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Newbury Challenge Plate Nine Clubs Competition 2007Click any thumbnail images to view a larger version, then use the "back" button to return to this report
On Thursday 18th January the Newbury Camera Club premises were full to capacity as members from eight other clubs gathered to compete once again in the highly successful annual Newbury Challenge Plate Competition. The Challenge Plate event, now known as “The Newbury Nine Club Challenge Plate”, was sponsored back in 2002 by Mike Harding of “M.H. Electrics” of Newbury. Mike, who is now Chairman of the Club, felt that such a competition would help members from different clubs to socialise together at the Newbury Club premises, and enable them all to see examples of excellent work that otherwise they may not have seen. The Challenge is for each of nine clubs to provide six entries, alternating annually between Prints and Slides with the same clubs participating each year. Should any club withdraw another would be invited to replace it. The Challenge Plate would go to the club scoring the highest aggregate points from their six entries. That and a further plate for the best individual entry would be for them to keep. In the five previous years the Club winners have been Newbury in 2002; Bournemouth in 2003; and Ordnance Survey three times in 2004, 2005 and 2006. This year the challenge was for Prints, and the competing clubs were: Newbury; Wimbourne; Hungerford; Alton; Fordingbridge; Highcliffe & Infinity; Beaulieu; Bournemouth; and Ordnance Survey. To match the occasion one of the most respected and well liked Judges in the Southern area, Brian Powell A.R.P.S., A.P.A.G.B., had been invited to assess the entries. After an initial overall look at the prints, Brian said that as the standard was so high we should expect the marks awarded to reflect it, and that as a consequence there might well be several entries being awarded the maximum marks. Indeed, that proved to be the case as we realised that we were seeing a collection of Photographic work of the very highest standard. As always, Brian gave his knowledgeable commentary on each print, drawing attention to some of the finer aspects that impressed him, and eulogising over a few of them.
After half of the entries had been assessed, we were spoiled with a lovely spread of food and cakes provided by Mike Harding and Erika Cherowbrier, giving our visitors and members time to socialise. Then it was back to the assessment of the remainder. At the end no less than nine prints had been awarded the coveted 10 marks; “Sandwick Tern and Sand eel” by David White, & "Seals" by Simon Wardle (Newbury); “Dorset Sunset” by Ron Holmes, (Wimbourne); “Glenveigh National Park” by N. Phillips & “Cranes in Flight” by D. Bradshaw O.B.E., (Bournemouth); “Worship” (name not available), Ordnance Survey); “Cheetah” and “Eagle in Flight” by Louis Rumis ARPS., APAGB., DPAGB., & “Beeches” by Norrie Phillips DPAGB., (Highcliffe & Infinity). Brian spent a long time examining each of them for the finer points of Artistry and Photographic technique which would mark one out as the overall winner. The Winning Club was Highcliffe & Infinity, and as a bonus the individual winner for his print “Bald Eagle in Flight”, was an entry from Louis Rumis ARPS., APAGB., DPAGB., from the same club. After Brian had presented the plates to the winners, the President of the Southern Photographic Association, Ian Biggs L.R.P.S., C.P.A.G.B., gave a well deserved vote of thanks to Brian; to the host club, and especially to Mike and Erika; and to all those who had come from near and far to help make this event another outstanding success. Mike Harding then suggested that next years’ entries might well be Digital images. This appeared to be well received.
The above Report & Images provided by Gaston Alziary ARPS -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A letter to Mike Harding from David Toft of Ordnance Survey Club, a participant in the Newbury Challenge Plate Nine Clubs Competition:
Dear Mike Just a note to thank you and Newbury Camera Club for another very enjoyable evening. Ordnance Survey Club were delighted to be asked to take part in the Newbury Challenge Plate six years ago and the evening has now become a highlight of the year. To start it up must have required a lot of heart searching and organisation – nothing gets off the ground without them – but it has been very impressive how smoothly the evening has run from day one. The impression is that Newbury CC do not do FUSS and PANIC, and have as much time to chat and socialise as us, the lucky visitors. The half time buffet is always a treat and just adds to the relaxed feel of the evening. It provides an excellent opportunity to meet again like minded people. It seems to me that the standard of images judged has improved every year and the judges have obviously been carefully chosen to add that element of entertainment as well as giving a professional evaluation of each photograph. While clubs try to do well there is a general appreciation for all the images and a hope that everyone ends up pleased with their panels. Quite simply the Newbury Challenge Plate is an evening to savour and represents all that our hobby should be. Thank you, David Toft |
