Category: Bereavements

It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Rosemary Crahart of Swansea and Llanelli Camera Club passed away on Sunday, April 30th.

Rosemary was the Convention Officer on the WPF Executive and, as a Welsh speaker, was a great liaison officer with Lampeter.

Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time.

Funeral arrangements:- Wednesday 10th of May at Llanelli Crematorium at 11am. No Flowers. No Black. Donations (which can be given to Tim and Stuart) will go to charities nominated by Rosemary.

Linda Baldwin passed away quietly at home on Tuesday with her husband Andrew by her side. Funeral details will be known after Easter. Our thoughts are with Andrew and the rest of her family.

Roy Thomas and Jan Cawley have written the following obituary.

Linda Baldwin Hon FWPF

Our very good friend and admired colleague, Linda Baldwin, who recently passed away was a long-time member of the Welsh Photographic Federation, a determined and effective committee member and a delightful person to work with. She served as our Treasurer for many years as well as being our Welsh International Chairman.

She joined the WPF from the Bridgend CC about 20 years ago. She very quickly became involved in the running of our events, attending almost all of them learning, and making observations regarding our management and presentation of these activities.

When Linda joined we were very much in the “Dark Ages” of slides and slide projectors, and all of the competitions we ran were very manual and required mountains of paperwork. The entrant had to properly spot and label their work and then we had to randomise them before presentation to the judges. On being scored they had then to be put into slide trays relative to the scores they achieved.  All the results were created manually and similarly, so were the catalogues.

Linda, who never suffered fools gladly, led us on a journey from slides to PDIs and almost singlehandedly chose the software to use and studied its use to the point where she became the go-to expert and created its use for both the WPF International and Welsh Salon of Photography.  With a dedicated on-line entry system, including PayPal subscriptions which eliminated hours of manual work she took the WPF into the 21^st Century. It is also true that following the WPF lead within a year or two the PAGB had also changed from slides to PDIs at their Warwick event.

She however remained determined to ensure that these events were properly run, completed on time to everyone’s satisfaction and she continually aimed for perfection, fixing all the errors that users of the system managed to impose on her, she put hours and hours into these events and would never ask for help, one had to ensure that you knew what she was up to and turn up at her house at the appropriate time to provide assistance, she was very independently minded and was happy to do everything herself.

She was a good personal friend to many of us, as was Andrew, her husband, who, during our Salons became an additional Exec member and was very generous with his help. She loved her quilting and never gave it up despite all the other tasks that she took on, and produced the most beautiful work of great precision as you can all imagine.

She was somebody who was fundamental to the modernisation of the WPF and was uniquely suited to this volunteer body, we are all pleased and honoured that we had the opportunity to know her and work with her over the years – she will be sadly missed.

The WPF Executive, past and present.

We have received the sad news that Maureen Albright has passed away. Our thoughts are with Robert and the family.

Maureen’s Funeral arrangements are as follows:

28 March 2017.10.30am Committal Service at Kingsdown Crematorium,  Kingsdown Lane, Swindon SN25 6SG.

All are welcome

3pm Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration at St Michael’s Church, Crooked Corner, Aldbourne, Wiltshire, SN8 2EL

Followed by refreshments in the Memorial Hall, Oxford Street, SN8 2DQ

Please note: There is very limited parking in Aldbourne Village centre. Signed car parking will be arranged at Manor Farm, Aldbourne, just after you enter the village on the B4192 approaching from the north (Swindon direction). The church is about 5 minutes walk from the car park. Disabled friends may be taken to the church (narrow road) and the car parked after drop-off.

Donations to the Prospect Hospice:  www.justgiving.com/pfltd

No flowers please.

 

Ft/Lt Noel Stewart Bantock (Pat) Reynolds APAGB LRPS BEM.

It was with great sadness that we received the very sad news that Pat Reynolds passed away on 21st December.

He had recently been moved to Gloucestershire and was only unwell for a week – he will be sadly missed by many in South Wales.

He was active throughout the late 20th Century from the late 1960’s until fairly recently when ill health stopped his activities.

Pat was an ardent photographer and first came to the WPF’s attention when he was with the RAF at their St. Athan base, he was a founder member of the RAF St. Athan Camera Club until the RAF closed its base when he then set up a new club in Rhoose. He was also a member of and Pyle and Porthcawl Camera Club, and most recently of The Vale PC. He was always a True Gentleman and treated everyone with respect and kindness. A real dapper dresser who always wore a tie, Blazer and slacks and carried himself as you would expect of a serving officer; his presence in a room full of people was always noticeable and yet he was quietly spoken and had a kind word for everyone he met.

He served as a Lecturer and Judge on our circuit for many years and his evenings were always enjoyable – his judging was always kind; but he would let you know of your issues and how you should fix them next time – one came out of one of his judging evenings happy and content regardless of the score he had given you.

He also served on the WPF Executive for many years and was elected President of the WPF on two occasions  1981-83 and 1993-95 he ran a calm and effective Executive on both occasions and he always thoroughly enjoyed our Lampeter Convention held in September each year at St. David’s College, he took great delight in encouraging the members to attend the Church Service on Sunday mornings showing his true Christian spirit which guided his life and actions.

He was awarded the APAGB in 1992 as a mark of the long service he had provided.

Rest in Peace Pat – you were always a delight to know and spend time with.

Roy Thomas (PAGB President).

Pat’s funeral will be held at Gloucester Crematorium, Coney Hill Road, Gloucester, GL4 4PA on Tuesday 10 January at 13:00.

Fellow photographers will be saddened to hear that John Gray FRPS has died in Cardiff at the age of 83. During 2015 he learnt that he had terminal cancer but faced the inevitable outcome with great bravery and he was keen to talk about photographic issues right to the very end.

Most of his working life was spent at Rolls Royce as a compressor designer, first in Cardiff and then at Filton near Bristol. He was a member at one time of Bristol PS before he became a long standing and highly respected member of Cam and Dursley CC. On retirement he returned to Cardiff where he became a member of the local club.

John’s talents were many ( in his early years he was a racing cyclist ) but he will be best remembered in the photographic world for his highly creative images which enjoyed huge success in the 1980’s and 90’s. and for which he has awarded the Fellowship of the RPS. He won award after award for his high impact creations which were technically perfect. He developed his own techniques of copying slides through textured plastic to create ‘impressions’ and of projecting slide images into puddles of water which led to their distortion and the creation of many unusual effects. He was rightly proud of an exhibition of his prints displayed at the RPS in Bath in 2012. In his retirement he enjoyed travelling and produced many fine images on these journeys.

John was an eloquent speaker and delivered many absorbing talks to local clubs where he was in great demand. He always explained in detail how he had achieved his images and listeners were left in awe of his technical expertise. John also turned his design skills to making many beautiful objects in wood where his patience and skill again shone through.

Above all, John will be remembered as a highly respected man of great charm and courtesy who had a wonderful creative mind which was particularly expressed in his photography. He will be sorely missed by his wife and family but also by his many photographic friends and acquaintances who were truly privileged to have known him.

John Chamberlin FRPS

Pyle & Porthcawl PS have informed us of the death of Trevor Owen.

He was Vice Chairman of the club, the current holder of their Photographer of the Year trophy and known to many in the camera club scene. Trevor was 71, a keen (and very good) wildlife photographer.

He became ill on the 28th December at a family wedding, was rushed into hospital for an emergency operation but sadly passed away on New Year’s Eve.

We have received this sad news from the Vale.

It is with great sadness that I must inform you of the death yesterday of our most senior member, Tony Leadbitter. Tony has been a keen and active supporter of the club for longer than I have recollection. His devotion to photography has been clear for all to see. He gave great encouragement to all members no matter what their ability and areas of interest. I was one of many who benefited from that when I first joined. His devotion endured despite failing faculties in recent years.

Mike Baker has asked me to pass on these words:- “In the thirty odd years that I have lived in the area, Tony has been a constant photographic friend through much of that time and I am grateful for his introduction to the group of like minded individuals in the Vale Photographic Club, through which I have made many new friends.

He also worked as photographer for the Gem during his retirement, happy to use his skills for the good of the community.

Tony shared our passion for photography as long as was humanly possible as members will be well aware. In his time, he was also a judge and I remember his comments on my early work within the Club giving pointers for improving my work which I appreciated and valued as a bit of a camera ‘Rookie’ at the time.

He will be missed by all who knew him. Tony, R.I.P. ”

Gerald Harbour (Chairman, The Vale Photographic Club).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His funeral will be held at Bridgend Crematorium on Friday Dec 4th at 1.45pm. Friends are invited to attend.

It is with great sadness that we have to report that Trevor Aldrich, a member of Gwynfa Camera Club, passed away as few days ago.

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Harry Vagg this week.

Harry was a well-known photographer in South Wales and an Ex-general Secretary of Western Valley Camera Club.

His funeral will take place on Thursday, 29 October 2015, with a service in St Paul’s Church, Newbridge, at 01:15 pm, followed by cremation at Gwent Crematorium, Croesyceiliog at 02:30pm.

Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, may be given to The Salvation Army and St David’s Foundation at the service.

Funeral Directors: Ellis Williams Funeral Directors, High Street, Newbridge, NP11 4FX.  Tel: 01495 243623

Jan Williams (WVCC Gen Sec/WPF Gen Sec)

We’ve received this very sad news regarding Arthur Brownscombe from David Norton at Rhondda Camera Club. Arthur was a forward thinking, fascinating and well respected member of both Rhondda and Gwynfa and will be missed by members of both clubs and by everyone else who knew him.

Sad news to report I’m afraid, one of our older members passed away last Wednesday.  Arthur Brownescombe, aged 87, had been a member of RCC for a number of years. I visited Arthur regularly as he had no immediate relatives nearby and had been totally housebound for several years. Arthur was a larger than life character who led a full life and would regale me with many a colourful story about his time in the furniture business & chemical companies. Arthur’s memory was fantastic and relived intricate details about how much things cost, when and where it was in fine detail. He was very talented and loved making intricate dolls’ houses and furniture to scale. His recent hobby which kept him occupied was scale models of steam engines (his Dad drove many famous locomotives in Britain).

In the summer Mark and I took Arthur for a day out to St. Fagans as I managed to coax him to venture out (see below), having not been out for many years. He enjoyed it so much we promised to take him out again, unfortunately time beat us…

Arthur’s photography was in my genre – whacky! He would put multiple images together and make collages, ahead of his time!

I’ll update you as to when the funeral is (to be confirmed, possibly week Friday at Pencoed Crematorium).

David Norton (Rhondda CC)

Update on the funeral arrangements for Arthur Brownescombe.  The procession will leave Arthur’s house (111 Bute Street, Treherbert) at 12.15 pm on Friday, 24th October. Service at Llwydcoed Crematorium, Aberdare, at 12.45 pm. Donations to Salvation Army preferred please c/o Sue, Arthur’s step-daughter.  Sue has asked if people would give advance notice of attendance at the wake which will be held at a pub close to the Crematorium, in order for her to gauge the amount of buffet provided (as you are probably aware Arthur had very few relatives so your presence would be welcomed).
 
If you could let me know by return email please (by the 19th Oct latest), so I can pass approx. numbers onto Sue. davidnorton1953@gmail.com

It is with great sadness that I add this item to the website. As a fellow Gwynfa member I knew Arthur well and had many interesting conversations with him. He was a fascinating character and a terrific photographer. We’ll never forget the presentation he gave to Gwynfa Camera Club. (Leigh W).