The Nottingham Outlaws Photographic Society was formed in October 1986, with the constitution and competition rules being drafted during a series of informal meetings held at the Anchor Inn at Gunthorpe.
We held our first meeting in January of 1987 at the Flying Horse on Front Street in Arnold.
The founder members of this fledgling society were David Cawthan (Our very first Treasurer, an inspirational character whose name is still carried in an annual memorial competition after his untimely death in 1995), Ken Monkhouse (Our very first Chairperson) and Steve Roper CPAGB (the instigator, first Society Secretary and now honorary lifetime President of the Nottingham Outlaws).
The ideals of the founders were to bring photography to a wider section of people, and to bring a more practical and friendly approach to the club scene. The decision was taken to have monthly competitions, in print and slide (now updated to “projected image”) mediums, with points gained being totalled in separate league tables, the winners of which would be accredited with the title of “Outlaw of the year”, and that these competitions should be a mix of general or open competitions, themed competitions and members choice competitions. We also took the decision to have a lecture and a practical evening each month where possible, along with social type evenings, such as critiques, quizzes, members mini lectures, teach in sessions, discussion evenings, bring & buy sales etc, where members could get to know each other and through exchange of information, improve their photographic standing.
That very first evening was a real surprise to us, we expected there to be no more than 6 enthusiastic people in attendance, but we actually had an attendance of 16 enthusiastic people, a start from which we have never looked back. Since those days our meeting venue has changed four times, firstly to the library in Arnold, then to the Sherwood Community Centre on Mansfield road in Nottingham, then to the cricket pavilion at the Richard Herod Centre, Foxhill Road Carlton and on to our current meeting room at the bowls centre, also at the Richard Herod Centre Foxhill Road Carlton.
Our programme is still as varied as it always was, and the aims of the club are still broadly in line with those set out in the beginning. Since those early days we can proudly boast to have taken on bigger clubs in many photographic battles (and beaten them) had many evenings where lecturers have stunned us with quality work, stunned many judges with the quality of our own work, taken part in many successful practical activities and improved our own photography to very high standards. We have laughed, cursed and almost wept at some of the judges comments & decisions, but continue to maintain the passion for the photographic hobby that binds us together.
Above all, everyone is welcome at the Outlaws, from the least to the most experienced photographers, from those who wish to press for photographic honours to those who merely wish to come along on a Thursday night as a social outlet, long may it continue.
Steve Roper CPAGB
Members Secretary & Lifetime Hon. President.
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