almost every meeting and every working session that we have had.
• David Abbott has been there quietly in the background but stepped forward to manage the voting for the Coath and Edmunds, and also taken responsibility for engraving all the cups.
• David Harris as treasurer has encouraged us to be thrifty where possible but also encouraged investment when needed. He will be managing the cash over the coming week.
• David Pritchard led the charge to gain advertising in the catalogue and succeeded in increasing revenue by 75% over last year, including a full page from Goodwood – a real coup. David has also been loyal participant in work parties over the months, ever-willing to lend a hand.
• Jeff Owen has managed all the PDI entries, together with its own database. Jeff, of course, is eternally patient in his IT support for us numskulls who get tied up with WordPress and Dropbox.
• Julia Roberts bravely joined the team without having seen an annual exhibition and has taken a lead with the stewarding, revising the information and working with Sarah on the rota. She and the stewarding team have key roles over the next week.
• Peter Rocchiccioli has been the wise voice of experience about the exhibition and in particular has led the challenging task of overseeing the judging and selection process.
• Sarah Nichol has, as ever, provided dollops of common sense when required, sustained working parties with tea and cake, and led the organisation of the volunteers’ rota. She is masterminding the food and drink this evening.
• Vivien Ruddock has worked tirelessly on publicity, producing flyers and posters, plus posting on social media platforms, such as events listings, Facebook, websites. She has also written invitations to all members of the SCPF and special guests.

I’m sure all of us would give a special mention to Lorna Brown, whose contribution has been unique and immense. She knows all there is about such exhibitions, but she is passionate about this exhibition and the club, and her concern for detail and excellence has driven us all to make this exhibition one of the best (if not the best) in southern England.

When you bump into any of these folk during the exhibition then please buy them cake or a pint (whichever you prefer).

And others……

On behalf of the working party I also want to thank the dozens of you who have also contributed in lots of ways. Too numerous to name, but you know who you are, please take a bow and accept our thanks for helping with: shifting kit from Tangmere to the Assembly, volunteering on refreshments or stewarding, distributing leaflets, selling raffle tickets, putting up posters, stickering, selecting, returning trophies on time, boxing, providing info for the catalogue, chatting up the Chichester Observer, contributing raffle prizes, making cakes, and last but not least of course, entering prints and PDIs. Without you it would not happen.

Tonight is going to be a special evening – a culmination of the season, an inspiration for next year, a celebration of excellent photography, and opportunity to feel very proud of this our club. Enjoy.

Thank you.