Hi All,
My apologies for not giving most of you who came along last week any time for a chat. From the minute we started I never stopped talking with potential new members, in fact some are no longer potential as they signed up on the night. I suspect they liked what they saw. I would like to thank everyone who helped with the setting up and taking down with a special thank you to Dave Riddle for setting up a nature table, Colin close for his studio set up, Adrian Butt for his editing table, Lynne Allen for looking after the welcome table and sorting out the renewal forms and administration, and Janet Cox and friends for some lovely refreshments, however, the biggest thanks goes to everyone who made our visitors feel welcome.
This coming week (the first of the new season) we will be trying a fun Welcome Back Evening. We will be having an exhibition of members’ Photofolio entries and last year’s PDI winners. We will be explaining our new programme so you know what delights we have for you and as a way of getting to know one another we are having a couple of group quiz’s, (with prizes and no expense spared). We are also having a raffle so any unwanted Christmas, birthday, wedding presents etc would be most welcome.
For more excitement we are planning an auction and this is where we need your help. Firstly we need some photographic auction items so please have a sort out of your unused/redundant kit and bring it along (don’t forget one person’s junk is another’s treasure). However old dark room equipment is unlikely to sell and we have no storage facility. Secondly we need an Auctioneer and Porter so if you have ever fancied a go at this profession, now’s your chance – we have a fine hand crafted gavel ready for you. The seller gets any monies less the auctioneer (BPS) fee of 10%. If you are looking to buy there will be some interesting items including digital cameras, flashes, books, wireless triggers, tripods, reflectors and all sorts of photographic gems.
Coming up. Many of you will remember our past Chair Peter Garnett who passed away last year, well his wife Angela is holding an exhibition of his work this coming Wednesday 6th at the New BHI (new doctors and pharmacy on the corner of Market St and Stourbridge Road). It is a one-day only event from 10am to 4pm in conjunction with Macmillan Coffee Morning. It is free entry although anything you can spare is for Cancer Research UK. Hope as many of us will be able to make it, thanks to Tony Hawksbee and Colin Close for helping Angela put this exhibition on.
Next we have been getting some excellent publicity for The Bill Chambers Memorial Lecture with top Photographer Des Ong on the 21st September. Photography News have published it in their Club News section, locally the Village Magazine have done a decent article and the new Cornfield magazine are also doing a feature, both magazines cover a big area surrounding Bromsgrove. If you haven’t booked your ticket yet get in touch with Jan Harris sooner rather than later (just a suggestion). jan.harris4787@gmail.com
Finally a bit of an advert or a recommendation, I have been using a company called Genesis for my PC/Laptop repairs and bits and pieces for 4-5 years now and have found their skills, knowledge and very fair pricing to be excellent. I noticed the other day they are also promoting Apple repairs as well as supplying refurbished Apple machines (apparently they have been doing them for some time but only to the trade). The address is 21 Edgewood Rd, Rednal, B45 9YF Tel: 0121 457 8289 Email:genesis-computer-services@hotmail.co.uk Web: www.genesis-computer-services.com Facebook: genesis computers limited and the main guy is (the very friendly and helpful) David.
Better call an end to this exciting up-to-the minute news update as it’s starting to get long and you might be dropping off. “Quit whilst you are ahead” are wise words.
Hope to see you this Tuesday, winter times (already) 7.45 for 8pm
Best wishes.
Roger Lewis