SEAHAM PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY REACHES YEAR 50 (Published Sept 2001)
Seaham Photographic Society will celebrate its 50th anniversary in September 2001. It probably is older than that, there was a photographic gathering in the 1930's and 1940's, but no written evidence seems to be held. The current society may never have achieved the larger membership of the likes of Sunderland, Tynemouth or Washington, but despite being one of the "smaller" clubs it has achieved it's share of greatness.
It had some particularly memorable times in the late 1970's and 1980's. In 1979 Practical Photography magazine in conjunction with the Hoya lens and filter manufacturer announced a Top Club competition aimed at all photographic clubs in the country. In July 1979 the first competition came to a conclusion with Spectrum of Guernsey the winners and Saltburn with the well known but sadly departed Dr. Mike Constable at the forefront.
The 1980 challenge saw Seaham enter the race, along with Spectrum and Saltburn again and over five separate rounds Seaham came to the front and were declared winners in July 1980. The next competition ran over late 1981 and into 1982 and this time clubs were eliminated after each round. The three clubs previously mentioned were all in the last twenty four, but at the third round Saltburn went out, Spectrum went out in the fourth round leaving Seaham as one of the last three. When the results were published in the August 1982 magazine Seaham were the winners.
The reputation of Seaham Photographic Society was sealed by this second win and for the next ten years Seaham Society were regularly seen as the dark horse of many competitions.
Many photographers have contributed to the success of the club over the years, but mention has to be made of Bryan Snowball and Brian Angus who secured the reputation of the club in the 1970's and 1980's. Many more all played their part in ensuring that Seaham were a club to be carefully watched when it came to competitions.
Over the last decade Seaham has continued to have successful photographers but maybe not as many as we would like.
Many tasks are falling upon one or two individuals which can take time away from photography. However, the club may be down in numbers but it is not out. It is always seen as a friendly club to visit, we still have our enthusiastic members and we will hopefully rise to fight another day.
Tom Noble, Secretary, Seaham Photographic Society