20th January

Nantwich CC Exhibition Opens

Nantwich CC's Annual Exhibition is in Nantwich Museum's charming triangular gallery and was officially opened on Monday 16th January (at 2.30pm!) by Angela Graham the Business Development Manager there. Angela is pictured above with some NCC Committee members; (L to R)Wendy Williams, Alison Wood, John Kay, John Dodd, David Foster and Angela.
Below some NCC members (including one-time L&CPU President David Gleave (3rd R)) pose before their impressive print collection. Open until 17th March. See EVENTS.

8th January

Calling all those interested in AV! Please read the PAGB proposals for AV PAGB Awards and respond by 21st January if you wish - here.

24th December

The Big Picture 2011 Malcolm Blackburn LRPS BPE1* of Chapel CC won the Daily Telegraph monthly BIG PICTURE competition with this dramatic stage shot taken in Buenos Aires. He has now been told that the image has been selected as the best of the year and will be published again in the New Year's Eve issue.

Dr Ruth Nicholls DPAGB Ruth, a member of Western (IoM) PS, gained her DPAGB at the last adjudication in November. Ruth says that she "had a lot of help via the excellent (L&CPU) Mentoring Scheme" and had learned that only one other Federation offers such a scheme. She has kindly sent in her full DPAGB submission (PDIs) together with the vital marks, and they can be seen here. All the APM Mentoring information has now been assigned a space on the Downloads page. Thanks Ruth, good to see that the Irish Sea is no barrier to us!

L&CPU AGM Saturday 25th February

The Calling Notice, letters, minutes etc will be published soon. This year the documents will only be protected by a password on the documents themselves, so access should be easier. The password will be sent to secretaries in the weekly email and you will be able to contact the webmaster if you have any difficulties using it. This year the proxy votes facility will be available for the first time at an AGM. The Proxy Form is on the L&CPU page.

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18th December 2011

Tony Pioli gains FRPS and FBPE Tony has joined the few elite bearers of FBPE - the BPE highest distinction, held by less than 20. He also just happens to have gained his FRPS too! Our congratulations to Tony, whose renowned fieldcraft and mastery of photography are well known throughout the region and beyond. He is a L&CPU listed judge and lecturer. I remember trying to book him on what was probably to bitterest, coldest day of the year - to be told he was out taking pictures! That dedication together with spades of talent is what you need to achieve what Tony has. (One shot he took that day later featured on the Countryfile Calendar). His FRPS images can be seen here.

FIAP Club World Cup Successes Wigan 10 came third in the 2011 Club World Cup, with Phil Charnock gaining a Judges Award. Chorley PS and Blackburn & District CC gained 38th and 43rd places respectively. Congratulations to all of you. Feature on Wigan 10's website here. FIAP website. Three other British clubs took part, Dorchester, Wrekin Arts and Devon Eleven!

New Venue? Those cheeky people on the Wirral are suggesting Bob Dennis might use this as the venue for the Judges Seminar or the next Wirral Seminar (looks OK to me!). Well, given a Battle, Bebington v Hoylake with a title Humour and Gordon Jenkins as the judge you might expect a good laugh and stuff like this coming up. Why should we take it all seriously? (Thanks to Diana Magor for this one).

11th December

L&CPU JUDGING SEMINAR - 29th January 2012 - DETAILS

Our seminars are second to none. Usually held every two years in October/November this one is an extra, so
if you are interested act quickly to avoid disappointment.

A BIG THANK-YOU from Bob Dennis

I would like to say a big thank you to all the Clubs, individual members and members of the Executive Committee of the L&CPU who sponsored my charity walk earlier this year. Following my treatment for cancer, I felt I would like to thank the Research people who are developing cancer drugs. To this end I agreed to take part in a 15 mile charity walk in aid of Clatterbridge Cancer Research and my target was £400. In the end, thanks to all your generous support I was able to hand over the final figure of £1565. I thank you all most sincerely. Bob Dennis CPAGB APAGB AFIAP BPE3*

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Mark Power, President of Bolton Digital PS....

... has won a photographic competition organised jointly by the Royal Bolton Hospital and the Bolton News. Following extensive refurbishment of the Maternity Unit at the RBH this year, the hospital decided to run a photographic competition to find an “iconic image of Bolton” to hang in the reception area of the Maternity Unit. Mark’s image, entitled “Babysitting in Moss Bank Park” was selected as the winning entry from a field of over 120 images by a panel of staff from the hospital and the Picture Editor of the Bolton News, Roy Bolton. Mark was invited to attend an unveiling ceremony and photo shoot at the hospital - finding himself on the wrong side of the lens for a change – with an article published in the Bolton News to mark the event.

27th November 2011

Rob Vince

Many of you will know that Rob (Sandbach PS Secretary and one-time L&CPU Execmember had been hospitilised and you will be pleased to hear he has recovered well and is back home. His details are in the Directory if you would like to contact him.

Landscape Photographer of the Year

In addition to the successes reported earlier Philip Thompson of Chapel CC had this lovely mono study commended in the national Landscape Photographer of the Year 2011

Chorley Triumphs in L&CPU KNOCK-OUT

Dianne Owen receives the Best Image Award from judge Keith Suddaby. flanked by Henry Mullarkey (Vice President and Comp. Sec.) and President Christine Widdall.

Jane Lines receives the winning club award on behalf of Chorley PS.

A field of 37 clubs meant that only the first 4 of the 8 submitted by each club could be used. Keith, back in his old stamping ground, kept us well entertained and after a sweetener of allowing everyone through the "first round" he set to work getting critical and scytheing down the field. He felt that borders often weakened an image and another frequent comment was that images should be prepared better for projection by looking to make them bolder and darker - watch shadow detail though.

A great evening with 148 excellent images on view saw Chorley the eventual winners and member Dianne Owen FRPS taking the Best Image Award. Thank you to the all the clubs and congratulations to Chorley. Good to see Lunesdale CC do well and our Print Championship clubs Wigan 10, Bolton Digital and North Cheshire in the top 5.

CLUB RESULTS --- INDIVIDUAL SCORES

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PAGB APMs - L&CPU CLUB MEMBER SUCCESSES

We congratulate the following members of L&CPU clubs who gained awards at this weekend's adjudications-

CPAGB (Prints) Joan Blease ARPS AFIAP BPE2* Warrington P.S. Patricia Tutt ARPS Western (IOM) P.S. Terence Imeson Nelson C.C.	CPAGB (PDI) John Hastings Garstang C.C. Maxwell Knowles BPE3* Preston P.S. John Crashley Preston P.S. Brett Litten Macclesfield C.C. Paul Williamson Ormskirk C.C.
DPAGB (Prints) Robert Millin Hassra Fylde P.S. Bill Preston Whitby P.S	DPAGB (PDI) Dr  Ruth NichollsCPAGB LRPS Western (I O M) P.S

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EARLIER NEWS

Colin Smith FRPS - 1937 - 2011

Last week we were very sorry to be reporting the death Colin Smith FRPS. Colin's natural history photography was legendary in our Federation and beyond. He was very successful with other subjects too as the L&CPU archive bears testimony. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife and daughter and his beloved Wigan 10 Foto Club. Perhaps some way can be found to commemorate the life and work of this talented, generous and modest man - Webmaster.

Wigan 10 have an obituary and some of Colin's last images on their website. Obituary - Recent Images            

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Andrew Charlesworth & Owen Lloyd - Landscape Photographer of the Year Successes

Congratulations to Andrew Charlesworth CPAGB of Nantwich CC and Owen Lloyd of Holmes Chapel CC who have had entries in the Landscape Photographer of the Year commended.

Alone on Twistleton Scar (L) was Andrew's picture and will also feature in the book of this year's entries Collection 5 as will Owen's picture Sunset at Mawgan Porth, Cornwall(R).

A selection of entries can be viewed on the Take a View website. Owen has his own website here.
Anymore out there?

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Bolton Digital PS Retain The Bramhall Inter-Club Print Panel Trophy

BDPS hung on to the trophy they won last year, but by the narrowest of margins. With a panel of four monochrome prints, they held off the rest of a field of 15 clubs from as far afield as Merseyside and South Yorkshire and won by the slimmest of margins on countback... after having come joint first with Wilmslow Guild PS in this annual event. Mark Power’s image, Normandy Flashback, was one of three images to be given the full 20 points by judge Bob Dennis.... but the destination of the trophy was decided on the second scoring prints for each team -  and they were only separated by a single point. The rest of the Bolton Digital entry was made up of images by Joanne Galston, Brian Wilcox and Gerry Gentry. One of Mark's Images is also IMAGE OF THE WEEK this week.

Photographing Ness Botanic Gardens through the Seasons.

On behalf of Ness Botanic Gardens, on the Wirral, Heswall Photographic Society are organising a year long photo competition. The competition will run as 4 seasonal competitions, winter, spring, summer and autumn. The first season starts on 1 Dec, each season running for 3 months. There are a host of excellent prizes, including contributions from Max Spielman, Albelli, Welshot Imaging and many more. There will also be an overall annual winner.

Entry is only £1 per image, Images being written to CD (available free from Ness Visitor Desk, together with a special envelope to allow either posting back to Ness or dropping off in person).

Full details, rules etc are on both the Ness website ( www.liv.ac.uk/nessgardens ) or the Heswall PS website.( http://www.heswallphotosoc.co.uk/)

Focal Points Returns! (Well not quite!)

I know many of us wish that the good-'ole-days of Focal Points were back again but it just became impractical to publish it anymore. It has always been our wish to capture here on the website some of essence of the articles which appeared in Focal Points and this week we have an item about PSA competitions by Diana Magor to start the ball rolling. I have also included a download of Nic Hohne's magazine which he produces for Bramhall PS, this is issue 3 which deals with the History of the Camera.

So some general reading for you then. Please feel free to send in articles for publication here. We have a couple more in the pipeline. One advantage of a website publication is that we can publish "as and when" and also don't have to worry about the cost of printing - and paper- Webmaster.

It is all on the DOWNLOADS page, together with all the other vital items such as the State Of The Union 2011.

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PAGB INTER-CLUB PRINT CHAMPIONSHIPS

On 22nd October at Connahs Quay 36 clubs from all 15 Federations battled for the Trophy. A first round for all clubs saw Wigan 10 in a strong lead (158 to 152) but the scoreboard is then cleared for the second vital round, which sees the top 8 placed clubs compete for the Championship Trophy and the rest of the field for the Plate Trophy. This second round is even more challenging for the top clubs, who have to submit 15 prints, whereas the Plate Trophy battle only requires 5. Wigan 10 eventually took 3rd place. Our two other clubs; Bolton Digital and North Cheshire came a creditable 6th place in the Plate Trophy - it is quite fitting that they should tie when our contest (L&CPU Print Challenge) for a place in this competition was also closely fought.

The other L&CPU success in the event was the selection of Phil Charnock's (Wigan 10) The Defenders as a judges choice for a silver medal.

The number of Natural History prints is limited and there is a mandatory number of mono prints, also prints previously appearing in PAGB competitions cannot be used. Many clubs are new to the competition too, this year there were 8 and 170 clubs have taken part since the event started in 1997. All this means lots of new work to see. With over 300 attending it is a great meeting place too. Mark Saturday 29th October 2012 on your calendar now!

CLUB RESULTS

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SOUTH LIVERPOOL TO BE TV STARS! - From Irene Drummond (SLPS Publicity Secretary)

We thought the L&CPU members  would be interested to know that South Liverpool Photographic Society is to star in a new BBC2 Daytime programme "Britain's First Photo Album" to be shown next Spring. 

The series is about Francis Frith and will cover 40 locations around the UK.  Our claim to fame was that he was a founding member of the Liverpool Photographic Society in 1853, so much of our involvement was discussing Frith's images of Liverpool and talking about how the society has developed.

 I have attached a photo of our President, Martin Reece MBE FRPS, shaking hands with John Sergeant at the end of the filming. FULL STORY

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MPAGB Panels

Delegates at the L&CPU Menoring Seminar said they would like to see some "M" submissions. Here are the two WIGAN 10 ones as promised. Just click HERE. More about the L&CPU Mentoring Scheme.

PSA Successes for Hoylake PS Members

At the recent PSA Conference in Colorado Springs, USA, Diana & Brian Magor of Hoylake PS were presented with the award of EPSA (Excellence) by Fred Greene, President of the Photographic Society of America.  This required at least 700 accaptances in PSA recognised exhibitions.  Diana was also presented with the PSA Travel Division Gold Medal for an audio- visual sequence about New Zealand.  Whilst they were at the Conference, they also collected Proficiency (PPSA - needing at least 288 acceptances) certificates for John & Margaret Sixmith, also of Hoylake PS.

Pictured: Fred Green with Diana and Brian Magor, John Sixsmith, Margaret Sixsmith.

L&CPU PAGB APM Mentoring Seminar

Sunday 25th September, Chorley. There were 50 deligates at the Seminar convened to help those who want to tackle the PAGB distinctions. Work for CPAGB and DPAGB was assessed in the form of PDIs or prints by our 6 judges and mentors seen above; Gwen Charnock, Dave Butler, Phil Charnock, Bob Dennis, Christine Widdall and Gordon Jenkins. The marking and discussions of the work will have been a very great help to candidates because most aspects of the procedure and judging were covered, as well as providing an authoritative guide to how well their submitted work might have done. References etc are to follow but if anyone is interested in having their work mentored they can contact Bob Dennis.

"The ability to have our images critiqued by the panel was tremendous and a valuable part of the session.Such a high calibre of local judges together with all the other mentors and L& CPU committee members giving of their precious time is greatly appreciated."- Delegate.

REFERENCES: Let's start with a submission for MPAGB that the delegates were interested in; Jenny Hibbert's is here. Wigan 10 said they would arrange for their two members' MPAGB images to be assembled. For C and D you can look at the address given by Rod Wheelans in eNews 48, that of Keith Naylor DPAGB, EFIAP, BPE4* C is here and D here.

Added 17th October: Link to Wigan 10 MPAGB Folios. L&CPU Mentoring by Christine Widdall from PAGB eNews 51

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National AV Championships

Our Competition Secretary Henry Mullarkey and PAGB President Peter Cheetham at the National AV Championships where the L&CPU gained second place in the Federation Competition. Wilmslow Guild AVG were winners once again of the Club Award and members Colin Balls, Howard Gregory & Suzanne Walker together with Keith Storey and Howard Davies of Lytham St Anne's were very successful in the individual competitions. MORE PICTURES and RESULTS

News from Lytham St Annes PS

Julie England is seen here receiving her LIFE MEMBERSHIP from President Barry Colquhoun. Lytham have extended their work with local schools. Audrey Marsh Roll of Honour presentation - new picture. (Picture: Alison Greenwood LRPS) Read the full story.

Audrey Marsh Elected to Roll Of Honour

It was announced at the Delegate Meeting that David Bibby and Audrey Marsh were to be elected to the Roll of Honour. David received his award at the time, the presentation to Audrey was made by our President, Christine Widdall, at the Lytham St Anne's Photoshow on Monday, 8th August. This lovely shot shows Audrey receiving a bouquet from the club presented by Julie England's grand-daughter, Nicole.

Wigan 10 CD The new Wigan 10 CD was mentioned last week. Gwen Charnock, who has compiled the disk, has used large size files which really do the images justice. I shall be using our copy on our opening evening to showcase the work of the Union's most successful club in competitions national and international. What a Kick-Off for the new season! Everything you need to know is in text on screen and you can click back and to in the sequence. The individual folios are particularly interesting. What a pity all folio disks cannot use large images - Webmaster - MORE

Behold! The PAGB Print Exhibition 2011 The PAGB Inter-Federation Print Exhibition at Manchester Cathedral was opened last Wednesday and our President must rarely have spoken in such glorious surroundings! Peter Cheetham, PAGB President also spoke but the Exhibition was actually opened by Canon Andrew Shanks who mused about that now little-used word "behold" - he thought it appropriate for the exhibition - and how right he was! If clubs send their best images to the L&CPU Annual and we select the best for the PAGB Inter-Fed, then these images are the best of the best of the best in club photography. Arguable, maybe, but this is a must to visit. This venue is great; the prints are well displayed and usually well lit. The cathedral has many visitors who are already showing their appreciation in the visitors book (see MORE PICTURES) and it can do club photography nothing but good. Well done to our Exhibition Secretary, Tremaine Cornish. On until 28th August. MORE PICTURES

Bebington PS Exhibition Opening Treasurer Gordon Jenkins opened Bebington's Exhibition last week. He is seen here appealing to his audience for something, in his usual fashion. (It certainly wasn't the club subs, Bebington were one of the first to pay!) The exhibition is now closed. A chance to see the work of one of our major clubs. Thanks to Peter Sheffield for the picture.

Alan Saunder's At Martin Mere The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust centre at Martin Mere will feature the work of Alan Saunders (North Cheshire PS) in an exhibition throughout October and he will be there again for the North West Bird-Watching Festival on November 26th when he will be running wildlife photography workshops. See EVENTS for full details. Book early!

Wigan 10 Win Warwick PAGB Inter-Club PDI Championships, Warwick, Saturday 16th July 2011. Dave Butler collects the trophy for Wigan 10 from Mike Wetherall of sponsors Darwin-Clayton (UK) Ltd while Peter Cheetham organising committee chairman and MC (and PAGB President!) checks he's getting the right one! On the screen; Best Image "Charging Dogs" by Roy Rimmer(Wigan 10). Our two other member clubs, Poulton-le-Fylde and North Cheshire who competed acquitted themselves well - (9th & 12th, but only 1 mark separating them in the Plate Trophy) and we congratulate them. The entry preparation is hard work and it was good to see them wonderfully supported by club members, who came in coachloads!!! RESULTS - Marks for Plate Trophy and the Championship - a PAGB Newsletter with full results is anticipated. Webmaster 17th July 2011

L&CPU ANNUAL AWARDS On Saturday 18th June the DELEGATES MEETING took place at Astley. The presentation of the awards for the Annual Competitions, AV Competition, Print and PDI Challenges and Knock-Out followed and the official opening of the L&CPU Annual Exhibition in nearby Astley Hall. The exhibition runs until 29th August - see EVENTS. We are pleased to present a photographic record of the proceedings here. John Smith took the pictures, John Royle composed the page - any errors or omissions just let me know. (Distinctions are taken mainly from the results so it is possible some are missing - they are only used on first mention).

New FIAP Awards (5th June 2011)

Congratulations to the following L&CPU club members in gaining FIAP awards this time. Note that the list includes our President Christine Widdall, Lecturer & Judges Secretary Bob Dennis, Exhibition Secretary Tremaine Cornish and Exec member Diana Magor. Also good to imagine the matrimonial harmony when husband and wife gain the award at the same time!

AFIAP: Denise Collier & Tony Collier (Poulton le Fylde PS), Bob Dennis (Bebington PS),
Mike Heaton & Sue Heaton (Rochdale PS) and Phil Portus (South Manchester PS)

EFIAP: Tremaine Cornish (Bebington PS), Brian Magor, Diana Magor & Carol Tipping (Hoylake PS) and
Christine Widdall (Oldham PS).

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Macclesfield CC : 150 Years of Macclesfield People Project

We are used to our clubs helping their members towards some perfection in image making but it is pleasing to report projects which reach out in a different direction, such as documenting local life. Macclesfield Camera Club is staging a photographic exhibition portraying the people of Macclesfield over the years, through a selection of archival images (some dating back to the early 1860s) and a series of contemporary images taken during the month of April by members of the Club.

Originally part of the Barnaby Arts Festival the prints will be exhibited from 17th June to 28th August at Shackleford Pianos, Marburae House, Athey Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 6QU.

A book will be available there and also at the White Gallery in Bollington. Read more on the Make It Macclesfield website and on Macclesfield CC's publicity material here and on our EVENTS page.

FBPE for Margaret Sixsmith Margaret Sixsmith, of Hoylake Photographic Society, has been awarded the FBPE (Fellowship of the British Photographic Exhibitions). After reaching BPE5* she went on to achieve the ABPE. To be awarded the Fellowship she had to gain a further 100 acceptances in BPE exhibitions with a minimum of 30 awards from at least 15 different images. This is a very rare and considerable achievement – only 13 others have reached this standard since the BPEs began in 1991. In the last couple of years we have reported two other L&CPU club members who have also achieved FBPE; Kathryn Scorah and Keith Suddaby.

HOYLAKE PS and the Photographic Society of America

Every year the Photographic Society of America publish a Who's Who of successful authors in PSA competitions. The Who's Who for 2010 has just been published and three members of Hoylake Photographic Society, Margaret & John Sixsmith and Diana Magor have been named as being among the top 25 or so of international competitors in Nature Prints. http://psa-photo.org/

PAGB APMs - April 2011

Congratulations to the following L&CPU Club members who gained APMs at the April adjudications.

CPAGB in Prints
Gary Charnock Wigan P.S, Peter Eaton Atherton & District P.S.
Mike Heaton LRPS Rochdale P.S., Kevin Kelly South Liverpool Incl. LAPA
Jane Lines Chorley P.S., Mark Stringer Isle of Man P.S.

CPAGB Digital
Roy Appleby LRPS Manchester A.P.S., Tim Holt Romiley P.S.

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FIAP NEWS

Issue 43 of the PAGB Newsletter contained a statement from the new PAGB FIAP Liaison Officer, Dave Coates. It contains important advice for prospective applicants. Read the statement here. The whole e-43 Newsletter is on the PAGB page.

We also have a list of all 77 new FIAP AWARDS made up to March 2011. Congratulations to you all - especially, of course, L&CPU Club members.

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Bramhall PS Newsletter

Nic Hohne has sent a copy of the new Bramhall PS Newsletter. Would you like to send in your clubs? See Issue 1 in full here.

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Permanent Exhibition for Bolton Digital PS

Bolton Digital PS have opened a permanent exhibition at the Royal Bolton Hospital. The rolling display, which will be refreshed every 4-6 months, features over 30 framed colour and monochrome prints by club members.

The display was officially opened by photographic luminary Ian Jones, the Royal photographer who will be taking the photos at the forthcoming Royal Wedding. Ian and club President, Mark Power, were both at the same school many years ago and Ian has been following the progress of the club, which was only formed less than 2 years ago, very closely. His busy schedule allowed him a trip back from his base in Berkshire to Bolton to perform the honours on Saturday, 9th April.
You can read more and see some photos from the opening at www.boltondigitalps.co.uk. Photo: Mark Power (Ian Jones is on the right).

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Peter Coles ("AVPeter") 1935-2011

We were saddened to hear from Marion Waine that Peter Coles FRPS FIPF EFIAP FAC(M) has died. Teacher and politician, Peter was very highly regarded, feted and influential as a creator of AV sequences. He was a member of Wilmslow Guild AV Group. "He was a genius and also a dear friend who enriched our lives with his fun and caring. He will be greatly missed." Peter Coles funeral will be held at 2.0 pm on Friday 8th April 2011 at St. James Church Hebden Bridge, with burial to follow. St James the Great, Church Lane, Hebden Bridge, HX7 6DS. Read Marion's tribute to this remarkable man here.

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Manchester APS

New MAPS secretary Kevin Sanderson has sent a note to say that Mark Dougal has now become Society President and that they have new premises following the sale of Platt Chapel. They now have 4 rooms (meeting, studio, work and archive room (the club dates from 1885) and office). They have full disabled access and a kitchen (and I am feeling very envious typing all this!-Webmaster). William Coates Court,1/3 Carlton Road, Whalley Range, Manchester, M16 8HD

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Maghull PC Annual

This year, Maghull Photography Club's Annual Competition was judged by Adrian Lines ARPS DPAGB BPE3*.  There were over 100 entries in 6 categories. At the end of the judging, the 6 winning prints were reviewed and an overall winner was declared - 'Remembering' a very touching portrait by Karen Morris. This proved to be a very popular choice as the image had been much admired by members in previous club competitions - Well done Karen, Brilliant."

The BIG DAY

On Sunday 20th March we enjoyed finding out how award winning images had been created by Libby Smith, were fascinated by an expansive and very cleverly illustrated talk by Big Day inventor and past-President Keith Suddaby, beguiled by the superb landscape work of Dave Coates and drawn into an exquisite macro world of mosses and crystals by David Smith. All this and meeting friends from up and down the region made up a great day.

Below are some shots from the day, featuring (L to R clockwise); George Littler, the audience in the Pollard Theatre, then Joan Blease, Mike Lawrence, and Eb Swarbrick, winners of the Big Day print. Oh, and President Christine Widdall keeps popping up too. More later.

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Atherton & District Amateur Photographic Society Year Book

The ADAPS Year Book 2011-2012 is now published and can be viewed and purchased at: http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2036471 This is our fourth Year Book and is the biggest yet at 82 pages of members' images. Do please have a look at give some feedback. Perhaps this is something that other clubs could consider doing as it forms a permanent record of the best work every year.

Southport Open Exhibition

Trevor Davenport, President of Southport Photographic Society, together with Gary Parker the Exhibition Co-ordinator with The Worshipful the Mayor of Sefton, Councillor Maureen Fearn JP, at the Southport Open Exhibition Print Display at the Wayfarers Arcade on the opening day, 12th March 2011. Details of the Exhibition can be found on the Events Page.

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George Steele Honoured

Bury PS President and one-time L&CPU Competitions Secretary George Steele FRGS CEng FIEE LRPS CPAGB has been made first recipient of the George Band Award for Exceptional Voluntary Contribution for his 40 years service on the British Mountaineering Council’s Technical Committee. His service includes 23 years on the Safety Commission of the International Union of Alpine Associations (UIAA), including two spells as Vice President of the Commission, and 17 years as Chairman of the British Standards Institution Committee on Mountaineering Equipment and acting as one of the Principal UK Experts on the European Standards Committee. The Award will be presented by George Band at the British Mountaineering Council Annual Dinner on 16 April 2011. More...

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L&CPU AGM -26th February 2011

The Proxy voting proposal was passed, the slide competition proposal narrowly defeated and the third; to have paid lecturers advertising in the Directory, was withdrawn (to be discussed by the Exec Committee). The 2011 survey of clubs will be conducted after the Big Day and clubs are to be provided with Trustee Liability Insurance by the L&CPU, the equivalent of 20p/member off the subs. Full Report will follow. On the left our President, Christine Widdall AFIAP DPAGB BPE3* at the opening of the AGM. Pictures of the Presentation of Certificates

Wallasey Amateur Photographic Society – Lifeboats On Call Exhibition

The photographs which Wallasey APS have on display at the Williamson Art Gallery at the moment seem to me to be a success at three levels. Firstly, they pay tribute to and highlight the work of the brave and selfless volunteer members of the Lifeboat service. Secondly, they are an important historical document - do any other clubs do such a wonderful job of capturing local life as Wallasey? Thirdly, they are excellent images in their own right; imaginative and powerful.

You will remember the very striking exhibition that Wallasey APS had of Wirral life which ran alongside the L&CPU Annual in 2009.

This exhibition cries out to be visited and it might just set you thinking about the contribution that all our Clubs make to recording and supporting local life, society and history and how your images might be used and archived.

Above we can see (LtoR) the Mayor of Wirral, Cllr Alan Jennings (who opened the exhibition), Mike Jones (Senior Helmsman, RNLI New Brighton LBoat Station), Bob Warwick (Wallasey APS) and our President, Christine Widdall. The exhibition runs until 5th April at the Williamson in Birkenhead. Mike Jones posed for the brilliant Frank Sutcliffe tribute picture seen in the centre- Photo by Paul Fellows.

A Picture from the Exhibition – Poster - full A4 for your noticeboard (1.5Mb) – Event Details - Lifeboats on Call website

FIAP Clubs’ World Cup Success for Chorley Member

Noel Morgan, L&CPU Print Competition Secretary, was recently awarded a FIAP Silver Medal for his image Eilean Donan Castle at Dusk in the FIAP Clubs’ World Cup 2010.
He is seen here being presented with his medal by Steven le Prevost who was lecturing at Chorley showing some of his stunning artistic prints.

Wigan 10 win the Maurice Dorikens Trophy

Wigan 10 this year won the Maurice Dorikens Trophy. This was awarded from the FIAP Clubs’ World Cup 2010 for the club with the highest aggregate score for the past 5 years in the FIAP competition.
Maurice Dorikens is a past President of FIAP and is seen here presenting the trophy at the FIAP Headquarters in Paris to Wigan 10 member Maurice Jones. More Pictures

Bury PS Exhibition - Bury Girls Clean Up on Silver!

Left to right Diane Noles, Sarah Davies, Christine Widdall, Bury Mayoress, Jane Miller, Jean Neville. Below is another picture taken at the opening of Bury PS Annual. George Steele, Mayoress, Mayor, Dave Crabtree, Christine Widdall. Photo: James Hargreaves.

Exhibition Venue etc see EVENTS

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North Cheshire PS Exhibition and Inter-Club Competitions

Another successful year for these popular competitions. On Wednesday evening (9/2/11) we had the Print Competition contested by 21 clubs which was won by Wigan 10 by one mark over NCPS themselves. That one mark was by virtue of W10 taking Best Print for "Beyond Your Sorrow" by Kathryn Scorah. The judge was Ray Brammall ARPS DPAGB whose thoughtful and perceptive comments contributed a great deal to the evening.

On Thursday we had the PDI Knock Out judged by Mike McNamee BSc FRPS FBPPA. Mike has judged the competition before and we expected to get a lot of insights into technique and we did - another very entertaining evening. 30 Clubs contested and Wigan 10 took the cup, this time by a very big margin! Austin Thomas took the best image for "Cheetah Kill" (how does he get these perfect shots?). Results NCPS Website

Gwen Charnock accepting the Alan Adshead Memorial Trophy from our President Christine Widdall for Wigan 10's victory in the Print Competition

Austin Thomas accepts the PDI KO Trophy for Wigan 10 - Austin also gained Best Image. Photos by Jon Allanson - NCPS

 

Wigan 10 Exhibition in Zagreb

An exhibition of Wigan 10 images was hosted by Fotoklub Zagreb in Croatia in January 2011.
Fotoklub Zagreb is the oldest club of its kind in Croatia being founded in 1892. The club now have new perspectives and have decided to collaborate with other clubs especially from Europe showing exhibitions in their own clubrooms in the centre of Zagreb.
The opening event shown above was well covered by many media: several radio stations, national TV, daily newspapers, and many internet sites.
Such was the interest in the exhibition that it is now to be shown at other venues in Croatia including Sisak, Novska, Varaždin and Bjelovar.

More pictures - Media Coverage

Bolton CC & Bolton Digital PS

Bolton Camera Club along with Bolton Art Circle and Bolton Digital Photographic Society are holding a joint exhibition in Bolton Museum and Art Gallery, from the 5th February until the 26th March 2011.  Bolton Camera Club recently appeared in the Digital SLR User Magazine under the 'Exhibit This' section,  Because of the article appearing in the magazine Canon have very kindly loaned to Bolton Camera Club a 'CanoScan LiDE 700F scanner'. We are delighted to take this opportunity to use this piece of equipment to help improve the exhibition in 2011.  The LiDE700F will be used for photographs, negatives and slides, and will allow the Club to run workshops for the public - inviting them to bring their own images to the gallery so that they may display their work in a dedicated part of the display.  This way, the exhibition will in itself become more exciting to the public and also help share the pleasure of photography - Mike Hesp, Secretary Bolton CC

Lancaster PS - Fred Johnstone

We were sad to hear from Lancaster PS secretary Sheenagh Crumley that Fred Johnstone, their most senior and highly respected member, has died - Tribute.

Wilmslow Guild - More successes

Following their success in the Action and Macro categories in the DSLR Magazine, Wilmlsow Guild PS have had further success in an Architecture category. Read More...

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Sigrun Tollerton - 1st October 1962 - 21st December 2010

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the death of Sigrun Tollerton ARPS DPAGB on 21st December 2010 after a long and extremely brave, hard fought battle with cancer. A long time member of both Bebington PS and Wrexham & District PS, Sigrun was well respected and loved by all who came in contact with her. Sigrun was a very popular judge in both the L&CPU and the NWPA. Together with husband Dave, she lectured at many of the clubs, specialising in talks on the wildlife they both loved photographing. Sigrun was an excellent photographer but also had an extensive knowledge of photoshop, website building and the wildlife around her, knowing all the Latin names! She was always willing and happy to pass on her skills. Many photographers have benefited from her help, especially as they took their first steps into digital. Most people won't know this but she was also an amazing knitter, designing her own very colourful patterns. She was a cherished friend and we will miss her greatly - Marion Waine The funeral is at Wrexham Crematorium at 2pm on Friday 31st December. The L&CPU sends its sincere condolences to David Tollerton.

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L&CPU Successes in the FIAP Clubs’ World Cup

Eilean Donan Castle at Dusk by Noel Morgan AFIAP BPE2* PSA1*

The results from this competition are now on the FIAP Website. Wigan 10 came 4th, their best placing since winning the first competition in 2006. Other commendable L&CPU placings were Chorley PS (11th) and Blackburn & District CC (69th)

In addition Noel Morgan, the L&CPU Print Competition Secretary, received a Silver Medal with the image of Eilan Donan Castle above.

Wigan 10 were also awarded The Maurice Dorikens Trophy which is a new award. This trophy is awarded to the club which is best classified in 5 world cups. The first trophy is for the years 2006 to 2010. The next one to be awarded will be for the years 2007 to 2011. Maurice Dorikens was a former FIAP President.

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Congratulations...

to the following L&CPU Club members who gained PAGB Awards at Wilmslow Guild or Carlisle recently.

CPAGB

William Edwards - Altrincham & Hale P.S. Robert Lewis - Chester P.S. Angela Nicholls - Chorley P.S. Tracey Wilkinson - Chorley P.S. Maurice Baker - Crewe P.S Ian Whiston- Crewe P.S.

Geoff Dearden - Halton P.S. Robert Millin - Hassra Fylde P.S. Anthony Holloway - Holmes Chapel C.C. Diane McCudden - Isle of Man P.S. Sue Jones - Isle of Man P.S. Steven Coyne - Macclesfield C.C

Brian Law - Macclesfield C.C. David Tolliday - Macclesfield C.C Joyce Streets - North Cheshire P.S. John Fletcher - Ribblesdale C.C. Jeremy Malley-Smith - Wigan P.S.

DPAGB
Patrick Whalley Crewe P.S.
Chris Mowatt Ormskirk C.C.
Austin Thomas Wigan 10

PAGB Print Exhibition Opening, Towneley Hall, 7th December

Christine Widdall, President of the L&CPU and Tremaine Cornish, Exhibition Secretary at the opening of the PAGB Print Exhibition at Towneley Hall. The exhibition is now on until 30th January but if you visit before Christmas you can also see the Northern Legacy (see below). Thanks to Tremaine for organising this staging of the PAGB prints, remember that he would be grateful for suggestions for gallery space for future exhibitions.

Hannah Eastham at the PAGB Print Exhibition. She was not looking so happy when she posed for Alan Eastham's image "Love & Despair" which is featured in the exhibition - CHORLEY PS

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Austin Thomas - TV Star

Austin Thomas, Wigan 10, was the subject of an item on BBC Look North West on Thursday night (25th November). We saw his now famous Camarge Horses, Crocodile and Wildebeest and Cheetah & Gazelle images (referred to at some point as "holiday snaps"!!!!) and took a 2 minute safari with him on his last trip to Africa. Congratulations Austin, both for this and your DPAGB yesterday - isn't it a pity that, whilst photography is the medium of television we rarely see anything about photography! Austin says...

" I was contacted by the BBC earlier this year and asked if I would be interested to do some video work when I next visited Kenya.

The local BBC team and their news and weather presenter Dianne Oxberry visited my home and started to gather some material. I was suitably briefed and tasked to record some stills and videos from this years trip to the Masai Mara.

Considering the scraps of video I gave them, it is amazing how polished the final version looked.

You can view the video on Austin's website here

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PAGB APMs at Carlisle - 4th December 2010

This extra assessment yielded over 30 new award winners and they, together with those gaining awards last weekend at Wilmslow will be listed here in the next few days.

PAGB APMs at Wilmslow

A busy weekend for us all, staging the PAGB Awards for Photographic Merit at Wilmslow Guild. Saturday saw the DPAGB assessments and with only 7 passes out of 30 or so in prints and slides there were a few glum faces but it does reflect the high standards required for this award. Things literally brightened with the PDIs which saw 4 successes from the 9 applicants. Two of the 4 were L&CPU club members; Chris Mowatt of Ormskirk and Austin Thomas of Wigan 10. Austin achieved the second highest mark ever, 390 (to 401) out of the 450.

Sunday may have been an even colder day outside but things in the hall were looking brighter with 32 candidates achieving CPAGB, 11 of whom were L&CPU Club members.

Judges then needed to change gear to assess the stratospheric "M"s and the number getting this coveted award was fairly high - 4, no L&CPU people though.

There is an extra assessment next Saturday in Carlisle. If you are looking to apply you have not missed out - Carlisle is to help clear the backlog. Next April's assessment is already full so do get your applications in, albeit for November 2011!

If you are going to apply you may need help, even if it is just to understand the bits "between the lines" of the guide. Talk to members at your club who have the award. The L&CPU plan to provide more help too - details later.

Good to see Keith Suddaby as one of the judges, together with Richard Spiers, Tom Dodd, Colin Smith, Libby Smith and Phil Charnock. I'll include the names of the successful candidates just as soon as I have them confirmed.

 

Our Young Photographer Of The Year Wins National Competition

Sam Cartwright of Chorley PS has won the Urban View category in the Youth Class of the 2010 Landscape Photographer of the Year competition. Congratulations Sam. Here is Sam's Double Dial image, a great piece of street photography, it featured as our Image of the Week a little while back and it is a pleasure to show it again....

FBPE for Kathryn Scorah MPAGB

Congratulations to Kathryn on gaining the British Photographic Exhibitions (BPE) highest award. It is an astonishing achievement; to get ABPE she had to gain the 300 points for BPE 5 crowns PLUS a further 100 points and 20 awards with at least 10 different images. Now, on top of that she has a further 100 acceptances and another 30 awards (50 in all 25 different images) - In fact she had amassed 65 awards! - Phew!

Our Distinctions Guide on the Downloads page has been revised to include requirements for ABPE and FBPE

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L&CPU BIG DAY - 2011

The next BIG DAY is on Sunday 20th March 2011 and we are back at the college in Lancaster which was the venue for a number of times. (It is now the University of Cumbria, Lancaster Campus, Bowerham Road, LA1 3JD.

Ticket prices will be lower because at set lunch will not be included - you can use the cafeteria there or make your own arrangements.

Subject? This is still taking shape but rumours are of a rather novel set of speakers who will provide us with a very entertaining day.

All great news and further details will be here soon.

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Trinity House Calendar Photography Competition

The PAGB have sent us details of a competition being organised by Trinity House. Perhaps a good chance for those photos of lighthouses and raging seas? (Details & application form)

Humanity Photo Awards 2011

Many of you will be interested in details of the Humanity Photo Awards (HPA) which we have just been sent. The HPA, launched in 1998 by CFPA (China Folklore Photographic Association), is a biennial photography contest which calls upon worldwide photographers, professional or amateur, to record the world’s folklore cultures, spread and share the diverse cultures among mankind. Surely those many great street shots you've taken both at home and abroad could be worthy contributions to this competition.(More)

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Distinction Successes

PAGB AV Awards

At the Awards for Photographic Merit (APMs) for AUDIO-VISUAL sequences held
on 16th October at Leicester Howard Bagshaw, Eddie Spence and Kate Brown
all gained DPAGB. Howard's submission gained full marks (15)

Kendal PS RPS Successes

Kendal PS have contacted us to say that some of their members have just gained
RPS distinctions;Julie Walker LRPS; Stephen Downham ARPS; Alan Walker ARPS

Our congratulations to you all.

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PPSA for the Magors!

Congratulations to Hoylake members Brian and Diana Magor who have been awarded the Proficiency PSA (PPSA) Distinction at the Annual Membership Meeting of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) International Conference held in Charleston, South Carolina, USA (Oct.3-9, 2010). PSA's Distinction Awards are in recognition of photographic achievement based on acceptance records in PSA recognized International Exhibitions and documented with PSA Division approved Star Rating Certificates.

The Distinction Award includes an invitation to display a sample of work on the Society's website, Gallery of Distinction Awards.

Diana Magor is a member of the Executive Committee of the L&CPU and a listed Judge.

More information - PSA Website (2010 Gallery does not seem to have appeared yet)

Kendal PS Centenary Exhibition Opening

Our President, Christine Widdall, opened the Kendal PS Exhibition this week. The Centenary Exhibition is on at The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal until the 27th October. Kendal are also proud to announce that they now have a website at www.kendalphotographicsociety.co.uk

 

The Robertshaw Trophy

L&CPU Clubs Crewe, Macclesfield and Holmes Chapel meet Midland's Leek and Blythe Bridge in this annual PDI competition. On Thursday night (7/10/10) Holmes Chapel hosted this year's event and had been lucky to get our President, Christine Widdall, to judge. Christine is seen presenting the Trophy to Tom Seaton, secretary of Crewe PS, after their one mark victory over second place Leek PC. Thanks to Holmes Chapel who did the event proud with an excellent venue. They had replaced Stoke (MPF) in the event only last year.

Success at Wilmslow Guild PS - Again!

Following the recent win in the Digital SLR User Magazine’s Battle of the Clubs competition for macro images, Members of Wilmslow Guild Photographic Society (WGPS) have reason to celebrate again – another 1st place, this time in the sport and action round. The results have just been announced in the November edition of the magazine which is currently on sale. The full story

Lytham St Annes PS

1. Building Bridges

Lytham's Exhibition Co-ordinator, Brian Crawford, enlisted the co-operation of the local paper (Lytham St. Annes Express) to organise a digital competition on the theme of ‘The Community’. Judged by Peter Guy (Poulton-le-Fylde), sponsored by local companies and with free mounting of the top entries by Woodlands Gallery of Ansdell, the competition prizes were awarded by Mr Phillip Woodward, Fylde BC Chief Executive. Topped off with publicity in the Express the event drew great interest and raised awareness of the club in the area.

2. A Pleasant Surprise for our President

President Christine Widdall had a surprise when she represented the Union at the Presentation Evening at Lytham St. Annes P.S. Annual Exhibition.

Having heard Christine say that, because of its local interest, she didn’t expect there would be many sales of her book (‘Saddleworth Through My Lens’) on the Fylde coast one of Lytham’s members bought a copy and donated it as a sole prize in a raffle at club meetings.

 

The President at St Helens CC

Wilmslow Guild Win £1000 1st Prize in National Club Competition The macro skills of Wilmlow Guild PS members have won them first place in Digital SLR User magazine's national competition. WGPS will have no trouble spending the £1,000, so no begging letters please! Full story Shown is Poppy by Dave Griffiths, one of the images submitted.

 

President at Haworth Gallery Following a visit to Haworth Gallery, Accrington in June to open the Accrington CC Exhibition Christine Widdall was asked if she would like to return to the gallery to view the collection of Tiffany glass (the largest collection in Europe). She was there last night (12th August 2010). The painting by David Cox (1783-1859) which Christine is holding was one item presently in storage at the gallery. Note the white cotton gloves, the painting may be worth £8,000! Read the full story by Harry Emmett, President of Accrington CC

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Earlier News - October 2009 to July 2010 

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Archives -from the Clubs, the Union and the PAGB