CCC History: Reaching the Majority - The 1980s
by Paul Bradley
by Paul Bradley
The Club had home produced its Annual Programme since its inception. The dawn of the 1980s saw the Club Programme being produced by Messrs Dee-Webb of Bushey. The content seemed more relaxed and a bit more upbeat with evenings such as “Theres More than One way to Kill a Cat” presented by current Annual Show stalwart Paul Lynham. Even the traditional Ladies versus Gents competition was now described as “Guys and Dolls” battle. There were still the more sedate traditional activities such as the Annual Dinner and the autumn outing - so it was still something for everybody.
1981/2 season saw the coming of age of Croxley Camera Club. Bernard Fox was at the helm taking over from founder member Dick Hassell. The Club celebrated its 21st birthday in a number of ways. A sub committee was created to produce a float for the June Croxley Revels parade and an Anniversary Celebration Dinner took place on the 3 October 1981 at Fingist.
1981/2 season saw the coming of age of Croxley Camera Club. Bernard Fox was at the helm taking over from founder member Dick Hassell. The Club celebrated its 21st birthday in a number of ways. A sub committee was created to produce a float for the June Croxley Revels parade and an Anniversary Celebration Dinner took place on the 3 October 1981 at Fingist.
(© Dick Hassell) Top hatted Don Glenister on the Clubs 21st Anniversary float at the 1981 Revels on the Green
(© CCC) Croxley Camera Club lines up to celebrate 21 years in 1981
(© CCC) Croxley Camera Club lines up to celebrate 21 years in 1981
1) Harry Packman 2) Mike Collins 3) Pekwan Collins 4) Glynn Edwards Btwn 4/5) Sheila Edwards 5) Alf Warren 6) Hilde Sharp 7) Brian Squires 8) Don Glenister 9) Nancy Warren 10) Slyvia Glenister 11) Dick Hassell 12) Marie Hassell 13) Pat Watson 14) Jim Richards 15) Sinclair Watson 16) Betty Norman 17) Geoff Hermon 18) Paul Lynham 19) Alan Walmsley 20) President - Bernard Fox 21) Alan Sharp 22) Frank Hardwick 23) Kath Howard 24) Frank Collins 25) Ernest Taylor 26) Barbara Lynham 27) John Phillpott 28) Elizabeth Phillpott 29) Mrs Walmsley 30) Tony Kibbles 31) Glen ? 32) John Newbury 33) Mary Newbury 34) Bob Bell
Can you name any of the others?
Money was always on the agenda and the AGM that year introduced a subscription increase and a 50p charge for visitors. A 50p levy was also requested for chemicals used at, or as a result of, the Studio evenings which were held on Friday nights at member W Blackmans home in New Road. The print boards used by the Club were upgraded that year and a cupboard in the Church Hall obtained for storage. Also on the equipment front the hall screen was replaced. It was not all good news though and an insurance claim was made for some “stolen equipment”.
More problems for the Chairman in December too, when he had to give his apologies for absence to the December meeting as he was stuck in snow!
1982 saw further no doubt heated debate about the number of times an image could be entered for competition – the committee agreed to look into this but there was no immediate clarification. Committee were also taxed by an observation from new members that they seemed to be outcasts at Club. Indeed it was noted that a lot of new members only came for the initial meeting and were never seen again, an experience resurrecting itself today. This was looked into urgently and ideas such as mentorship were quickly put into place. Support of the October Annual Show was also debated especially the poor support from members. To encourage attendance the entry was reduced by 50p but with little effect, but it was agreed that from the 1983 show it would be held later in the year.
The 1983 the Annual Show was duly held in January and a Bring and Buy Sale became another annual event. An interesting variation to the Programme was an evening where members discussed the merits of local slides and prints. An evening was also dedicated to a 16mm Sound Film Show – further evidence that the Club covered most photographic mediums. Bernard Fox was the President for that 1982-3 season and his well known preference for all things trains was reflected in an item from the Programme, namely “After Beeching”. Although a set subject of “Tubes” might also have had the Fox influence?
Money was always on the agenda and the AGM that year introduced a subscription increase and a 50p charge for visitors. A 50p levy was also requested for chemicals used at, or as a result of, the Studio evenings which were held on Friday nights at member W Blackmans home in New Road. The print boards used by the Club were upgraded that year and a cupboard in the Church Hall obtained for storage. Also on the equipment front the hall screen was replaced. It was not all good news though and an insurance claim was made for some “stolen equipment”.
More problems for the Chairman in December too, when he had to give his apologies for absence to the December meeting as he was stuck in snow!
1982 saw further no doubt heated debate about the number of times an image could be entered for competition – the committee agreed to look into this but there was no immediate clarification. Committee were also taxed by an observation from new members that they seemed to be outcasts at Club. Indeed it was noted that a lot of new members only came for the initial meeting and were never seen again, an experience resurrecting itself today. This was looked into urgently and ideas such as mentorship were quickly put into place. Support of the October Annual Show was also debated especially the poor support from members. To encourage attendance the entry was reduced by 50p but with little effect, but it was agreed that from the 1983 show it would be held later in the year.
The 1983 the Annual Show was duly held in January and a Bring and Buy Sale became another annual event. An interesting variation to the Programme was an evening where members discussed the merits of local slides and prints. An evening was also dedicated to a 16mm Sound Film Show – further evidence that the Club covered most photographic mediums. Bernard Fox was the President for that 1982-3 season and his well known preference for all things trains was reflected in an item from the Programme, namely “After Beeching”. Although a set subject of “Tubes” might also have had the Fox influence?
(© Kath Howard) The Three Rivers District Calendar 1984 – less dates!
Mrs Norman became the first woman to hold the Presidency twice, in 1983-4. That season also saw the beginnings of the Calendar Project. Mrs Brew, the Chairman of Three Rivers Council, approached the Croxley Club to provide images for a Council proposed Three Rivers Calendar for 1984.
The images were duly supplied by the Club and despite a couple being rejected as unsuitable by the Council, the 1984 Calendar was launched at a Watersmeet sherry reception on 30 September 1983 with full press coverage. The first issue cost 60p to produce and had a cover price of £1.20. Interestingly it was only available to groups and societies in minimum batches of 20. Croxley Camera Club took 120 copies. However the edition sold out and the calendar became a regular part of the Clubs activities, of which more later.
The need for local calendar images seemed to prompt an interest in the recording of the local area. One black and white print competition that year carried a footnote “ to build up a reference folio of the local community”. Even after just 24 years the output would be of great interest today.
Other snippets from 1983 were the continuing good results in the Rosebowl when the Club were again runners up. The Club also won a prize of a different sort with the Hazel Rogers stand prize at the Revels on the Green.
The images were duly supplied by the Club and despite a couple being rejected as unsuitable by the Council, the 1984 Calendar was launched at a Watersmeet sherry reception on 30 September 1983 with full press coverage. The first issue cost 60p to produce and had a cover price of £1.20. Interestingly it was only available to groups and societies in minimum batches of 20. Croxley Camera Club took 120 copies. However the edition sold out and the calendar became a regular part of the Clubs activities, of which more later.
The need for local calendar images seemed to prompt an interest in the recording of the local area. One black and white print competition that year carried a footnote “ to build up a reference folio of the local community”. Even after just 24 years the output would be of great interest today.
Other snippets from 1983 were the continuing good results in the Rosebowl when the Club were again runners up. The Club also won a prize of a different sort with the Hazel Rogers stand prize at the Revels on the Green.
(© Marie Hassell) The Club caravan wins the Hazel Rogers Cup at the 1983 Revels
There was much discussion regarding remaining in the Chilterns Association as it covered such a large area. However the Club now had access to a minibus in Rickmansworth at a rate of 30p per mile. Member Mr Watson was our nominated driver. Studio evenings were noted as being “heavily subscribed but with little output” which was disappointing. Indeed the death knell finally sounded that November when Mr Blackman had to withdraw his facility.
The Club had lots to talk about, maybe too much as there was much complaint about the chatter in the Hall when speakers or judges were presenting. On a more positive note a Club Dinner was held at Durrants and in answer to a members query the age of a junior was generously defined as “upto 25 years”.
1984 started with an Orwellian decree from the Committee – “No volunteers, no tea.” There were rumblings (not for the first or last time) about the quality judges as well. In fact there was a serious proposal that in future, competitions should only be judged by members due to “destructive comments” upsetting particularly the newer members. The Club was still very active and experimented with an Exhibition of its work in the Midland Bank which was a great success. Whilst the Club failed to win the Rosebowl, member George Hepplewhite did come away with the Slide of the Year Award.
Whilst work to the hall was of a minor nature, disruption was being felt by the Shaftesbury Society building project on the grounds behind the meeting place, which severely reduced parking. In the hall the print display panels were now showing there age. After some thought a new design of hanger was proposed by Messrs Blackman and Randall – these were subsequently produced for a cost of £25. On the administration side Lesley Laughton became Club Secretary, a post she still holds in 2006. The Club had so many activities that there was another proposal to extend the season to June but the hall was already booked up.
The Club attended the Revels again, projecting slides in a caravan loaned by Mr Watson. Photos were taken by members at the event and put on sale to raise money for the Club. A complaint was raised with the Chairman of the Croxley Society (Ken Owen – a future Club member) about the absence of toilet facilities at the Revels but apparently they were too expensive to provide which was very inconvenient! The Club dinner that year did have en suite facilities though when it was held in the Chess Room at Watersmeet.
No sooner had the 21st Celebrations past than the 25th anniversary arrived in 1985 with another Club stalwart Graham Laughton as President for this important year.
The Club entered a float at the Croxley Revels supported by Fuji and Konica. A working group was set up to organise an Anniversary Show at Watersmeet on 12 October. 400 people paid £2 each to see Pollocks Pictorial Peepshow again provided entertainment. Involved in the event was TV Mastermind and local resident, Fred Housego. Fred lived in Durrants Drive, Croxley and was briefly a member of the Club, occasionally promoting Club activities through his London Weekend contacts. £130 of the sum raised at this show was donated to the RPS in Bath towards installation of a disabled lift.
25th Anniversary celebrations continued on 22 November with a 4 course Anniversary Dinner, again in the Chess Suite at Watersmeet at a cost of £9.95 each. As the dust had settled on a momentous year the slides for a 1985 Three Rivers calendar were selected by members – a proposed joint Calendar venture with the Clements Club was not pursued.
1985 also saw another Rosebowl final achieved and “Anniversary” print display in the Midland Bank. The CACC joined the PAGB. Barbara Clifford was charged with putting together pictures of old Croxley for a book. A role she is repeating in 2006, but this time in an electronic medium for a DVD. A survey of members was held that year which showed a few interested in black and white printing and slides with most interested in colour prints although a fair number noted they wanted no advice at all!
The Club had lots to talk about, maybe too much as there was much complaint about the chatter in the Hall when speakers or judges were presenting. On a more positive note a Club Dinner was held at Durrants and in answer to a members query the age of a junior was generously defined as “upto 25 years”.
1984 started with an Orwellian decree from the Committee – “No volunteers, no tea.” There were rumblings (not for the first or last time) about the quality judges as well. In fact there was a serious proposal that in future, competitions should only be judged by members due to “destructive comments” upsetting particularly the newer members. The Club was still very active and experimented with an Exhibition of its work in the Midland Bank which was a great success. Whilst the Club failed to win the Rosebowl, member George Hepplewhite did come away with the Slide of the Year Award.
Whilst work to the hall was of a minor nature, disruption was being felt by the Shaftesbury Society building project on the grounds behind the meeting place, which severely reduced parking. In the hall the print display panels were now showing there age. After some thought a new design of hanger was proposed by Messrs Blackman and Randall – these were subsequently produced for a cost of £25. On the administration side Lesley Laughton became Club Secretary, a post she still holds in 2006. The Club had so many activities that there was another proposal to extend the season to June but the hall was already booked up.
The Club attended the Revels again, projecting slides in a caravan loaned by Mr Watson. Photos were taken by members at the event and put on sale to raise money for the Club. A complaint was raised with the Chairman of the Croxley Society (Ken Owen – a future Club member) about the absence of toilet facilities at the Revels but apparently they were too expensive to provide which was very inconvenient! The Club dinner that year did have en suite facilities though when it was held in the Chess Room at Watersmeet.
No sooner had the 21st Celebrations past than the 25th anniversary arrived in 1985 with another Club stalwart Graham Laughton as President for this important year.
The Club entered a float at the Croxley Revels supported by Fuji and Konica. A working group was set up to organise an Anniversary Show at Watersmeet on 12 October. 400 people paid £2 each to see Pollocks Pictorial Peepshow again provided entertainment. Involved in the event was TV Mastermind and local resident, Fred Housego. Fred lived in Durrants Drive, Croxley and was briefly a member of the Club, occasionally promoting Club activities through his London Weekend contacts. £130 of the sum raised at this show was donated to the RPS in Bath towards installation of a disabled lift.
25th Anniversary celebrations continued on 22 November with a 4 course Anniversary Dinner, again in the Chess Suite at Watersmeet at a cost of £9.95 each. As the dust had settled on a momentous year the slides for a 1985 Three Rivers calendar were selected by members – a proposed joint Calendar venture with the Clements Club was not pursued.
1985 also saw another Rosebowl final achieved and “Anniversary” print display in the Midland Bank. The CACC joined the PAGB. Barbara Clifford was charged with putting together pictures of old Croxley for a book. A role she is repeating in 2006, but this time in an electronic medium for a DVD. A survey of members was held that year which showed a few interested in black and white printing and slides with most interested in colour prints although a fair number noted they wanted no advice at all!
(© CCC) Programme 1985 1986
1986 found the cost of the hall hire rising by 33% to £7.30 an evening. Thought was briefly given to moving but the committee felt that this increase still represented good value for money for the facilities available. There was however a knock on effect on membership fees. Junior rates were restored but the proposal to have a specific rate for the unemployed was rejected.
1986 saw a lot of debate on slide related issues not least that the projector was still prone to jamming. Complaints were made by the projectionist about “poorly prepared slides” often in cardboard mounts bound with sticky tape. The screen was also the subject of scrutiny as it was felt it had discoloured and was now creased. The Committee under Mr Triggs promised to keep an eye on this but there were insufficient funds at the moment for a replacement.
A Calendar was produced again by Three Rivers with pictures provided by the Club, who increased their order to 250. That summer the outing was to the Thames Barrier in East London, however it seemed like a disaster from beginning to end as the coach got lost which meant the Club missed a scheduled boat trip, on top of that the weather was described as “atrocious”. A far better time was had at the Annual Dinner which was held at the Fairway Inn in Rickmansworth.
For some time the Club had been aware of proposed large scale building works on the Church Hall. Indeed contingency arrangements were put in place to transfer the September meetings to the Methodist Hall in New Road and to arrange visits to other Clubs during the disruption. In the end the works were delayed and the evenings were conducted at St Oswalds as usual.
In fact the works were postponed again in 1987, but there was still some disruption to Club Nights as St Oswalds Church required the Hall that October for their 50th Anniversary Celebrations. In competitions the quantity and quality of print entries was falling but slide competitions were over subscribed to the point that entries were being limited.
A very successful Jumble Sale raised valuable funds for the Club, whose finances were transferred to the Nationwide Anglia that April where they earnt 7%. However by June the rate had fallen to 4.5%. Financial problems too with the Dinner held at Watersmeet Chess Suite as only 21 persons attended. Three Rivers did use Club pictures in a new Official Guide issued that year.
1986 saw a lot of debate on slide related issues not least that the projector was still prone to jamming. Complaints were made by the projectionist about “poorly prepared slides” often in cardboard mounts bound with sticky tape. The screen was also the subject of scrutiny as it was felt it had discoloured and was now creased. The Committee under Mr Triggs promised to keep an eye on this but there were insufficient funds at the moment for a replacement.
A Calendar was produced again by Three Rivers with pictures provided by the Club, who increased their order to 250. That summer the outing was to the Thames Barrier in East London, however it seemed like a disaster from beginning to end as the coach got lost which meant the Club missed a scheduled boat trip, on top of that the weather was described as “atrocious”. A far better time was had at the Annual Dinner which was held at the Fairway Inn in Rickmansworth.
For some time the Club had been aware of proposed large scale building works on the Church Hall. Indeed contingency arrangements were put in place to transfer the September meetings to the Methodist Hall in New Road and to arrange visits to other Clubs during the disruption. In the end the works were delayed and the evenings were conducted at St Oswalds as usual.
In fact the works were postponed again in 1987, but there was still some disruption to Club Nights as St Oswalds Church required the Hall that October for their 50th Anniversary Celebrations. In competitions the quantity and quality of print entries was falling but slide competitions were over subscribed to the point that entries were being limited.
A very successful Jumble Sale raised valuable funds for the Club, whose finances were transferred to the Nationwide Anglia that April where they earnt 7%. However by June the rate had fallen to 4.5%. Financial problems too with the Dinner held at Watersmeet Chess Suite as only 21 persons attended. Three Rivers did use Club pictures in a new Official Guide issued that year.
(© CCC) Programme
The next Club milestone came in 1988 when no less than two members were given Honoury Life Membership on 24 April. Dick Hassell was a “John Dickinson” founder member and Kath Howard. Dick started his photography interest at the tender age of 14 in 1920. Apart from his staunch support for the Club, Dick had over 200 slides accepted for international exhibitions. Both Club awards were richly deserved.
Costs were still rising and a meeting now cost £9 a night. The projector was also playing up again and it took months to track down a suitable replacement condenser lens from Leitz. A member even offered to call in at the factory during his German holiday. Things were looking up financially though and the Club was able to make a donation to the Watford Scanner appeal.
That year the Club also exhibited 100 colour prints taken at Ricky Week in Croxley Library. These were very popular and orders were taken for 85. Not so popular was the Annual Show which had to be cancelled in 1988 due to a lack of suitable presentations. The committee under Rex King took the view that no show was better than a poor quality show. The Chairman also had to deal with a proposal that the Club change its name to Three Rivers Camera Club – this was duly defeated.
Competitions had traditionally been marked five points for first place, three points for second place and two for a third with one for a commendation. This fairly selective system was replaced by highest scores out of twenty in 1989. In any event regardless of the system of marking adopted, the Rules were quite clear that they were “at the discretion of the Committee”. Another exhibition of Club work was made this time at a different location - the US University at Bushey.
Sufficient suitable work was found to hold an Annual Show in September with profits donated to the Church Hall rebuilding fund. Again there was much discussion about the content and timing of the Annual Show and it was agreed that from 1991 it would be held in April. The Cassiobury Operatic Society offered to come and sing at the Xmas function – unfortunately this had to be cancelled at the last moment.
Costs were still rising and a meeting now cost £9 a night. The projector was also playing up again and it took months to track down a suitable replacement condenser lens from Leitz. A member even offered to call in at the factory during his German holiday. Things were looking up financially though and the Club was able to make a donation to the Watford Scanner appeal.
That year the Club also exhibited 100 colour prints taken at Ricky Week in Croxley Library. These were very popular and orders were taken for 85. Not so popular was the Annual Show which had to be cancelled in 1988 due to a lack of suitable presentations. The committee under Rex King took the view that no show was better than a poor quality show. The Chairman also had to deal with a proposal that the Club change its name to Three Rivers Camera Club – this was duly defeated.
Competitions had traditionally been marked five points for first place, three points for second place and two for a third with one for a commendation. This fairly selective system was replaced by highest scores out of twenty in 1989. In any event regardless of the system of marking adopted, the Rules were quite clear that they were “at the discretion of the Committee”. Another exhibition of Club work was made this time at a different location - the US University at Bushey.
Sufficient suitable work was found to hold an Annual Show in September with profits donated to the Church Hall rebuilding fund. Again there was much discussion about the content and timing of the Annual Show and it was agreed that from 1991 it would be held in April. The Cassiobury Operatic Society offered to come and sing at the Xmas function – unfortunately this had to be cancelled at the last moment.
(© Marie Hassell) Club outing at a sloping location somewhere in the Chilterns
l-r Marie Hassell, Sinclair Watson, Nancy Warren, ?, Sheila Edwards, Alf Warren, ?, Glyn Edwards, Barbara Lynham, Pat Watson, Dick Hassell.
On the Club front, a few of the A Class members were unhappy at their exalted status and wished to be re-classified back to B Class. It is not clear why, but representation had to be made to the Committee of course. Members also requested that visiting judges be reminded of the time after the assessment of every ten slides, which was probably the result of a few late nights. The Club sold 220 calendars that year at a total profit of £12.50 (that is 5p each).
With thanks to;
Paul Bradley (Chairman, Croxley Camera Club, 1999 to 2009 & May 2007)
Mike Loose
Croxley Camera Club
Paul Bradley (Chairman, Croxley Camera Club, 1999 to 2009 & May 2007)
Mike Loose
Croxley Camera Club
