Social
We have a variety of social events where we meet as friends. These provide a less formal opportunity to meet, practice our photography and learn from each other. Sometimes there is coffee and/or a meal involved.
Walks and away trips are organised by Peter, and other ad-hoc trips come up too......
Walks and away trips are organised by Peter, and other ad-hoc trips come up too......
SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY 2025 - STEAM RAILWAY MUSEUM SWINDON
A visit to one of the largest railway museums in the UK which is on the site of the old Swindon Railway Works. We will meet at the entrance to the museum (inside the front door) at 10.30am. Photography without flash or tripods is allowed.There is a basic cafe on site but if you want to eat more lunchtime there are many other options nearby and also in the McArthur Glen Shopping Centre next door.Number plate recognition cameras are in place in the car parks so park as close to the museum and when you pay at the museum you will receive a voucher which should give you up to five hours free car parking. If you want to stay longer on the day I will explain how to at minimal cost.I would suggest wide angle lenses to get everything in. See STEAM - Museum of the Great Western RailwayPeter
SATURDAY 1ST FEBRUARY 2025 - NEWARK PARK
A chance to photograph snowdrops and this is one of the best places for them.This National Trust property has lots. There are some steep paths here and the house should also be open. We will meet at the mobile cafe at 11.00am and spend up to four hours there. I have found a nearby pub which does food all day and that is The Hunters Hall Inn at Kingscote so aim to have something more substantial food wise at about 3.30pm. Macro lenses and wide angles should work well.Photography without flash is allowed in the house.SATURDAY 15TH FEBRUARY 2025 - WELLS CATHEDRAL
Wells Cathedral is generally considered to be one of the finest cathedrals in the UK and is very photogenic inside and out.We will meet at The Bishop's Eye Cafe at 11.00am for a coffee. This is in the market square near Penniless Porch. Saturday is market day so it will be busy. I suggest parking in the nearby Waitrose multi-storey. If you would like a pub lunch please let me know.The nearby Crown is a potential choice but I would recommend booking.Bring a variety of lenses for the cathedral. There is an admission charge of £14 for the cathedral which does last for twelve months.SATURDAY 15TH MARCH 2025 - NORTHLEACH
This is a small town in the North Cotswolds which is very attractive and there is a lot to see and photograph.There is a small car park in the centre of the town in the square but you are not likely to find a space so I suggest that when you come off the A429 you park safely on a side street. If we meet outside Lynwood & Co cafe in the town centre at 11.00am and then visit the church which is one of the finest parish churches in the UK and after lunch ( I suggest The Sherborne Arms) explore more of the town including The Old Prison which has a lot of countryside items to look at.SATURDAY 29TH MARCH 2025 - PONTYPRIDD
Pontypridd is a largish town in the Rhondda Valley and you might be wondering what on earth there is to photograph there.The answer is lots.It has a vibrant high street with one of the largest indoor markets that I have seen (no photography), a very attractive and interesting park plus if you want to visit, a FREE museum.Plus a very interesting town bridge.This place should suit the Urban Landscape project theme well.Lots of choices for lunch and at reasonable prices.We will meet outside Lloyds Bank, Market Street at 11.00am. I suggest car parking at- Our car park address: Goods Yard, Chapel Street, Pontypridd. The post code for your sat nav is CF37 2DS. This is reasonably priced and put in for all day.SATURDAY 12TH APRIL 2025 - COTSWOLD FARM PARK GUITING POWER GLOUCESTERSHIRE
This is one of the largest farm attractions in England and is run by Adam Henson of Countryfile fame.It is a great place for animal photography. I suggest bringing a longer lens as well as a standard lens to get the pictures.Maybe meet at the cafe at 11.00am and also book your tickets on-line in advance.Cotswold Farm Park There are large catering facilities there.If you want to have a pub meal in the evening after, please let me know. There are some good nearby pub options.Peter
THURSDAY 24TH APRIL 2025 - COATES ENGLISH WILLOW, STOKE ST GREGORY, SOMERSET
A visit to somewhere different and the reason I am choosing a weekday is that the guided tour is only available on weekdays and I would highly recommend this. This starts at 11.00am so if you want a drink before in the excellent cafe I would suggest getting there early.If more then six of us are definitely going I can book a guided tour at a different time but if you commit to come you will have to turn up as we need at least six people for this. See Coates English Willow Baskets - Visitor Centre & Basket Makers There are nature trails to follow which can be muddy, a very good museum and this is all very reasonably priced.Peter
SATURDAY 17TH MAY 2025-MISERDEN GARDENS & VILLAGE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
A visit to this very attractive Cotswold garden north of Stroud. The huge mansion is not open to the public but there is a lot to see in the gardens. We meet at Little Ginger Cafe just outside the gardens where there is car parking at 10.30am. The village is very good with a lot to see and late afternoon I can book a table at The Carpenters Arms. Free garden admission for Historic Houses Association members.The Garden at Miserden
SATURDAY 24TH MAY 2025-CHIPPENHAM FOLK FESTIVAL
This is one of the largest folk festivals in the south of England and general admission is FREE as it is held in the streets of central Chippenham. If you want to see some of the indoor performances you have to pre-book and pay.You won't need to bring along too long a lens as you will be able to get quite close to the action. I will arrange meeting times nearer to the date.Chippenham Folk Festival
TUESDAY 27TH MAY 2025-CENTRAL BRISTOL INCLUDING ST STEPHEN'S CHURCH & THE GEORGIAN HOUSE
The reason for this weekday visit is that St Stephen's Church at the bottom end of Clare Street is only open Mondays to Thursdays. I hope that The Georgian House at 7 Great George Street will still be open as funding cuts come in. We will meet at The Hatter House Cafe, 9 Clare Street at 10.30am and then visit the church which has many things to photograph. We will find somewhere for lunch and then visit The Georgian House Museum owned by Bristol City Council. This is at 7 Great George Street, just off Park Street.I will need numbers of those coming along on this trip as The Georgian House is not too large. Free Admission.SATURDAY 7TH JUNE 2025-LOWER MOOR FARM NATURE RESERVE, OAKSEY WILTSHIRE
This is one of the largest nature reserves owned by The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. There is no admission charge or any parking charge. You should be able to photograph dragonflies, damselflies and maybe otters.Generally good underfoot. Bring longer lenses and macro lenses.A great place for practical nature photography.We meet at the cafe at 10.30am. Maybe a pub visit after.I will need to check as the nearest pub has closed down,Lower Moor
SATURDAY 14TH JUNE 2025-DIG FOR VICTORY SHOW, NORTH SOMERSET SHOWGROUND, WRAXALL
A vintage event with countless photographic opportunities, Bring longer lenses to photograph the action and maybe wide angle lenses to photograph the vehicles. Meet at the entrance at 10.00am as the traffic will be bad if you leave it later.Lots of food options.https://www.digforvictoryshow.com
THURSDAY 19TH JUNE 2025-KIFTSGATE COURT
This superb garden is quite far north in Gloucestershire situated opposite The National Trust's Hidcote Manor Hardens. Now should be the best time to go as the famous roses should be coming out.This opens late at 12.00pm so we will meet in the cafe at 12.15pm. They also belong to The Historic Houses Association.If you would like to have an evening pub meal, I can recommend the nearby Ebrington Arms at Ebrington for a meal at 6.00pm. Bring a variety of lenses.https://www.kiftsgate.co.uk
SATURDAY 21ST JUNE 2025- ICM STREET PHOTOGRAPHY IN GLASTONBURY ORGANISED BY LISA RENDALL
This needs pre-booking and more details will be available soon. Lisa would have given a talk to us the previous Wednesday and this workshop is a chance to do something totally different.THURSDAY 10TH JULY TO MONDAY 14TH JULY 2025-OXFORD
If you would like to come along to Oxford staying up to four nights you are welcome to join us.Four of us have already booked in at The Premier Inn, Cowley, Oxford. There is a huge amount of places to explore on Oxford including the colleges.Please let Peter know if you want to come along.SATURDAY 19TH JULY 2025-SOMERSET STEAM & COUNTRY SHOW, LOW HAM NEAR LANGPORT
This is one of the largest steam fairs in Somerset and there will be a lot more to photograph apart from the steam engines. Plenty of food options there and bring a variety of lenses. It is best for us to contact each other when you arrive if there is a delay in getting in.Somerset Steam & Country Show
SATURDAY 26TH JULY 2025-CHEDDAR GORGE AND CAVES
It costs £24 for a day ticket to see all of the attractions here but you will get good use of your money if you visit most of the attractions including the caves. We will meet at Cafe Gorge at The Cliffs at 10.00am and then explore. Higher ISO's needed inside the caves.If you want a pub in the evening I can book one if I know who is going.https://www.cheddargorge.co.uk/
FRIDAY 1ST AUGUST 2025-TAUNTON FLOWER SHOW
A chance to visit the second oldest flower show in the world and of the largest in the UK. It is also held on Saturday but Friday, although busy should be quieter. I suggest buying tickets online and using the Park & Ride just off the M5. Get here early as it will be busy. Loads to see and photograph. We can arrange to meet up once there.Taunton Flower Show
SATURDAY 9TH AUGUST 2025- MASTERS OF PRINT EXHIBITION & BEDWELTY HOUSE & TREDEGAR
A chance to see this prestigious exhibition held at an historic house plus a chance to have a walk around this Valleys town. Meeting times to be arranged and I can book a pub for later on.SATURDAY 16TH AUGUST 2025- EAST SOMERSET RAILWAY
A chance to visit this small railway near Shepton Mallet. Lots to see and an option for a pub meal at The Strode Arms. East Cranmore after. Bring a variety of lenses for trains and candids. Meet at the cafe there at 10.30am.SATURDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER 2025-BRISTOL ZOO PROJECT
A local visit to this expanding Zoo. We meet at The Courtyard Cafe at 10.15pm. Bring longer lenses to capture the animals.Bristol Zoo Project
SATURDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER-FROME CHEESE AND AGRICULTURAL SHOW
This is a local and very large country show with many different things to photograph. Not just the farm animals but a fun fair and live music. Longer lenses and a medium wide angle lens should suffice. We will arrange a meeting time on the day.Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show – Celebrating Great Food, Farming and Cheese!
SATURDAY 27TH SEPTEMBER 2025-CALDICOT CASTLE
Just over the Severn Bridge, not too far to go to this interesting castle ruin and its country park. We meet outside the entrance at 11.00am. Free car parking nearby.I can book the nearby Castle Inn for those who want to go to the pub.Caldicot Castle and Country Park - Castle in Caldicot, Caldicot - Visit Monmouthshire