Our History

On the 8th September 1950 following a request from various members of the public a talk on photography was held in the British Legion Hut by Mr T Douglas, Mr H Wardle and Mr J R Fenwick. The latter gave a demonstration ‘Photography and Printing in a Pie Dish’ with an audience of 20 present.

This was to become the inaugural meeting of Cambois Camera Club. Shortly afterwards regular meetings were held in a rented hut belonging to the Cambois Rowing Club on the site of the Power Station dock.

A few months later negotiations began with the Co-Operative Society to purchase a plot of land near the British Legion Hut (now demolished). On 25th October 1951 the Co-Operative Society agreed to sell the land to the original trustees Mr T H Douglas, Mr J D Rump, Mr E R Thirlwell and Mr G Dalley on behalf of the club. A receipt exists dated 29th May 1952 for the purchase of the land from the Co-Operative for £33.10s 0d (£25.00 for the land plus legal costs). However, the conveyance document is dated 8th September 1952

On 30th January 1952 an application was made to Northumberland County Council Local Planning Authority for permission to develop the land and build the clubhouse. Permission was granted 12th April, 1952. Plans began for the building of the clubhouse.

The priority was to raise money by organising dances and jumble sales.. This was done mainly by the wives of the members, an enormous effort by Mrs Grace Douglas, her sister Mrs M Marshall, Mrs E Long and Mrs Thirlwell to name but a few.

The first printed syllabus was produced on 19 th September 1952. The officials and the committee comprised of the following:- President Dr D C Lowry BA MD CM. OBE C.St J. FRCGP and an Old Contemptible. A Canadian and General Practioner in Cambois. He died in Canada at the grand old age of 100 a number of years ago. The Vice-President was Mr J J Burrows. The Chairman, Mr T H Douglas, The Treasurer was Mr J D Rump and The Secretary was Mr G Dalley. Committee Members were Messrs. E R Thirlwell, J R Fenwick, R Wynn, W Fryer, I Dalby, G Clark and L Marshall. The entrance fees were £0. 2s 0d per year and the subscriptions were 1s 0d per fortnight.

On 29th April 1953 Cambois Pithead Baths gave the Camera Club a donation of £50.00 from the disposal fund of the Baths and Canteen to be spent on equipment.