Newsletter - Spring 2009

Dear Members and Friends,

Spring has come and a pheasant has laid an egg on my doorstep. The fresh shades of green have burst forth and maybe now is your chance to get assignment pictures for ‘Nature close up’ in the bag.

We have an invitation for a photoshoot at the Peregrine Centre just north of Huntly on Friday 29th May between 6.00 and 9.00 pm. There is a limit of 20 places amongst the clubs. They are opening specifically for photographers and we would have access to the whole site and the top cabins. The site is south facing so the light should be fine. As well as the peregrines there are small birds, red squirrels, plants, fungi and pond life. They are hoping to make this a regular event once each month. Entry is free but donations would be appreciated. Their e-mail address is huntly.peregrines@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. Please contact them direct if you would like to go.

David’s photo walks (details and maps attached/enclosed). Please phone if you would like to come.

28th June Fyvie Castle at noon and 26th July Keith Station (for the Dufftown train) at noon.

Dave Valentine’s bus outing takes place on Sunday 30th August. Meet 9.00 at Alford car park Please phone Dave on 019755 63400 or e-mail davenvalentine@hotmail.com to make sure there is a seat available. There is a charge for the hire of the minibus and petrol, typically about £15.

For those not present at the AGM the assignment titles drawn were:-

Knots; Odd couple; Nature close-up; Wild life; Water; Now and then:

I’m going to take my own advice this year and write them down and put the list in my camera bag.

At the social evening Babs was the winner of the Malcolm Scott Quaich with the best picture depicting ‘Harvest Time’ set by David. Very appropriately her harvest was all grown by herself and laid out in an interesting way. Babs says she will contact everyone with next years title for the Quaich as she has not refined it yet. Also at the social evening there was again an impressive display of pictures nominated for ‘Image of the Year’. This was won by Bob with his beautiful projected image of the wren.

Hot off the press, we have just heard that David has gained 2nd place in the Banffshire Coast Competition.

At the AGM all committee members and Office bearers were re-elected. Our long standing treasurer, Moray, says that we still owe a lot of money on the digital projector, so he is still looking for donations. He, David and Bob are looking into lottery funding for club laptops (and accessories) as David and Robbie are still using their own.

The Years Competition results were:-

Projected Image - Donside Heating Silver Salver 1st Barbara and Bob tied with 130 points, 2nd David, Chris and Robbie each tied with 129 points (a very close contest!).

Colour Prints 1st Robbie with 162 points, 2nd Aileen with 158 points, 3rd Barbara and Colin tied with 157 points.

Mono Prints 1st Aileen with 170 points, 2nd Colin with 160 points, 3rd David with 156 points.

Assignments - Boghead Trophy 1st David with 94.4 points.

First time entrants - Balloch Trophy 1st Hannie with 83 points, 2nd John with 70 points

Highest scoring image in Deeside competition - Burnside Trophy David

Portrait Trophy Was won by Moray at Christmas.

In the Grampian Eye competition, Donside came 4th out of 8 clubs - a result to be proud of.

The start date for next season is 3rd September but we hope to see most of you taking pictures on the various outings during the next few weeks.

If you have ideas for next season’s programme let a committee member know soon.

Cheers all,

Barbara Pickford.