Photo Day and Memorial Lecture

The Photo Day and Memorial Lecture are two events occurring on the same day. Held every year they present all members of NEMPF affiliated clubs the opportunity to visit locations they may well not have heard of before and at the same time meet new friends and renew old acquaintances from other clubs. Plus the evening lecture (free of charge) is often given by a speaker you may well not be able to get to visit your local club.

This years events where hosted by the Long Eaton Camera Club and they arranged three available visits for us to choose from.

The first was the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust flagship reserve and visitors centre at Attenborough. For those experts in natural history photography and especially anyone interested in birds you will almost certainly heard of if not visited this reserve. If you haven't, make a date to visit as soon as you can. The staff on site are knowledgeable and helpful. Plus there is a very nice cafe with grand views over the lake.

The second visit is to the famous Trent Lock. This hub of the inland water ways is a junction between the River's Trent and Sour and the Erewash canal. The whole area is steeped with the history of this bygone transport network. It is now very much a leisure facility for boat owners and sailing club members and with it's plethora of wildlife it is a haven for photographers too. Plus with two pubs and a very nice tea rooms right at the side of the water it's a nice spot just to sit and while away the time.

The third and final visit was to the Donnington Collection at the motor racing circuit near the East Midlands airport. This privately owned museum boasts the largest collection of Formula 1 racing cars in the country besides a whole array of other motor vehicles and paraphernalia. With cameras allowed in the museum it is truly a treat for anyone interested in motor sport and photography.

Following our visits and you can read some individual reviews here, we convened at the Women's Institute in Sawley, the home of the Long Eaton CC, for light refreshments and to await the arrival of the lecturer. Carol Cheetham and her team did a splendid job of providing the sustenance and all at very reasonable prices.

The lecturer was a local and well known in NEMPF, although his lecturing is now somewhat impeded by an eye problem that prevents him driving at night. Non the less Colin Gibson FRPS gave us a wonderful review of his passion for black and white photography. You can read more about Colin's lecture in David Gibbins review.

Now it has to be said that we didn't enjoy the best of weather for a photographic outing and I would not expect to be seeing many winning entries in the NEMPF exhibition taken at this event, but it was a plea sent day with pleasant company and our thanks go to Long Eaton CC and the members and Dorothy Plowright, NEMPF's social secretary who helped organise and run the event.

Next years event will be hosted by Newark and District PS and given the many suburb photographic locations in the area we have great hopes of a worth while event (weather permitting). Keep you eye on the website for more info as and when it becomes available.

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