Category Archives: Club Nights

40th Anniversary Meeting – September 7th 2021

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We start the 2021/22 season with a special meeting to commemorate the Club reaching the ripe old age of 40 years. A “Summer” Competition was announced in July which was open to members of the public as well as Club members and the entries will be judged by Eddy Lane.

Awards will be presented to the top 3 entries and afterwards Eddy will show some of his wildlife images taken during the lockdown.

Over a cup of tea and with a slice of anniversary cake we will then look back over the past 40 years and recall some of the more amusing moments.

Past and present members are warmly invited to attend the meeting which will be held at our new meeting venue – The Ballroom on the first floor of The Angel Hotel, 47 High Street, RWB from 7.30 pm onwards.

Summer photoshoot #5 – Faringdon Town centre – 17/08/21

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What
Summer photoshoot #5
When
Tuesday, August 17, 2021
7:00pm - All Ages
Where
Faringdon Town Centre (map)
Southampton Street,
Swindon , Oxon SN7 7HL

The historic market town of Faringdon lies at the edge of the Cotswolds midway between Oxford and Swindon and sits in the Vale of the White Horse.

Known for its 100ft Folly Tower, the last major folly to be built in England. It sits close to the centre of the town centre on Folly Hill and offers fine views across 5 counties. Built by Lord Berners who lived at the 18th century Faringdon House. The town hall, surrounded by Georgian-fronted buildings, dates to the 17th century.
Other Info
The historic market town of Faringdon lies at the edge of the Cotswolds midway between Oxford and Swindon and sits in the Vale of the White Horse.

Known for its 100ft Folly Tower, the last major folly to be built in England. It sits close to the centre of the town centre on Folly Hill and offers fine views across 5 counties. Built by Lord Berners who lived at the 18th century Faringdon House. The town hall, surrounded by Georgian-fronted buildings, dates to the 17th century.

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Summer Photoshoot #4 – Plaums Pit – 03/08/21

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What
Summer Photoshoot #4
When
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
7:00pm - All Ages
Where
Plaums Pit (map)
off Cheney Manor Road
Swindon

A small pond in a former quarry which is surrounding by a park area

Other Info
A small pond in a former quarry surrounded by grass parkland in Cheney Manor

Suggested meeting place is at 7 pm in The Manor pub car park (permission has been sought) and please park behind the pub in the right hand corner. There is a path from the car park that leads to the pond. Obvious opportunity for a beer after the photoshoot .

The pub is located on Cheney Manor Road, Swindon SN2 2NX

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Summer Photoshoot #3 – The Lawns – 20/07/21

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What
Summer Photoshoot #3
When
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
7:00pm - All Ages
Where
The Lawns (map)
Old Towm
Swindon SN3 1EH

Situated to the east of Swindon's Old Town, and featurting parkland with woods, meadows and lakes and the remains of an Italian sunken garden and the site of Swindon’s original parish church – Holy Rood. This was once the estate of the Goddards, a prominent Swindon family.
Please use the public car parks in Old Town. Access can be gained to the park area via Charlotte Mews (adjacent to Dominos Pizza)
Meet outside Dominos at 7 pm
Other Info
Parkland with woods, meadows and lakes and featuring the remains of an Italian sunken garden and the site of Swindon’s original parish church – Holy Rood.

This was once the estate of the Goddards, a prominent Swindon family. The beautiful walks offer fantastic views across the town and the park also hosts many summer events including the Old Town Festival.

Park in Dammas Lane, Old Town and meet outside Dominos at 7 pm

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Summer Outing – Severn Valley Railway – 11/07/21

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What
Summer Outing
When
Sunday, July 11, 2021
8:00am - All Ages
Where
Severn Valley Railway (map)
Kidderminster

Heritage steam railway from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth
Other Info
Full day visit to the Severn Valley Railway at Kidderminster to take The Explorer train at 11 am to Bridgnorth and return late afternoon
Self drive and car sharing is recommended as numbers do not justify expense of hiring a minibus.

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Summer Photoshoot #2 – Cricklade Town centre – 06/07/21

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What
Summer Photoshoot #2
When
Tuesday, July 6, 2021
7:00pm - All Ages
Where
Cricklade Town centre (map)
High Street
Cricklade, UK

Saxon town with attractive High Street, St Sampsons Church and River Thames most westerly navigation point
Meet outside the Jubilee Clock at roundabout on High St and Calcutt St.
free parking at the Town hall and along the High St
Other Info
Saxon town with attractive High Street, St Sampsons Church and River Thames most westerly navigation point
Meet outside the Jubilee Clock on roundabout on High St and Calcutt St at 7pm.
Free parking at the Town Hall and along the High St

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Summer Photoshoot #1 – Old Town gardens – 22/06/21

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What
Summer Photoshoot #1
When
Tuesday, June 22, 2021
7:00pm - All Ages
Where
Old Town Gardens (map)
Quarry Road
Swindon, Wiltshire, UK SN1 4EN

A Victorian garden set in an old quarry which used to produce Portland stone. Beautiful English formal gardening at its best. Some beautiful colours in Spring with borders of bright polyanthus, tulips and pansies amongst the flowering cherries.
In summer enjoy the lovely rose garden and other areas full of vibrant colours. There is a formal pond and sitting area close to aviary.
Other Info
Pleasant Victorian garden set in an old quarry for Portland Stone.
Free on-road parking in Quarry Road or Westlecot Road.
Meet at main entrance at 7pm
The Royal Oak and Wheatsheaf pubs on Devizes Road are within walking distance

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Awards Presentation – The Angel Hotel Ballroom – 14/06/21

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What
Awards Presentation
When
Monday, June 14, 2021
7:30pm - All Ages
Where
The Angel Hotel Function Room (map)
47 High Street
Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 7AQ

The Function Room is located on the first floor at the hotel. It can be accesssed either through the front entrance and up the stairs by the bar or through the rear courtyard where there is a set of metal stairs on the left hand side.
Please note that there is unfortunately no Disability access to the Function Room.
Other Info
Presentation of awards and social evening

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Series and Themed Competitions – May 25th 2021

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The evening started with a short introduction featuring examples of series of images that had a readily discernible connection between the images. We then viewed the set of images that had been submitted and which the membership had voted on prior to the Zoom meeting. Although the scores were closely grouped, the overall winning series of images was “Motorcycles” by Dave Garmont, taken during a visit to the Castle Combe race circuit.

“Food” was the set subject competition and a wide range of interpretations had been used. The overall winning image was “Summer Harvest” by Adam Kowalczyk.

The evening was rounded off by Jim Bullock who let us into the secret of his home studio location and explained how he had used a simple set up with card reflectors, a speedlight, a diffuser screen and cloth backdrop to achieve some very impressive images of glass containers, smarties in free fall and flying pasta, ably assisted by his well developed Photoshop skills. Hopefully our imaginations have been fired by the creativity that can be achieved with a basic home studio set up.