It quickly became apparent that there was a determination amongst most members to keep in contact during the lonely months of isolation.

The ‘camera camaraderie’ we all had enjoyed, and taken for granted for so long, was increasingly important to re-create and nurture for our own mental well-being during such strange, unprecedented times.

We met in a park in Shepton Mallet and decided to continue in the same vein for the foreseeable future with virtual meetings, so the programme has been adjusted slightly to accommodate this up until Christmas, when we shall review again.

This is a really great time to be involved with such an enthusiastic club, as we evolve our systems and practices and move forward with our photography.

The impact of the learning that has taken place during lockdown through Weekly Challenges and walks was very evident in the Open Competition entries that were judged on Thursday by Keith Spicer, a member of Weston Super Mare camera club, familiar to many as a regular judge at NRPS.

Keith was quick to appreciate the variety of techniques and strategies on view in the entries, and gave encouraging, yet precisely focused feedback on composition and expertise that members took on board readily.

In the Open Colour section, Jill took first and third place with Autumn at Ullswater and Ashness Pier, Derwentwater. Second place went to Graham Nicholls’ Coming out of the Dust with Janice Cuer and Bill Collett Highly Commended, and Diana Walker, Tony Nineham and Pamela Bruce-Lockhart Commended.

In the Mono section Diana, Jill and Graham were awarded Commended, with Graham achieving a Highly Commended together with Bill Collett. In equal third place with ‘I’m the King of the Castle’ and ‘Dandelion Clock’ were Jill Toman and Janice Cuer respectively. Again, Graham Nicholls took the honours in second place with his masterly portrait of Bath Poser, but Jane Richardson took a well deserved first place with her flat lay, still life compositioninspired by a recent challenge to depict food in a variety of ways.