WPF Presidents Quarterly Update
Laurence ‘Laurie’ Saurin
We have this week received sad news from Rhondda Camera Club of the passing of one of their past president and well respected elder statesmen, Laurence Saurin (known to all as Laurie).
Laurie served Rhondda Camera Club for many years as president and was well known by many for his services as a proud Welsh Guardsman and protector of the Royal family. One of his many claims to fame was that he was the first guardsman to model for Queen Elizabeth 11 the guardsman’s fur hat, commonly known as the Busby, which is still worn with pride.
He was a true gentleman who will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
Laurie’s funeral will take place at Glyntaff Crematorium, Pontypridd at 1:00pm. on Monday 15th December, 2025 for those wishing to pay their respects.
WPF Club Registration Forms for 2026
Club registration and data forms have been sent to the Secretaries of all WPF clubs. If you have not received them, lease contact Dave Condon by emailing treasurer@thewpf.co.uk.
Here are copies of the documents:
AWPF Assessment Results 2025
Congratulations to all those who achieved their AWPF distinction as the recent Assessment day. You can see a list here.
The WPF Executive wish to extend a huge thank you David Lewis who has now stepped down as AWPF distinction Co-ordinator after many years service.
WPF Memorial Trophy
The WPF Memorial Trophies event takes place on 21st February.
Story of an Image
I Want to Break Free by Paul James AWPF, CPAGB, EPSA, I.APS/B
Photographic Society of America Gold Medal – Agile Photographic Society, Bangladesh.
WPF Merit Awards Workshop
The Welsh Photographic Federation Merit Awards workshop takes place on Sunday 30th November 2025 starting at 10.00am (planned finish time 4.00pm) in Talbot Green Community Hall. Everyone is welcome.
Teas and coffee will be provided but please bring your own lunch.
The awards have been put together at the clubs request and we need members from the clubs to attend.
Applications for MFIAP – Concession for 2025
FIAP have recognised that changes to the rules for the application of MFIAP were introduced at short notice and could adversely affect those who are already working towards application for MFIAP.
The new rules for 2026 require applicants for MFIAP to have achieved EFIAP/platinum to qualify for application for MFIAP whereas previously the applicant was only required to have achieved EFIAP.
Those who have already achieved EFIAP but not EFIAP/p are invited to apply for MFIAP as soon as possible. The closing date for receipt of such applications is 1st December 2025.
If you would like to apply for MFIAP please contact your FIAP Liaison Officer as soon as possible as there are processes to be completed before the application can be submitted to FIAP by the FIAP Liaison Officer.
The FIAP Liaison Officers are:
Brian Coleman AFIAP AWPF APAGB Hon.FWPF
We are very sad to report the passing of another past-President of the WPF,
Brian was the 33rd President of the Federation and served from 2011-2013. His obituary will follow.
Funeral arrangements: Brian was cremated in a private family ceremony.
Thanks to Paul James for this lovely image that illustrates Brian’s character so well.
Baglan Bay Anniversary Trophy & Virtual Exhibition
We’ve received this from Susan Surridge at Baglan Bay Photographic Society.
On Tuesday 30 September we held our Anniversary Trophy Competition, our PDI of the Year. There was a very full room with 18 BBPS members present all eagerly anticipating our judge’s remarks and scores. Dennis Russ was on form, describing each of the 64 images with comments referring to sharpness, colour and diffused backgrounds. He told us that he had enjoyed viewing them all and awarded scores of no less than 16. He held back 10 images, 6 of which were later awarded a score of 19. The final 4 all scored 20. However, The Anniversary Trophy winner was Kev Robertson with ‘In The Red Corner’. The Runner Up was David Condon with ‘Whitford Lighthouse’. Dennis presented Kev with the Anniversary Trophy Slate and a memento. Dennis also awarded Dave with a memento. Many congratulations to you both. Very well done to all those with held back images. Our huge thanks to Dennis for the difficult task of judging for us. It was a great evening, and we had cake too!
View all the images in our Virtual Exhibition here.
