Weekly Reports by Steve Wells
(Older reports in Archive)
2023-2024 Programme
Summer Programme
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/8/3/20837378/published/2024-06-24-mike-ashworth-in-the-cross-keys-photo-by-steve-wells.jpg?1719409869)
24th June 2024
Camera Club Visits Lydney Harbour
For the latest of Thornbury Camera Club’s Monday evening outings we crossed the river to visit the harbour at Lydney. Much of the area round the yacht club was closed off while new safety measures are being put in place. The water level in the harbour is maintained at the level of high tide with large locks to allow boats in and out. The locks were an immediate point of interest: Particularly the water leaking through the gates! Some members may have recalled that one of the set subjects for next year’s club competitions is “Wet”.
The accessible parts of the harbour were filled with moored yachts. It has to be said that some of them looked as if they had not moved in many years! Still, they provided photographic opportunities.
Having crossed the lock gates, the riverside walks were open and so, soon after arriving, the more than a dozen members who came were distributed across the paths that look down on the Severn.
As a relaxation after the riverside walks, Simon had arranged that the Cross Keys Inn in Lydney would be open. The pub normally closes at 6:00pm on a Monday but Matthew, the landlord, agreed to open up later in the evening specially for us.
Camera Club Visits Lydney Harbour
For the latest of Thornbury Camera Club’s Monday evening outings we crossed the river to visit the harbour at Lydney. Much of the area round the yacht club was closed off while new safety measures are being put in place. The water level in the harbour is maintained at the level of high tide with large locks to allow boats in and out. The locks were an immediate point of interest: Particularly the water leaking through the gates! Some members may have recalled that one of the set subjects for next year’s club competitions is “Wet”.
The accessible parts of the harbour were filled with moored yachts. It has to be said that some of them looked as if they had not moved in many years! Still, they provided photographic opportunities.
Having crossed the lock gates, the riverside walks were open and so, soon after arriving, the more than a dozen members who came were distributed across the paths that look down on the Severn.
As a relaxation after the riverside walks, Simon had arranged that the Cross Keys Inn in Lydney would be open. The pub normally closes at 6:00pm on a Monday but Matthew, the landlord, agreed to open up later in the evening specially for us.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/8/3/20837378/editor/2024-06-17-simon-at-the-plough.jpg?1718786510)
17th June 2024
Summer Meeting at Pilning
For the latest of Thornbury Camera Club’s summer outings, Simon, the Programme Secretary arranged a visit to the Western Approach Distribution Park. Now, this may not seem a particularly photogenic location. It is, after all, just a group of warehouses with parked lorries and trailers. While this may be true, the buildings are set in woodland through which pass foot paths and bridleways. Among the trees there are pools and ponds which attract wildlife. For the photographer there are industrial scenes, wasteland, new developments and the as yet unconnected M49 junction.
A group of about a dozen met to walk the area. Many focussed their attention on Wildlife: swans and ducks drawing particular attention. Had the sun been a little warmer, there would have been dragonflies and damselflies over the pools. Other members of the group found subjects in the abstract shapes of metalwork and industrial pipework on the outside of the warehouse buildings.
At the end of the evening, the group met in the Plough at Pilning. This pub would normally close early on a Monday but Simon arranged with the landlord to stay open a little longer for the club to arrive for the normal end of evening refreshment.
Summer Meeting at Pilning
For the latest of Thornbury Camera Club’s summer outings, Simon, the Programme Secretary arranged a visit to the Western Approach Distribution Park. Now, this may not seem a particularly photogenic location. It is, after all, just a group of warehouses with parked lorries and trailers. While this may be true, the buildings are set in woodland through which pass foot paths and bridleways. Among the trees there are pools and ponds which attract wildlife. For the photographer there are industrial scenes, wasteland, new developments and the as yet unconnected M49 junction.
A group of about a dozen met to walk the area. Many focussed their attention on Wildlife: swans and ducks drawing particular attention. Had the sun been a little warmer, there would have been dragonflies and damselflies over the pools. Other members of the group found subjects in the abstract shapes of metalwork and industrial pipework on the outside of the warehouse buildings.
At the end of the evening, the group met in the Plough at Pilning. This pub would normally close early on a Monday but Simon arranged with the landlord to stay open a little longer for the club to arrive for the normal end of evening refreshment.
![Picture](/uploads/2/0/8/3/20837378/published/2024-06-10-members-of-thornbury-camera-club-meet-back-in-the-anchor-photo-by-steve-wells_1.jpg)
10th June 2024
Summer Meeting at Oldbury
The formal meetings being over, Thornbury Camera Club met for a photographic evening at Oldbury. About a dozen members met in the car park opposite the Anchor Inn. From there they split into groups to explore the surrounding area. Some remained in the village photographing the old houses. Others headed for the river and the sailing club while two groups went further afield: one to the power station and the other to the hill where, at the top, St. Alrida’s church stands as a lookout over the river Severn.
The name of St. Alrida’s church gives an indication of the age of Oldbury. Alrida is said to have been a local saint and martyr with origins going back to Saxon and Norman times in the fourth or fifth century.
The power station is the more modern aspect of Oldbury. Now decommissioned, the reactor site contains a nature reserve with great photographic potential. For those remembering television of earlier days, the power station was used as a filming location for both Doctor Who and Blakes 7!
At the end of the evening, as the light began to fall, the group gathered back at the Anchor for a little refreshment.
Summer Meeting at Oldbury
The formal meetings being over, Thornbury Camera Club met for a photographic evening at Oldbury. About a dozen members met in the car park opposite the Anchor Inn. From there they split into groups to explore the surrounding area. Some remained in the village photographing the old houses. Others headed for the river and the sailing club while two groups went further afield: one to the power station and the other to the hill where, at the top, St. Alrida’s church stands as a lookout over the river Severn.
The name of St. Alrida’s church gives an indication of the age of Oldbury. Alrida is said to have been a local saint and martyr with origins going back to Saxon and Norman times in the fourth or fifth century.
The power station is the more modern aspect of Oldbury. Now decommissioned, the reactor site contains a nature reserve with great photographic potential. For those remembering television of earlier days, the power station was used as a filming location for both Doctor Who and Blakes 7!
At the end of the evening, as the light began to fall, the group gathered back at the Anchor for a little refreshment.
3rd June 2024
The final internal competition was judged by Simon Caplin (LRPS). This was an open competition.
In the Print Class, first place went to “Pelicans Competing for a Fish” by George Collett. Dean Packer took second with “Tron”. In third place was “Back to Back” by Robert England. Other images mentioned were by Mike Ashfield, George Collett and Cheryl Miller (ARPS).
In the Projected Image Class “Springer has Sprung” by Barry Wilson took first place. Second was “Blue Boat” by Christine Crabb. Garry Holden came third with “Bringing the Catch Home, Atlantic Puffin, Skomer Island”. Other images mentioned were by George Collett, Rodney Crabb, Robert England, Anne Foster, Vincent Mann, and Nigel Newman.
Overall, after six competitions, George Collett took first place in both Print and Projected Classes. In the Print Class, Dean Packer came second with Peter Haworth third. In the Projected Class, Garry Holden came second with Barry Wilson third.
The formal meetings are now complete for the 2023/4 season. Informal meetings will continue on Monday evenings throughout the summer.
The final internal competition was judged by Simon Caplin (LRPS). This was an open competition.
In the Print Class, first place went to “Pelicans Competing for a Fish” by George Collett. Dean Packer took second with “Tron”. In third place was “Back to Back” by Robert England. Other images mentioned were by Mike Ashfield, George Collett and Cheryl Miller (ARPS).
In the Projected Image Class “Springer has Sprung” by Barry Wilson took first place. Second was “Blue Boat” by Christine Crabb. Garry Holden came third with “Bringing the Catch Home, Atlantic Puffin, Skomer Island”. Other images mentioned were by George Collett, Rodney Crabb, Robert England, Anne Foster, Vincent Mann, and Nigel Newman.
Overall, after six competitions, George Collett took first place in both Print and Projected Classes. In the Print Class, Dean Packer came second with Peter Haworth third. In the Projected Class, Garry Holden came second with Barry Wilson third.
The formal meetings are now complete for the 2023/4 season. Informal meetings will continue on Monday evenings throughout the summer.