Earlier this year our club and the North of England lost a special friend and photographer when 'Bert' as he was always affectionately known died peacefully in hospital on Saturday 31st March after a long illness which rapidly worsened this year.
Albert Snell came to Sunderland over 50 years ago from a mining village near Doncaster, though his father had originated from Sunderland. In his 20's Bert was skilled enough to play for Sunderland AFC with well know footballers such as Len Shackleton and Trevor Ford. When injury caused his early retirement from the game Bert began teaching in Sunderland and with further study gained a degree, he rapidly progressed to Deputy Head of Monkwearmouth Comprehensive School and then Head Teacher of Heworth Comprehensive School in Gateshead, a wonderful career.
Apart from his occupation Bert had another never ending love - PHOTOGRAPHY. He became a member of Sunderland Photographic Association about forty years ago and throughout all those years he was always a leading light in the club and a devoted supporter of all its activities. An Honorary Vice President, Past President, always a committee member, a great servant, but above all he was ever ready to give advice, help and guidance in his quiet, thoughtful, softly spoken manner. At the time of the SPA Centenary Bert produced an excellent comprehensive history of the club which was printed for club members and friends.
Many aspects of photography were practised by Bert, AV, with which he gained his ARPS, colour slides, monochrome and colour prints were constantly produced, landscapes and candid shots of people were of particular interest to him, however he will always be remembered for his dramatic "letterbox format" photographs of the rough North Sea waves breaking over Roker Pier and with his dry sense of Humour I'm sure that he always enjoyed the joke that living on the sea front he did not have to leave the house to take these but took them through the letterbox or from the front window.
This love of photography extended beyond the club scene, he served on the NCPF Executive Committee for a number of years during which time he held several posts, Treasurer, President and member of Judges Sub-Committee, and in recognition of his work was awarded APAGB. Bert was a founder member of "Images" Group, an invited member of Gamma Photoforum, an Alliance Judge, Lecturer, international exhibitor and for thirty years a committed supporter of NCPF and RPS Courses, events and lectures, he rarely missed any of them. There were very few clubs that Bert had not visited to do some judging or to give one of his colourful, interesting talks.
Throughout this full and eventful life Bert always received devoted love and support from his wife Pat, who was herself a hard working member of SPA for many years and their children Howard and Andrée to whom we offer our deepest sympathy.
Rest in Peace Bert, memories of you and your photography will be with us forever.
Arnold Hubbard
JACK MORGAN
BLYTH PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
It is with great regret that Blyth Photographic Society announce the death of their longest serving member - Jack Morgan - who passed away on Saturday 24th March 2007.
Jack was a member at Blyth for over 50 years, first joining in 1949. His years of dedication and service were recently rewarded with the Society's first Honorary Life Membership.
No luddite, Jack pursued all forms of image-making from still through to cine and in recently years embracing the modern digital era.
Not one to be beaten Jack once decided to build a darkroom. Not an ordinary darkroom, a real one - in the coalhouse.
His knowledge of photography was vast but not jealously guarded. It was given freely, simply and with great humour.
Over the years Jack did a great deal for fundraising organising many raffles and events to enhance the club's finances.
His absence on Thursday Evenings and Summer Outings will be sorely felt.
All our Society members send their warmest thoughts to Joyce and her family.
We have lost a wonderful photographer, gentleman and a great friend.
Stuart Air, Secretary, Blyth Photographic Society
J G BROWN ARPS
1927-2007
Gordon Brown joined South Shields Photographic Society in 1961 and was very quick to create his own distinctive style of photography which lead him to gain many awards for his pictures both within our Society but also within the NCPF. In 1981 he gained his Associateship of the Royal Society and was at that time a very creditable judge and lecturer on the Federation circuit. Gordon was a school teacher and was very keen to introduce and encourage young people who had an interest in our art and today we have members of the society who were taught by him during their schooling days.
On the home front he was our President in 1968 and 1970 and held a number of officers including Syllabus Secretary and editor of our news magazine "Viewfinder". In 1983 he was elected to Honorary Vice President and Honorary Life Member in 2001. Both he and his wife Monica enjoyed their Society membership and were keen supporters of all club events. Sadly whilst on holiday in 2000 he suffered a massive stroke which left him extremely incapacitated Gordon was hospitalised. Monica also at this time suffered poor health and died shortly after this time. Gordon never recovered from his stroke and spent his remaining years in nursing care.
Gordon and Monica were keen church attendees at St Michael and All Angels church in Westoe Road which is rather quite apt as the church has been our headquarters for the last two years. His distinctive style and objective views on photography will never be repeated, he greatly missed by all that knew him.
Phil Dunn, Hon Secretary, South Shields Photographic Society