New Year Greetings!

After a short break over Christmas, the Club is back in full action with a very busy period to start the New Year. Please do check out all the dates that follow.

Thursday 4th January –  we opened 2018 with our hosting of the second round of the  SCPF 2nd Division PDI League (that is the Federation’s eight competition rounds between clubs in the second division each hosted by one of the competitor clubs).  Ken Scott had been lined up as the judge, but with a demotion for Chichester and a promotion for Steyning (Ken’s home club) at the end of last season, both club’s are in the same league and so it was not appropriate for Ken to judge.  The good news was that we were very pleased to have Caroline Crawley back with us again after her recent visit to judge the SCPF Print Competition we hosted in December – and of course as our Annual Exhibition judge last summer.  Caroline’s a very popular judge and always a pleasure to have with us – and we’ll see her again at the end of February, this time presenting her work rather than in judging mode.

This was the first ‘official’ outing of the new projector and it was very satisfying to see such excellent projection.  There’s been a tremendous amount of backstage activity to resolve some of our technical problems, both on projection and sound and many thanks are due to all those concerned in getting these sorted out – not least to Ian Hutchinson from Southampton International Exhibition who kindly gave up a Sunday afternoon to assist us set up the new projector and make sure it is up to the mark.  Be warned though – while the quality of the projection is very, very good, the higher resolution will show up any flaws such as dust spots or weak cloning – as Caroline pointed out on a number of images on Thursday.  

Friday 5th January – the ladies of the Club met for lunch to mark ‘Little Christmas’, or ‘Nollaig na mBan’, a rather splendid Irish tradition that is kept on Twelfth Night when the women put their feet up and the men undertake all the household tasks.  With Twelfth Night falling on a Saturday this year, we met a day early, whihc coincided with Margret Preece’s birthday – a big birthday with a zero, and we were delighted to surprise Margret with a cake and her daughter caroline joining us for lunch.  Happy birthday Margret from us all!

Monday 8th January – the first PAGB meeing of the year slips to the second Monday this month due tot he Bank Holiday last week.  See the PAGB page to find out more about how this group supports members who wish to enter salons or go for PAGB distinctions.  7pm in the small hall – all welcome.

Tuesday 9th January –  the first Print Group of the year meets in the small hall at 7.30pm.  Bring along work in any stage of development to discuss or for advice – all welcome.

Thursday 11th January –  Dave Mason, street photographer extraordinaire presents Life. Not to be missed!  

Friday 12th January – Set up time for North Mundham, strong arms required at 3pm at Tangmere Village Centre to collect the exhibition boards and set up at North Mundham.  All exhibitors should set up their own panels from 5.30pm.

Saturday 13th January –  North Mundham opens at 10am – Sheila Tester is still looking to fill catering slots and calls for cakes please, while Carmel Lynch would like any unwonted Christmas gifts, spare bottles of wine or other items for the tombola.  Ann McDonald will be looking for volunteers to look after the reception desk.  And Margret Preece is taking bookings for the dinner in the evening.

Sunday 14th January – the second day for North Mundham with close at 4pm.  All exhibitors must clear their own panels please.

After which we can all take a bit of a rest!  All very good wishes for a happy, productive  and successful photographic 2018.

Margret Preece with her daughter Caroline and her birthday cake, caught on camera by Lynne Owen