Top photographs from a club passionate about photography
Bolsover Camera Club was conceived in the early 1950s when several amateur photographers kept bumping into one another in Stan Greenwood’s pharmacy where their prints were always processed. They eventually decided to meet on a regular basis to share their passion for photography. One of those founding members, John Middleton, is still at the club as Honorary Life President.
Ever since its formation, Bolsover CC has taken a full part in the cultural and social life of the town, photographing local events like the annual fireworks at the Castle, and contributing to annual exhibitions such as the church’s Flower Festival. The club also produced a millennium show, ‘Bolsover 2000’, depicting the history of Bolsover since 1066, and a year in the life of the town. Several hundred video copies were sold and made their way to many ex-pats all over the world.
For a long time, the club’s reputation was based in black and white photography, inspired largely by the late Philip Elliott who was known nationally and internationally for his creative monochrome work but remained a ‘club man’ throughout.He is remembered today through an annual award made for services to the club and an annual ‘photographic celebrity’ lecture organised by a trust set up in his name by his wife Ruth, an honorary member, and daughter Jayne, an active member.
Other past members are remembered by awards. The Brian Fawcett Award is for landscapes – Brian was another internationally recognised photographer – and the John Mountain Competition is for colour slide work – founder member John set up this award to encourage slide work in the club’s early days.
Today the club enjoys a reputation that belies its small size. In recent years several photographers have won awards in the annual N&EMPF (North & East Midlands Photographic Federation) exhibition, notably Robert Falconer whose landscape images have regularly appeared in Derbyshire Life and who has just published a book The Peak District – A Winter’s Tale. Robert also has a passion for steam train photography. Overall, Bolsover CC produces work covering a wide spectrum of photographic subject matter, with many members showing a high level of expertise.
The club meets every Friday from September until May at Hillstown Community Centre and welcomes interested photographers from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. Forthcoming meetings, held at St John’s Church Centre, Walton, include a lecture from Martin Lichfield (5th March) on the coastal reserve at Spurn Point, and a Philip Elliott Lecture (26th March) from nationally acclaimed photographer Leigh Preston.
For more details view www.bolsovercameraclub.org.uk
