Having joined Nottingham Outlaws in June 2023, i was just finding my feet when members went off for last years’ Kitkat to North East England; so was quick to jump on board with this years jaunt to the Loch Lomond area of Scotland.
On the way, we visited a church of architectural interest in East Kilbride, but were unfortunately unable to gain access to the interior (we returned on the way home)
Before arriving in Dumbarton, we also visited The Burrell Collection at a gallery in a country park. A string quartet were playing in the gallery. Then it was off to Dumbarton to get settled in the hotel.
Next morning saw us visiting Glasgow University, where we photographed the impressive Cloisters and the home of Charles Rennie Macintosh (inside a campus building); before a street photography session around Glasgow city centre, including a visit to Barras Market where I came across stallholder Jimmy, who was a real character and had posters on his stall incorporating his photo. He showed me a Peaky Blinders wanted poster with him on it.
Other places visited included the transport museum; The Armadillo and Ovo buildings; ‘Squinty’ Bridge (waited for two hours for it to be illuminated, and it never happened); Cloch Lighthouse; Wemyss Station; RSPB Loch Lomond; Finnich Glen and The Devils Pulpit.
On 29th July we held our sixth open PDI competition via Zoom and we welcomed Roger Evans as our judge for the evening.
There were 43 entries overall, covering a range of subjects.
Scores of 17 were scored by Patrick Wallis, Nigel Stewart, Malcolm Nabarro, Lester Woodward, Sally Herbert, Lois Webb and Sue Jackson. Lester Woodward scored 18 for Bad Times in Fairyland and Olympic rings, as did Jack Worsnop for Devil’s Club, and Malcolm Nabarro for Passing Generations. Jack Worsnop scored 19 for Kinderdijk Windmills at Dusk and Lois Webb scored 19 for Old Normal Daily Grind. Chris Houldsworth scored 19 for Flypast and was also the winner for the evening with 20 points for Waiting for the Train.
A great collection of entries and many thanks to everyone who entered. Our thanks go to Roger for for providing everyone with an entertaining range of very constructive comments.
NOPS members enjoyed an evening exploring Loughborough. We have an annual photography treasure hunt on foot around a location. Members go in search of images that match a theme. This year the themes were; > Birds > Converging Parallels > Decorative doors > Flowers > Food > Lights > Looking Up > Old & New > Reflection > Statue or Sculpture
This pit is located to the North-West of Mansfield. On a very rainy evening NOPS members visited this site that closed as an active coal mine in 1986. It was due to be demolished but great campaigning from local historians and ex-miners led to a last-minute reprieve. Members were given an excellent guided tour inside the engine house and saw the two winding mechanisms. Although the weather wasn’t great, several shots were possible of the two concrete encased headstocks. The engine house contains a great deal of mementos of mining and amusing health and safety posters. Next to the pit is a nature reserve and members are already hoping for a return visit.
