Next Wednesday there is a change to the published programme, instead of presenting a talk on Costa Rica; Pam Lane ARPS DPAGB and Eddy Lane ARPS DPAGB will be taking us on a trip to the frozen wastes of the Arctic. They embarked on a major 17 day autumn expedition on the MV Stockholm - an  historic Swedish Icebreaker - for a near circumnavigation of the island of Svalbard. It features vast tracts of frozen wastes and icebergs, and many close encounters with Polar Bears and Walrus, including a memorable stopover at the ecosystem that had developed around a Fin Whale Carcass. It concludes with a series of short but unusual video clips that add a different dimension to the presentation.

 

Below are a couple of images to give you some idea of what we might expect. - as I sit here looking out of my window, over the snow covered wastes of Bristol, these photographs seem somewhat apt!

 

 

Recently, John Chamberlin started investigating a former Methodist Hall at Bishopsworth which is currently up for sale by sealed bid. Several Council members viewed the property.

 

The following is a list of key pros & cons for this property:

 

+ The likely purchase price is well within the reach of BPS funds.

 

+ Parking would certainly be easier than 12 West Mall.

• The property is roughly 4 times larger than the current clubrooms. This is both an advantage and a disadvantage:

+ Plenty of space for meetings and for facilities such as a studio

 

+ Large kitchens

 

- With most Wednesday BPS meetings attracting 40-60 members, 12 West Mall always looks full and is therefore attractive to speakers. Conversely the Methodist Hall would always look empty during regular meetings even with 120+ people.

 

- Due to the size and layout, the ongoing maintenance and heating costs of the Methodist Hall would be considerably higher than 12 West Mall.

 

- The Methodist Hall premises require a considerable amount of remedial work to make it suitable for our needs.

 

+ Even added to the expected purchase price this amount was still within the club's available resources.

 

- This rework is a major rebuilding effort, over many months and would require considerable project management skills and resources from Council members. Supporting this effort was considered to be a major inhibitor as most Council members are already committing as much time to the Society as they are able to.

 

The poll of current BPS members, asking who would be willing to move to the new location and who would not was responded to by two thirds of the membership. Of those responding 2/3^rd would be happy to move, 1/3^rd would not. It is a consideration that a number of members combine a meal at a local eatery beforehand as well as those who like to visit the pub afterwards. We can’t ignore the social aspects of belonging to BPS!

 

12 West Mall is a basement flat, in an occupied building, in a residential area whereas this Methodist Hall is a detached building, on a busy road. General security and the responsibility for responding to any alarms would be far more of an issue at the Methodist Hall. 

 

After careful consideration of the above the Council decided not to proceed with bidding for this particular building.

 

Barry Mead

Chairman

Don't forget that Wednesday 30 Jan is the closing date for Print Competition Round 3. The judge for this round is Monica Weller FRPS from Bookham in Surrey. Any queries, please contact David or Patsy, either on a Wednesday evening or by email david@vizion2000.net

 

Well done to Val Duncan who can now add BPE 2* to her growing list of photographic distinctions. For those of you who don't know about BPE, here is a short extract from their website:

 

If you want to blow your own trumpet or, dare I say such a thing, blow someone else's trumpet for them, then this is the place to do it. Please let me know and I'll include it in the next issue.

 

 

If you have any problems getting into the Members' Area, please contact Carol, either by email: secretary@bristolphoto.org.uk or by telephone: 0117 9241338.