Congratulations to Inn Focus once again. As they were automatically invited back due to their performance last year the WPF will be represented by three clubs (Inn Focus, Bridgend and Tenby) at this year’s National Print Championships to be held at Chatfield Theatre, 164 Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port, CH65 6EA ON 25TH October 2015.
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).
It is with deep regret that our President Ken Staines passed away Sunday night. He has been a member since 1958. His funeral is at Toveys, 9 Cardiff Road, Newport at 1:00pm. Wednesday 22nd October. Gwent Crematorium, Cwmbran at 2:00pm then wake at Cefn Mabley Arms.
“Aberdare Camera Club are very sad to announce that one of our long-standing members Tom Hill passed away on Sunday 14th Sept. Tom was a member of the club for many years, had served as Treasurer and was a real stalwart with his commitment and enthusiasm. He was a talented, keen photographer who approached his hobby with both wisdom and humour. He was also a true gentleman, always considerate of others. He is going to be greatly missed by us all.ÂÂ
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends at this sad time” ÂÂ
Many thanks, Lesley Newcombe (ACC Secretary).
Camera Club Members may wish to attend a memorial service in memory of Tom which will be held on Friday 26th September, 1.45pm at Miskin Christian Centre, Miskin,  Mountain Ash.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the British Heart Foundation and may be deposited with either of Tom’s sons, Mark or Jeoffrey.
Smethwick Photographic Society (265 points) were resounding winners of the final of the PAGB Inter-Club PDI Championships in Warwick on 12 July. They beat Wigan 10 (257 points) by a clear 8 points.
The WPF representatives were Tenby and Inn Focus. Inn Focus narrowly missed getting into the final round, finishing in joint 9th after two rounds. Both clubs progressed to the plate competition where Tenby were placed joint 24th and Inn Focus were joint 11th from 30 clubs.
Click the links to see the final results and the awards.
I would like to congratulate the winners of the Ace of Prints. The Winners were: 1st – Ebbw Vale 2nd – Tenby 3rd – Western Valley     Ebbw Vale and Tenby Will represent the WPF at the PAGB Inter-club Print Championships at Ormskirk in October. Western Valley were awarded the Plate as there was no separate Plate Competition.
Other awards: Best Mono – Standing Room Only – Peter Stickler – Swansea Best Colour – Tess – Jill Baxter – Tenby  Judges’ Choices: John Chamberlain – Alone In The Woods by John Cooke of Western Valley Roger Parry – Agoraphobia by Gary Howells of Ebbw Vale. Judith Parry – No You Can’t by Eric Williams of Newport.ÂÂ
Competing Clubs: Bridgend, Ebbw Vale, Gwent, Llanelli, Newport, Port Talbot, Swansea, Tenby, The Vale, Towy Valley and Western Valley.
I Would like to take this opportunity to thank the clubs that entered this year’s Ace of Prints competition, it would be nice to see a longer list of entries for next year. Maybe one of the federation clubs could host the event to bring it to your local area. If your club would like to host one the Memorial Trophy or the Ace of Clubs, please let me know.
Ed Cloutman has informed us that he has done away with the Judges and Presenters STATISTICS forms as they no longer serve much purpose. If Judges or Presenters have any problems or wish to change or add to their presentations, please email him directly at judgepresent@thewpf.co.uk
The Judges and Presenters Assessment Forms will, of course, remain as they are very valuable for feedback. Please remember to complete them as often as you can.ÂÂ
As the club season is coming to an end (for some clubs), he is going to send out individual feedback to each judge with a summary of general comments made about them throughout the last year. These are strictly confidential. The feedback will also give judges an idea of the way their ratings are progressing, and for those who have not yet got any stars, how many more returns are required for them to have a rating.
He is also going to try and ensure that all our judges on the Supplementary List get the boost they need to go on the Main List.