On Saturday 21st June Joyce and Gordon Robson, Phil Riley and Bill Chadband attended the L&CPU delegates meeting at Astley Village Community Centre. We were to approve some minor rule changes (to satisfy outside bodies), receive a treasurer’s report, applaud the competition winners, and observe the opening of the Print Exhibition at nearby Astley Hall, Chorley.

The treasurer (Gordon Jenkins) observed that though the affiliation fees had remained constant for this session (£3.55 per club member), fuel prices had increased by 50% whilst 70% of the Union’s expenses related to travel! He was thus warning of an inevitable increase next time round. The rule changes were apparently put off until the next AGM.

Doug Cousins was admitted to the role of Honour.

Under AOB a member queried the choice of images selected for the Folios. This did not strictly follow the marks awarded. In response it was stated that additional criteria applied, such as endeavouring to get a wide representation of the Clubs where this was possible.

Another member raised the role of the club selection committee in the images sent for judgement in the Annual Exhibition. In reply it was pointed out that individuals were encouraged to send entries since this had a bearing on whether they could enter for CPAGB etc status. But entries were made via the Club Competition secretary and a club could encourage entries to give it a better chance of a club award.

Another member claimed all his club entries had received Zero marks. It was explained to him that this meant the entries had not been judged. This happened when they were unable to read the CD sent in by the club. It was noted that RW CD’s were best avoided when submitting images.

The Exhibition Awards were then made. Certificates of Merit were awarded to Gordon Robson, Phil Riley (and in absentia) Dorothy Redford, Alan Saunders and Martin Currie. Martin Currie was then awarded the medals for both Print Photographer of the Year, and Digital Photographer of the year. Slide Photographer of the year went jointly to Chris Hague and Ed Roper of Wigan 10 with Phil Riley coming 4th. Ed Roper and Colin Smith, both of Wigan 10 were jointly awarded the title of Overall Photographer of the year.

Click here for pictures of the award presentations (on the L&CPU website)

After the meeting had closed we moved on to Astley Hall where L&CPU President Norman Thompson declared the Exhibition formally open.

Since our PAGB entry for this year was kept back the L&CPU 2007 PAGB entries were include in the Exhibition.

Thus we noted the following NCPS entries in the Exhibition.

No.12 Lord of the Isles - Colin Pickles

No.84 The Engine Man - Jon Allanson

No.85 Sadhu at Pushkar Fair - Martin Currie

No.112 Wild Kite, Essence of Flight - Alan Saunders

No.137 Wild Grey Seal - Alan Saunders

Prints not exhibited but included in the Folios

No.202 Duart Castle, Isle of Mull - Alan Saunders

No.228 Sadya - Martin Currie

No.229 Tram Shed - Geoff Robinson

N0.230 Arriving at Pushkar Camel Fair - Martin Currie

No.231First Light Derwentwater - Gordon Robson

No.232 Road Rage 2 - Geoff Robinson

No.303 Arctic Tern in Flight - Martin Currie

Bill Chadband