At this last meeting before the AGM possible Rule changes were discussed together with their implications. President elect, Roger Dye, circulated the Syllabus for 2008-9 drawing attention, in particular, to the proposed club internal competitions - three Print-worker competitions and three Projected image competitions. With the reduced emphasis by club members on slides due to the increasing take-up of Digital photography, the competition evenings had become increasingly unbalanced. The last club competition had been a case in point with 92 prints and 25 slides, the prints had taken most of the evening, leaving little time for the slide competition. Also the earlier Projected Digital image evening had been a great success. It therefore seemed appropriate to have separate evenings for Prints and Projected images. The committee endorsed this approach. Digital workers would have the opportunity to submit an image as a projected image rather than as a print, and this might reduce the number of prints submitted, but would greatly increase the number of projected images. Digital images could be highly manipulated and it was suggested that we should retain the Slideworker of the Year accolade for true slides (Ie not slides made from digital images – It was suggested that slides should be original film slides, or their duplicates) In this way it was hoped to maintain the integrity and value of the true slide-worker. whilst ensuring good competition evenings in which all could participate. Roger proposed changes to the Club-Worker competition rules to accommodate the introduction of projected digital images to the competition system. In general this meant replacing the word Slide with the words Projected image. The modified wording would be presented for approval at the AGM.

Barry Pearson, the retiring Competition Secretary, noted that some members still ignored the rules as to Print sizes, and occasionally forgot to put in an entry form with their Prints or Slides. They thus forfeited the right to say which image would be discarded if numbers had to be reduced (besides causing much extra work for the competition secretary. If the prints were too big to fit in the box members could expect their print to be left out of the competition, on practical grounds.

Treasurer Geoff Robinson reported a healthy financial state for the Society from which we concluded that he would not propose a subscription increase at the AGM.

It was reported that a proposal for a separate Monochrome class in club competitions would be discussed at the AGM. The proposers felt the need to emphasise the value of a monochrome image. The committee generally agreed that some images were best presented as monochrome, but thought that this fact itself was sufficient to promote the value of the monochrome image. We continued to get a steady flow of monochrome images in competitions. The committee were generally against introducing new classes – rather were we reducing the number of sections in our Annual Exhibition. However a general discussion at the AGM of the value of the Monochrome image would be a useful device to air these points.

Colin Pickles noted that some Airlines (including Easy-Jet) were introducing “baggage handling charges”. Those members going to Berlin should be prepared for this possible shock.

President Tony Redford went through the list ensuring that we would have volunteers for the various posts that needed filling. Some members stated that they would wish to leave the committee and Martin Currie thought it important to have a turnover with new club-members joining to get involved and experience at first-hand how the club was run. Tony thanked committee members for their co-operation and enthusiasm which had made his Presidency a real pleasure. He produced red and white wine to accompany the refreshments, and some members hoped he was establishing a precedent for future Presidents. The committee thanked Tony and Dorothy for their hospitality.

Bill Chadband

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