NRPS members had worked hard, and often very creatively, to come up with images for the November competition entitled “Typically British”, but Keith Spicer confessed he found it very difficult to judge, and many were disappointed on the night when their images apparently did not match the brief.

Nevertheless, some had more success and the following can be viewed on the website under the November 2022 Gallery:

Colour first place went to Jill Toman with Grenadier Guards, second place went to Graham Nicholls with Croquet on the Lawns, third was Tony Nineham with Chelsea Pensioner, HC Janice Cuer Town Crier, Jill Toman Morris Dancing at the Pub, C Diana Walker: Telephone Box, Janice Cuer: Punch and Judy,Tony Nineham: Spring Bluebell.

The Mono competition went to: First place was Janice Cuer with British Museum (pictured), second place was Jill Toman Bowler Hats and Rolled Umbrellas, third went to Tony Nineham with Remembering the Few, HC Queue Louise Bailey, Janice Cuer The Beatles Adoration, C Jill Toman Enjoying Fish and Chips, Jenny Short The British answer to Everything.

The next competition entries, due in early January, are for 2022 Picture of the Year and will be judged as prints under the traditional four categories: Land/sea/cityscapes, Portrait, Sports/Action and Other.

To raise the spirits a little, I have agreed with our Hon. President, Margot, that the focus this year for the Witcombe Trophy will be “Images of Christmas”, so that we get out and have some fun over the festive season, and make the most of the Chair’s evening on December 15th, when we will have an evening in Bath surrounded by all the trappings of the season.

There is unlikely to be any lack of agreement on what constitutes a Christmas image, I would think! Entries will be digital and due in on the same evening as the POY entries.

The awards for both competitions will be made at our Annual Dinner on March 23rd, and members will be delighted to know, that when I spoke with Margot, she told me how much she was looking forward to judging the Witcombe Competition, and was very much hoping that, with a bit of assistance she would be joining us in person for the awards dinner.

NRPS members will be photographing the turning on of the Christmas lights in Westfield next week at the request of the Council.

So...onwards and upwards as they say, with a truly British stiff upper lip!

Jenny Short