After a couple of statutory items, Anne Nagle gave a very comprehensive report of this seasons events and achievements, adding that she felt we were improving as a club with our results. She then mentioned especially how much hard work Glenn Donnelly had put in on our behalf as our first Publicity Manager, and how successful she had been at the job. Well done Glenn. She will be missed and we do need someone to carry on the good work. Anne herself will carry on in the meantime as she is to stay on our Committee.
We then had the Treasurer’s report which was all good news as we made a profit. Last year we had to buy a new projector which resulted in us making a loss. Our thanks go to Norman Kirby who kindly audited our accounts, who found Janet’s hard works allin order.
Then followed the Competition Secretaries reports which prompted some discussion about labelling and preparation of entries generally.
The Election of Officers followed starting with the Chairman. Anne is standing down having done a really good job during her two years in office and now it is the turn of Chris West, who is relatively new to the world of camera clubs, though not new to clubs in general. He has already brought some new thinking to the club and I am sure this will continue. He has shown his enthusiasm for photography by getting his LRPS and by trying for his ARPS as well!
The club will be in good hands for the next four years with the appointment of Ray Foxlee as Vice Chairman.
Our brilliant and hard working Secretary Daisy Kane is carrying on, as is Janet our Treasurer, who also 'meets and greets' and writes the reports of all of our competitions. She reminds me of a lettuce, a ‘Little Gem’. They both deserve medals for all their work.
David Burton has taken on the job as Programme Secretary and our two Competition Secretaries have agreed to carry on for another 12 months, but would like to take a rest soon. So, we want a couple of apprentices to assist them next year ready to take on the jobs after that. We also need another volunteer to take over publicity from Anne as soon as we can find someone.
Liz Barber is to continue with our exhibitions and although I was billed as her assistant, she does all the work.
As we have not found anyone to do the external competitions it looks as though I will still be doing that job. I am, though, leaving the committee after about 15 years, during which my main job was Print Secretary (prior to John) and Exhibitions. Anne very kindly presented me with a gift and also one to give Paul after all his hard work on the committee and doing the job of Vice-Chairman twice.
The final member of the Committee, and by no means the last, is our technical wizard and Webmaster Martin Tomes. He has been on the Committee since God was a boy. He does a lot of work behind the scenes like turning up with a car filled to the brim with equipment every time we hold an outside event. He also edits my reports cutting out inappropriate bits which might see me in court!
Then on to AOB. Audrey Gray wondered if anything might be done to improve the sound at our competitions particularly. Sitting nearer the front was the best she could get, or failing that, a hearing aid. However, some useful ideas were forthcoming to improve visibility.
Chris then gave us the dates for the summer activities, August 2nd for the BBQ at his house (please park at the Sports Centre). The field day out will be at Hayling Island on August 17th.
He also reported on the results of the survey which more or less said that we were doing things about right, but gave us some new ideas for the future.
By now the clock was fast approaching 9 pm and no cups yet presented!
After tea they were handed out to the well deserved recipients as follows:
- The Anonymous Cup for the Photographer of the Year to Ray Foxlee LRPS
- The Dixon Cup for the Print Worker of the Year to Ian MacWhirter ARPS
- The Taylor Cup for the PI worker of the year to Ray Foxlee LRPS
- The Emmett Cup for the Print of the Year to Di Walker
- The Petworth Cup for the PI of the year to John Gauvin
- The Rowling Cup for the most improved print worker of the year to Daisy Kane and Peter Picthall
- The Picthall Cup for the most improved PI worker of the year to Martin Tomes
Very well done to all of them.
Finally, with the clock ticking, we started the auction run by two of our resident comedians Alex and John. They set off at a cracking pace and shifted books, plants and some very odd items of photographic equipment in double quick time. Peter Picthall had brought some items of equipment (a lighting set amongst others) kindly donated to the club by Peter Ashley”s Widow Muriel.
Peter was a very well respected and loved photographer who belonged to Chichester CC but who judged a couple of smaller competitions for us.
Anyways up, the lads raised a very creditable £200 plus for our lettuce to bank. Very well done to them.
We then all left, laden with stuff which we did not really want, having had another good evening, as we have done throughout the season.
(can I go to bed now please?) yes [Ed].