Tynemouth Photographic Society
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Posted 12/2/23
Howard Wilson writes:
We have won the Print competition in the NCPF Club Championships so in a few months time are on our way to the PAGB National Finals, to represent the NCPF. Saltburn came 2nd and should be there too.
So, a good day for us, but THAT'S NOT ALL!. Four prints scored 15 out of 15 and we had two of them. Henry's "Walk on the Prom" and Arthur's "Forget-Me-Not". Very well done to them.
That is still not all! The judges then decided that Henry's "Walk on the Prom" was the BEST PRINT IN THE COMPETITION. Very well done Henry. Many congratulations.
The winning prints will be on display on Thursday night.
Posted 11/1/23
Our Jubilee print exhibition is available for viewing at The Exchange, Howard Street, North Shields for one week only from 2pm on Thursday 12th Jan to Wednesday 18th Jan.
The TPS Jubilee Project was set up to capture some of the local Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II. Ten TPS photographers, from beginner to advanced level, volunteered to work with a range of organisations, charities and individuals. Over the 2nd to 11th June 2022 we documented the preparations, celebrations, and people involved, finally producing over 600 images which were subsequently donated to the various organisers. This exhibition contains only a very small number of images from each event, but includes work from all of the photographers. We aimed to create a record of the people and events over that 10 day period and hope you enjoy looking at the images. TPS would like to thank all of the organisations and individuals who allowed us to record their celebrations.
Posted 3/8/22
On Saturday 3rd September 2022 and Sunday 4th September 2022 from 10am until 4pm, Tynemouth Photographic Society are showing an exhibition of prints and projected images of their Platinum Jubilee Project at our clubrooms in 106-107 Howard Street, North Shields. Admission is free. Following the exhibition, the prints will be shown in a number of venues across North Tyneside.
The Jubilee Project aimed to create a record of a unique event. Ten TPS members volunteered to take part - David Baldwin, Brett Culpin, Gail Forster, Julie Hedley, Peter Stevens, Margaret Warren, Dorothy Wilson, Howard Wilson, Ian Wood and Alan Forster.
Work got underway in February identifying local Jubilee events and we followed up with personal visits to organisers to gain their support to take part in the project. After five months of planning we were ready for the extended bank holiday celebrations. First up was a Bake Off Competition, then a charity Community Garden Party; next there were a series of intergenerational days where young people visited local care homes with cakes and organised Jubilee tea parties for the residents; there was the opening of a Jubilee Painting Exhibition, Jubilee celebrations at the Stephenson Railway Museum; a Beacon Lighting and live music festival, a garden party at two local churches, a Community Family Fun Day, and last but not least, a garden party organised by a resident of a cul-de-sac for friends and neighbours.
The project produced many thousands of images from which the exhibition of 30 prints and 713 projected images were selected.
Posted 28/4/22
Note: In March we held the exhibition for 2020-21, delayed by Covid. This new exhibition is for the current season.
Tynemouth Photographic Society will be hosting its Annual Exhibition of prints for season 2021-22 at our clubrooms 106-107 Howard Street, North Shields, NE30 1NA over the weekend Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th May 2022. The exhibition is free to view and will be open between 10am and 4pm each day.
Refreshments will be available and there will also be an opportunity to buy a copy of our latest book of photos from our archive, many of which have never been published before.The book has proved to be very popular and sold out the initial print run. We do though have a number remaining from the second print run - when they're gone, they're gone.
If you've never visited us before, why not come along and make a day of it and take in the coast and Tynemouth - and maybe North Shields fish quay to sample some of the local fish and chips!
Our clubrooms have recently been fitted with Panasonic fresh air ventilation systems in each room to ensure compliance with government Covid guidance. A map showing our exact location can be found in the Contact section of this website.
We'd be delighted to see old friends and new.
Posted 27/9/21
Alan Forster writes:
Following the lifting of COVID restrictions, our own Howard Wilson APAGB, CPAGB/AV is pictured receiving the NCPF Meritorious Service Award from Jim Welsh, the President of the NCPF on Saturday 25th September. Members will remember the announcement of the award during a Zoom meeting on 3rd December last year, which came as a complete surprise to Howard. Jim was determined to present the award personally, and as soon as COVID restrictions allowed made the trip to to Howard's home to make the formal presentation. As well as receiving the award for over 50 years outstanding service to Tynemouth Photographic Society and the NCPF, Howard's name was also added to the NCPF Roll of Honour. Howard is only the tenth person to receive such recognition. Well done Howard!
Posted 17/9/21
Posted 15/9/21
Alan Forster writes:
On behalf of the committee I am delighted to be able to let you know that we will now be reopening our clubrooms in time for the first meeting of the new season this Thursday, 16th September at 7:30PM, when we will have "My Summer In 10 Minutes Or Less" by our own members.
We also intend to run our full syllabus of meetings for all groups in the clubrooms. Details of the syllabus have already been sent to all members by email and are available on the TPS website.
We have only been able to reopen the clubrooms following the installation of a new fresh air ventilation system in room 107 (the room nearest the river) which is now fully operational making this room available for use. The system in room 106 has also been installed and whilst working, will not be fully operational until [an issue] has been resolved. We hope this will happen early next week which will bring room 106 into use too.
This news means we can fully meet government recommendations for fresh air ventilation in meeting rooms. We owe a big thank you to John Burton for his commitment to delivering this system. Thanks must also go to other club members who helped empty our storeroom and move furniture so the engineers could have access to install the equipment, and who have also cleaned the clubrooms and all surfaces ready for opening. Without all of this help we would not be able to reopen.
So to summarise:
This is excellent news and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.
Posted 22/5/21
This year's winner of the Silver Jubilee Trophy, awarded for the best total of entries in the 3 Seasonal Monochrome Print competitions is our President, Alan Forster.
Posted 15/4/21
Trevor Ermel writes:
Our Annual Competition (featuring the best of the entries from the whole season) was held on Monday 12th April. There were ten entries, judged by our friend Stephen Green from Newcastle ACA. The result was as follows:
1st place and winner of the George Draper Shield: Trevor Ermel with "One day in Denmark", a holiday film shot mainly in Copenhagen.
2nd place: John Burton with "HMS Newcastle returns", a one-minute film showing the launch of the ship on the Tyne in 1992 plus some modern views of its recent return to the river.
3rd place: Trevor Ermel with "Garden visitors", featuring a variety of birds filmed in his back garden.
Other awards were also finalised on the night:
The Dawson Rose Bowl for the highest total of points awarded, (based on placings in competitions over the season), went to Trevor Ermel.
The Nichol Cup for the highest number of new films over the season was jointly shared by Alwyn Scott and Doug Tweddle, each entering five films.
The Kip Halsey Award for the film with the best nature/wildlife content went to Trevor Ermel with "Garden Visitors." Overall we had 16 films entered by six members this season, compared with 25 films from nine members last time.
Trevor Ermel, Video Film-Making Group Competition Secretary
Posted 6/12/20
Alan Forster writes:
Those members who joined our Zoom meeting on Thursday night 3rd December will know we had a fantastic evening. There were over 30 attendees with visitors from Cramlington Camera Club, friends, family - and special guests Jim and Margaret Welsh, the President and General Secretary of the Northern Counties Photographic Federation. We were all privileged to see a special award made to our own Howard Wilson APAGB CPAGB/AV.
On behalf of the NCPF, Jim and Margaret presented Howard with the Meritorious Service Award and added his name to the NCPF Roll Of Honour. Jim explained that this special award was made in recognition of over 50 years outstanding service Howard has given to Tynemouth Photographic Society and the NCPF. Jim went on to say that over this time Howard has held just about every position on the TPS Committee serving as President, Vice President, Syllabus Secretary, Competition Secretary and General Secretary, often holding each position on more than one occasion. In addition Howard has been the caretaker of NCPF equipment stored at TPS.
The honour was originally planned to be awarded at the NCPF AGM in March but had to be postponed due to COVID restrictions and the rearranged date of 3rd December took much planning to ensure it was a surprise for Howard!
Howard was extremely pleased and honoured to receive the award, and a framed certificate to mark the event will be presented to Howard as soon as circumstances allow.
I'm sure every member of TPS will join with me in congratulating Howard for this wonderful and well deserved award.
A Zoom screen grab of the moment the award was presented.
Howard Wilson APAGB CPAGB/AV
Posted 27/2/20
Trevor Ermel writes:
Four members represented the Group when Darlington hosted this year's three-way film competition on 25th February. This event was judged in advance by Ron Prosser, FACI (a former IAC Chairman) and David Fenn (the Chairman of Haywards Heath Movie Makers).
Tynemouth's winning twenty-minute entry consisted of four films - "Whitley Bay Parade" by Trevor Ermel, "An English Summer Day" by Alwyn Scott, "Lesley Brys and Friends" by Jim Shaw and the club film "PC World". Our congratulations go to the film makers involved.
Those of us who attended the Video Group's 50/50 Joint Night in January will remember that these films were part of the evening's entertainment.
We also won this competition last year - here's hoping for a "hat trick" next time!
Posted 4/12/19
A record number of people attended the clubrooms of Tynemouth Photographic Society on Sunday 1st December to see an exhibition of 28 prints and 280 digital images.
The exhibition celebrated the 125th anniversary of Tynemouth Bowling Club and was the result of a unique collaboration between the two clubs.
Tynemouth Bowling Club President Richard Coates said "This was a great way to end our special year with a wonderful record of our activities that future members will be able to enjoy. It's been something out of the ordinary for our members to collaborate with TPS photographers on this project."
Keith Hildreth of Tynemouth Photographic Society said "I'm delighted that so many people attended our clubrooms to see and enjoy our work. This project is part of our commitment to work with other community groups. Our members had some new photographic challenges, but the results speak for themselves."
Posted 29/9/19
On Saturday 28th September we had our official opening ceremony. About 50 guests joined us. Councillor Tommy Mulvenna did the honours at 11am. A specially baked cake and other refreshments were available, as shown in these photos.
Ready to start: Jennifer, Stan, Alan, Alan
Jennifer Cowley, Dorothy Wilson, Hew Ellis
Food
Starting to gather in one of the rooms
Councillor Mulvenna's speech
Councillor Mulvenna & Stan Bewick cut the cake
watched by our President Keith Hildreth
and photographed by Trevor Ermel
Councillor Mulvenna was presented with a print
by founder member J.R.King of
the Fish Quay c.100 years ago
Speech by John Burton, whose unstinting
hard work got us to our new home
Joseph Duffy (NCPF President) presents Howard Wilson
with the certificate for his recently won CPAGB/AV
Howard Wilson and Councillor Mulvenna
with the J.R.King photo
The last photo is by Alan Forster, the others by Graham Relf
Posted 26/8/19
After 62 years in Tynemouth Front Street the Society is now moving to premises in the lower section of Howard Street, North Shields. We will have the ground floor of Nos 106 & 107. This has several advantages, not the least of which are easy parking for evening meetings and no stairs to climb.
The interior is on two slightly different levels with a few steps between them but there is an entrance door from the street to each level.
Removals are happening on 29th August and volunteers will be putting final touches to fittings on 2nd and 3rd September.
See the map in our contact pages for the exact location.
Huge thanks are due to John Burton for persevering with this project and seeing it to fruition.
106 & 107 Howard Street
106 & 107 Howard Street
Maritime Chambers, at the end of the street
Maritime Chambers plaque
Up river from the south end of the street
Howard Street from the south
Posted 8/7/19
Graham writes:
At least five of us made it to this fascinating venue on 6th July. The weather was perfect and we greatly enjoyed ourselves photographing the many weird and wonderful sculptures in the gardens and woods. Extracts from some of my photos are below. This venue is open on only a few weekends each year. See their web site for details: cheeseburn.com
Margaret adds:
In the end at least 8 of our members were there. And here are some more photos, the first by Alan Forster, others by Margaret:
Posted 16/6/19
On 15th June the Bowling Club had an open day to celebrate their 125 years. Along with other local clubs we were invited to have a stand to show what we do.
Posted 27/5/19
Dorothy writes:
Howard has just been awarded his CPAGB/AV - the Assessment Panel of five renowned judges Robert Albright (Chairman), Howard Bagshaw, Martin Fry, Gordon Jenkins and Christine Widdall all gave complimentary comments. In Stan's words "it's a feather in Tynemouth's cap and a worthy end to Howard's Presidency."
Posted 12/5/19
This is a link to a gallery of photos from the evening.
Posted 4/5/19
Trevor Ermel writes:
The final ever meeting of the Video Film-Making Group in our current club rooms in Camera House took place on Monday 29th April, when 15 members and guests enjoyed an informal fish and chip meal, followed by the presentation of the trophies to this season's competition winners. Wine and cakes were also kindly provided by some of the members. Chairman Dave Peffer rounded off the evening with some reminiscences of the happy times we had spent here over the years and we raised a toast to our old home. Happily the venue has been recorded many times on various club videos over the years and its memory will live on, and we look forward to entering the new premises next season.
Prize winners and their trophies:
Trevor Ermel, Doug Tweddle, Alwyn Scott, Jim Shaw and Chairman Dave Peffer on the right
(Photo by Terry Scott)
Posted 3/5/19
At this year's Annual General Meeting special awards were made to Stan Bewick and Arthur Smith and Howard Wilson handed over the presidency to Keith Hildreth.
Howard writes:
Our AGM at the end of April was notable for several reasons, but the main ones were the Society acknowledging the loyalty and work of two well known members. Arthur Smith and Stan Bewick. The citations for both are given below but it should be said that not many members over the years have been awarded Honorary Life Membership in the Society.
Such is the greatness of Stan Bewick's contribution to the NCPF, that some time ago the NCPF created a new position for him - Honorary Life Vice President - a post now held also by Jane Black (one of our Life Members).
It is some considerable time since Stan was awarded honorary Life Membership to Tynemouth PS and we acknowledge Stan by adding to that the new position of Honorary Life President as well.
It is fair to say that Stan was completely speechless when his honour was announced and I will cherish the moment that, as President, I announced these awards to Arthur and Stan.
Stan Bewick joined this Society in October 1957 and was quickly recognised as a valuable member.
He was Secretary for 5 years, 1969 – 73, President from 1974 – 76, Treasurer 2006 – 07, and Prints Competitions Secretary from 2008 – 10.
He took over the Record Group many years ago and has made sure that our collection of pictures have been digitised and he has produced numerous shows for us to use within or outside of the Society. For 25 years he was our syllabus secretary, still runs the weekly raffle and is checker of our accounts which come to the AGM.
He was made a Life Member of this Society in the 1990s.
In 1971, Stan became a member of the Northern Counties Photographic Federation executive committee, being elected from the floor. In 1972, he became the first editor of the new Federation Newsletter - Northern Focus - and then, in 1976 became their Secretary for 5 years, until in 1984 he was elected Federation President. This he did for two years, but for many years he continued his very active role, serving on various sub committees. He was also Federation Archivist, a role he gave up only just recently. In the 1990s he chaired the Federation Centenary Committee, making sure that the celebrations were memorable and worthy, producing the Centenary Handbook along the way.
In 2003 he was made the first NCPF Honorary Life Vice President. This was given for exceptional service to the Federation, and in accordance with the rules, included at least 40yrs club membership.
He had numerous acceptances in International Exhibitions in the past, such that he was able to gain his AFIAP. He was also awarded the APSA for services to the amateur photographic community, by the PSA – The Photographic Society of America.
We should be very proud that Stan has stayed with us for all these years and has been an exceptional servant to this club and the wider Photographic community.
In view of all this, the committee have no hesitation in agreeing that Stan be elevated to the position of our first 'Honorary Life President'.
Howard Wilson, 25th April 2019 (Seconded by Jane Black).
It is over 30 years since Arthur Smith joined us.
He is and always has been one of our most creative workers, particularly, but not exclusively, in prints. Using film and digital, he has embraced all aspects of the medium, sufficiently to bring about superb images as he requires.
His work has been consistently of a high standard and has frequently been very highly marked in inter-club and Federation competitions. In the past he has won two judges medals in National Competitions.
Arthur has been a good ambassador for our Society over the years, both with his standard of work and in his visits to other clubs.
He has served on committee in the past and he held the post of Prints Competition Secretary for several years. Since then he has been a member of the selection committee and his views there are well respected.
With regard to hanging prints for Exhibitions, or after internal competitions, Arthur has always had the knack of putting them up in a way to show the prints at their best and no one else would attempt it without Arthur's say so or input.
In view of all this, the committee agreed that Arthur should be made an Honorary Life Member of the Society.
Howard Wilson, 11th March 2019 (Seconded by Stan Bewick).
This was our last AGM in the premises we have occupied for 62 years. The meeting was well attended, as shown in this photo:
Posted 10/4/19
Trevor Ermel writes:
The best films of the season were revealed on 8th April when Graham Relf judged our Annual Competition which had 11 entries.
First place went to new member Jim Shaw for his film 'Lesley and Friends', a documentary which cleverly blended some lovely close-up footage of swans with step-by-step views of his partner Lesley, an artist working in pastel crayons, as she recreated a beautiful swan portrait. Jim will be receiving the George Draper Shield at our Presentation Evening on 29th April.
Second place was awarded to Trevor Ermel with 'Paradise', a sort of 'pop video' featuring three grandchildren, with some fast editing to the soundtrack by George Ezra.
Third place went to Alwyn Scott, another member new to Tynemouth this season, with 'Teddy's Secret', a clever 'stop-motion' film about the antics of a teddy bear while his owner was out of the house.
The other trophy to be decided that night was the Kip Halsey Award for the film with the best nature content, which went to Trevor Ermel for his film 'Fly Away'. This was the tale of two herring gulls chicks which hatched on his rooftop and which were filmed over the course of the next five months from his back garden until they, well, flew away!
Considering Graham 'had not judged anything' previously (his own words!) his comments were very well received by the bumper audience of 17 in attendance that evening and everyone agreed it was an excellent way of winding down the video season, with only the AGM and Presentation Night to come. Our thanks go to Graham for the obvious care he had taken in assessing our entries and for his presentation of them.
Posted 1/4/19
Trevor Ermel recently entered a film on behalf of the Video Film-Making Group into a competition organised by Swan Moviemakers, in the IAC's North West Region. This was for a trophy in memory of a former Swan Moviemakers member who had previously worked for the BBC and ITV as a scriptwriter and actor - 'The Ray Dunbobbin Award for Best Original Script'.
Our film was Dave Peffer's 'The Dream', a period drama about the young boy whose hopes of competing in the forthcoming Olympic Games were shattered by **SPOILER ALERT** the outbreak of the First World War. (Although this wasn't revealed until the final shot there were enough clues leading up to it to enable some viewers to anticipate the outcome.)
I am delighted to announce that the film was awarded first place in the competition, so congratulations are in order to Dave Peffer, who wrote the script and narrated the voiceover, Reg Checkley who was one of the actors involved and Trevor Ermel who filmed and edited it.
We understand that the trophy will remain in the care of Swan Moviemakers but we are expecting to receive our First Place certificate in the post after the screening of the films at their clubrooms in Cheshire on 12th April.
Posted 2/3/19
Tynemouth Video Film-Making Group won the recent inter-club NECA Club Programme Competition, which we hosted on 25th February. Four clubs took part (from Darlington, Newcastle, South Shields and Tynemouth) and judging was by Rita Hayes FACI and members of her club, Shooters Hill in London. Our 20 minute winning entry comprised five films by three members plus a club film.
The picture shows the winning members being presented with the certificate by the NECA President. (Photograph by Steven Wears)
From the left are: John Burton (who provided two short comedies, 'Teething Troubles' and 'A Welcome Drink'); Alwyn Scott ('The Lighthouse', filmed at Tynemouth on a very stormy day with an atmospheric sound track and self-penned poetry); Tynemouth Chairman David Peffer (writer of the club film 'Next, please'); Brian Dunckley, NECA President; and Trevor Ermel ('The Pudding Run', an account of the 2018 Boxing Day fun run in Whitley Bay and 'Fly Away', the story of two herring gull chicks filmed over a five month period in his back garden).
Posted 30/11/18
Keith Hildreth won the Northumbria Trophy for the best entry in the Photo Travel section, taken by a member from an NCPF club. It was for his picture "A Wintry Morning".
Certificates were also awarded as follows.
- To members who had gained places in the NCPF Annual Competitions, held earlier in the year:
Dorothy Wilson, 3rd in the Preliminary PDI section.
- To members whose images were chosen to go into the NCPF Portfolio:
Keith Hildreth, John McGuinness, Brian Hardy and Howard Wilson.
- To members whose work had been selected by the Federation to be part of their entry into the national PAGB competition:
Keith Hildreth (print: "Tawny Owl with Prey") and John McGuinness (print: "Last Building at the Pit").