STOKESLEY PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY (Published March 2003)
Stokesley Photographic Society started from a chance remark when two friends were out on a walk, enjoying the countryside. One said to the other it could be a good idea to start a photographic club. That throwaway line between John Preston and John Davies grew into Stokesley Photographic Society. John Preston placed advertisements in the local media, arranged for the preliminary meeting at a local hotel in 1986 and became the first Chairman. John Davies also had a long stint as Chairman and both men were recently made Honorary Vice-Presidents as a recognition for the founding of the Club and the outstanding length of committee service respectively.
Being situated close to the North York Moors (and relatively near other outstanding areas of natural beauty - Yorkshire Dales, Lake District, Durham and Northumberland to name but a few), it is perhaps understandable that the club, as a whole, concentrates on landscapes, flora and fauna. After all it was a walk in the country that led to the birth of the club.
The Society is a relatively young club and is grateful to the neighbouring clubs and their members who helped in the creation of the club. The Society is a small, friendly club that meets in the Town Hall on Thursday evenings. Afterwards several members adjourn to the local inn for more photographic talk and the odd drink.
The committee encourages all members to take photographs by allocating certain evenings for showing their work outside of the pressure of the usual competition evenings. Also on Thursday evenings during the summer break the club goes on "safari" (weather permitting) around the local area when the less experienced can gain more expertise from others. Unfortunately during 2002 Thursday evenings were a washout and the landlady of the local inn became used to our moaning about the vagaries of the English weather.
Bill Groves, Secretary, Stokesley Photographic Society