STANHOPE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY (Published Sept 2003)
In the early 1960's there was an interest shown in photography by a few people in the dale. But it was not until 1966 in the quiet town of Stanhope in the heart of Weardale that this interest took a step forward. A meeting was arranged in the Barrington School at the west end of the town. It did not last long in the school, two weeks in fact. Just long enough to find out what costs would be involved at such a venue. The look out for a new meeting place did not take long. Move into a pub was the cry, we could always blame the alcohol for any out of focus pictures. The then Phoenix Hotel (now known as the Bonny Moor Hen) in the Market Place was just the spot. A room was kindly given by the late Eric and Pat Patterson. We called ourselves the Stanhope and Weardale Camera Club.
The first couple of years was a hand to mouth affair, talking and looking at each others' pictures which we all thought were stunning and fantastic (mind you we were just starting).
It was not until 1968 that we took a giant step forward and joined the NCPF. "What's that stand for" someone shouted, "Nowt Can Possibly Fail" was the quick reply and so started our long association with the Federation. We changed our name to the Stanhope Photographic Society. 1968 saw our first printed programme for our members, who at that time were in the region of 25-30 people mostly in their 20's and 30's. How times have changed.
In the 1970s and 1980s we had slide and print battles with Nalgo of Durham, Esh Winning, Consett and still today we have slide battles with Stanley and Teesdale. We did for 11 years have a postal slide battle with Bargued from the Welsh Federation.
In those early years we put on slide shows for the general public in the Church Hall and on a number of occasions we held shows in the Town Hall. Allan Potts with his A.V. Show "Sounds of Northumbria" had an audience reaching 200. Great Great days.
In 1991 we held an exhibition of our work, slides and prints, in the Dales Centre to celebrate our 25th Anniversary.
We have broken with tradition (meeting in Pubs, three of them in all) and are now in the Community Centre. Pictures seem to be a bit sharper, no it could not be the beer, could it?
Over the years we have been helped by many talented people from the Federation giving their time and expertise which was and still is very much appreciated.
It has been hard at times keeping afloat but we are still hanging in there and hope to do so for some time yet.
May the good light go with you.
John G Banks LRPS, DPAGB. Stanhope Photographic Society