This small but active club in North Yorkshire is a friendly, social group
When was the club founded?
Wensleydale Camera Club was founded at the inaugural meeting on 31 January 1957. In our 50th anniversary year, in 2007, we contacted many people from throughout Wensleydale and met regularly to look through over 14,000 slides and photos, whittling them down initially to several hundred and finally to about 133. These images were then scanned, printed, framed and exhibited in the local Methodist Hall in Leyburn. We contacted the BBC Look North Team, which duly came along and captured some VT for broadcast that brought in several thousand people from all over the country.
What does your club offer to new members?
We offer new members a friendly, social forum to facilitate their photographic journey, in whatever manner they may choose. Our club welcomes everyone both old and young, at whatever stage they are in their photography. Over the years we have provided a wide variety of activities aimed at both beginners and more advanced photographers, including lectures and competitions on a regular basis. In addition, we hold several critique sessions in every season to provide guidance and support to members in developing their own work. In 2023 we revived our annual exhibition which was held at the Wensleydale Community Arts Festival. As we raise our profile we have been invited to be ‘Official Photographers’ at several local events, including the Leyburn Jazz Festival, The Wensleydale Show, The Wensleydale Community Arts Festival and the Leyburn Christmas Festival.
Describe a typical club meeting
A typical meeting starts with us gathering for an informal chat (generally in the bar) before the main business of the evening. This will usually consist of presentations by members and external persons on relevant topics; practical sessions aimed at sharing and improving me
