Conwy Camera Club is celebrating its 80th anniversary with special exhibitions and events, and would like to hear from relatives of founder members.
The club is the oldest photographic society in North Wales and currently the largest, with 90 members.
It was founded during the Second World War after Alec Orr (pictured), owner of the Francis Garage in Colwyn Bay, placed an advertisement in the personal column of the North Wales Weekly News asking fellow amateur photographers to contact him with a view to forming a society.
After an initial get-together in December 1944, the North Wales Camera Club – which was renamed Conwy Camera Club in the 1970s – held its first full meeting in a Llandudno Junction hotel in January 1945. Wartime shortages meant that photographic materials were scarce, but members were able to show some of their prints.
Alec was the club’s secretary for the first 11 years, and received honorary life membership in 1956.
Other founder members included Walter Harris, who worked for the Weekly News, and Phyllis White of Llanrhos, who was possibly the club’s most advanced photographer in the early years. One of her prints was exhibited at the London Salon of Photography in 1947.
The club would like to make contact with relatives of founder members, particularly Alec Orr and Phyllis White, via the ‘Contact Us’ form on the club’s website.
The club is preparing an 80th anniversary display of prints at the Conwy Culture Centre. This will include new images and work by some of the club’s photographers of previous decades.
Events during the summer will include a family fun day at the Welsh Mountain Zoo for club members and guests, and a creative photography project for children.
On 6 September, the club will hold a one-day exhibition in Conwy, featuring new work and fascinating documentary photos of the area from the club’s archive. This will be the curtain-raiser for the new season of Tuesday evening meetings.
A special dinner and social evening in December will round off the 80th anniversary year.
Conwy Camera Club chair Henrique Fino said: “We are delighted that the club has reached its 80th year in such good shape, and that our membership has the dedication and enthusiasm needed for this ambitious programme of celebrations.
“We are looking forward to showcasing the work of current and past members during the summer. In the meantime, we are continuing to present photos and club news on the screen in the window of the GH Edwards newsagents in Conwy and on our website and social media.”