Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of The

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Royal Photographic Society - Historical Group Insight and Kraszna-Krausz Room, National Media Museum, Bradford 10.30 am Saturday 28th March 2015

Those Present: Geoff Blackwell ARPS, Hazel Blackwell, Dr. Carolyn Bloore, Eric Butler, Dr. David Bruce FRPS, Dr. Ron Callender FRPS, Brian Causier, Ms. Irene Cooper, Rob Crow, Roger Farnham, Richard Fattorini, Jenny Ford ARPS, Janine Freeston, Robert Gates ARPS, Colin Harding, Avril Harris ARPS, Roy Hawthorne ARPS, David H. Kingston LRPS, Dr. Janet Lowe CBE, FRSE, Sarah Niemann, Christopher Penn, Dr. Michael Pritchard FRPS, Jim Ranahan, Gilly Read FRPS, Patricia Ruddle ARPS, Dr. Donald Stewart FRPS, Emeritus Professor Roger Taylor, Monica Thorp, Nigel Thorp, Graham Whitwham ARPS and David ? Non RPS Members: Chris Craven, Lisa Dracup, Harry Magee, Drs. Lee and Kate Horsley, Samuel Horsley and Miss Violet Kendall-Brewer.

1) Apologies received from: Brian Iddon, LRPS

2) Minutes of 2014 AGM The minutes of the 2014 AGM were accepted as a true record. Proposed by Robert Crow and seconded by Avril Harris. Matters arising There were no matters arising from minutes of 2014 AGM.

3) Chairman’s Report 2014/2015 - Dr. Donald Stewart, FRPS Once again the Group has completed a highly successful year: publishing three issues of The PhotoHistorian during the calendar year; providing an excellent and varied programme for members; and growing the number of Society members who are also H G members.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members of the Group who have contributed in many different ways to ensuring that we continue to produce a quality and interesting group journal, particularly those who have submitted articles for publication. Carolyn Bloore, Steve Eva, Geoff Blackwell and Michael Pritchard should be thanked for contributions over and beyond the call of duty. There has been very positive feedback on the new format, Issues no 169 and 171. Members have commented very favourably on the new layout and larger, more easily read text. This is the format which The PH will follow in future issues. I believe that we are on course to meet our target of three issues for 2015.

After last year’s AGM we had the now customary excellent series of enjoyable and informative talks by Colin Harding and Geoff Blackwell. In the afternoon Anne M. Lyden, International Curator of Photography at the National Museums of Scotland and a recognised expert on the photography of Frederick Evans, Paul Strand and the Victorians, gave a fascinating talk on Frederick Evans which was supplemented with original Evans prints and material from the RPS Collection.

The committee has worked hard to ensure a diverse programme covering a wide range of interests and remains committed to continuing this in the future. It would be very helpful to have input from group members regarding the programme and visits etc., which they would like to see in the future programme. It was most unfortunate that the first event planned after the AGM – A two day event jointly organised by the East Midlands Region and our own Group, which was to be held in Nottingham, was cancelled at short notice due to insufficient support.

In August members had the pleasure of visiting the Brunel Institute Library and Archive in Bristol, where they were given an excellent guided tour by Eleni Papavasileiou who is not only Curator of the Library and Archive but a fellow group member. We had an opportunity to view the Institute’s collection of David Mc Gregor’s maritime photographs. In September a group of members ventured further south to Swindon to visit the English Heritage Photographic Archive at the headquarters of English Heritage and were hosted by Chief Archivist, Mike Evans and his colleagues. We learned

1 that the collection had been started in 1908 and now contains more than 12 million documents of which approximately 75% are photographs. During a series of excellent presentations the history of the archive was explained and the impact of various key events noted. The archive has benefitted from a series of step changes in technology as well as social issues, for example, the beginning of commercial aero photography in 1908, the massive coverage of the country by the RAF made necessary by the war and the later introduction of people into the images.

In November we ventured even further south, crossing the Channel for another visit to Paris but this time during Paris PhotoMonth. A full report of this visit is in Issue No. 171 of The PhotoHistorian. On Saturday 29th November we arrived in a Birmingham yet again choc a bloc with Christmas shoppers for a research day on the Birmingham Library organised by Geoff Blackwell ably supported by Jim Ranahan. There was a series of talks on various members’ research projects. All of these were delivered in a relaxed and pleasant environment and again highlighted the wide diversity of interests within the Group.

Finally in February 2015 Geoff Blackwell arranged a visit to W.W.Winter Ltd., in Derby. Winters Studios remains a flourishing photographic business. The company moved to their current location in 1867 and is the last remaining photographic studio of the many set up in Derby during the 19 th and 20th centuries. The company is embarking on a programme of sympathetic renovation in order to create a museum facility in part of the building used by early operators. We were fortunate to have a review of the history of the business by one of the present managers and to see images from the Winter Collection.

Membership of the Group continues to grow and now stands at 162, a year on year increase of 12.5%. Much of this is due to the vigorous and sustained efforts by the elected members of the Advisory Board to promote membership of the Special Interest Groups. Our secretary, Jenny Ford is prominent in pushing forward this agenda. It is encouraging to note that the overall Society membership continues to grow which is recognition not only of the prestige and status of the Society but of the hard work done by Council, The Director General and the staff at headquarters in promoting it. As always none of these successes would have been achieved without the unstinting and energetic efforts of all members of the Group committee and I am indebted to each and every one for their support and commitment. We are also fortunate to have a very helpful and responsive administration at our Bath headquarters and I would like to thank our Director General, Michael Pritchard and all his colleagues for all their help and hard work on our behalf over the past year. As is obvious from today’s venue the Group continues to value its close relationship with the Museum and its staff, our friends and colleagues. I’m delighted, as I’m sure are members, that this relationship remains strong and active.

With the continued enthusiasm and energy of members, the efforts of the group committee and the excellent backup from Bath, the RPS Historical Group will go from strength to strength and make a major contribution to the world’s biggest and best photographic society. I have absolutely no doubt that the new committee under the leadership of the new Chair will continue to build on the successes in which I have been delighted to play my part.

There are three events which during my time in office stick particularly in my memory. Firstly was the revival of the Hurter and Driffield Lecture and Medal in no small part due to the efforts of Ron Callender. A more appropriate Medal recipient than Steven Sasson, the inventor of the first digital camera would have been hard to find. Secondly on a visit to the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris where Sylvie Aubenas brought out countless treasures for us, the look of sheer disbelief on the faces of Colin Ford, David Bruce, Nigel Thorpe and Geoff Blackwell when they realised that the document they were handling was the original signed agreement between Niépce and Daguerre. Finally on the day that Andy Murray became the first Brit for 76 years to win Wimbledon I spent the day at a meeting, admittedly enjoyable, in Fenton House as a favour to my good friend, Geoff Blackwell. I did not see one single point of the match. Maybe it’s that sort of fellowship and friendship that makes the Historical Group the great bunch they are. 2 Donald Stewart FRPS, Chair.

4) Hon. Teasurer’s Report for year ended 31 st December 2014 – Mr. Geoff Blackwell ARPS In presenting my report for the year ended 31st December 2014 I would like to draw attention to the unfortunate loss due to the cancellation of the Sander event in Nottingham. This had been planned as an event in conjunction with the East Midland Region but despite early indications of support, by the time we had to make a commitment for the venue and catering there was insufficient support to justify going ahead. Three speakers had booked flights early to take advantage of discounts and those commitments had to be honoured. The point of raising this now is to stress the need for members to book events. It has transpired since that several members planned to attend but missed the booking dates or did not think it was necessary to book in advance. Please ensure that you do look at the website and book for all the events you wish to attend. I also need to draw your attention to the significantly increased postal costs which mean that although I am not proposing this meeting needs to consider increasing the subscription, it may be necessary to revisit that issue in the 2016.

The immediate future looks secure but some of the future events may require a nominal attendance charge to cover rising costs. For example, we may not assume that the Birmingham Library is going to be available for free meetings in the future and indeed although the National Media Museum has been generous to date in providing facilities, their budgets are being stretched and they may not be in a position to offer free accommodation in the future. Your Committee also plans to support events relating to the Hurter and Driffield Centenary and a major symposium on Victorian Photography during the coming year or so. We also propose to continue with the Travel Grants in view of the positive contribution they have made to date. At present we have all of the necessary resources to meet our plans which are becoming increasingly relevant and exciting but I would not want to allow our reserves to diminish too quickly. Finally, I am pleased to be able to present the accounts for another modestly successful year and I am happy to take questions. Geoff Blackwell The Treasurer’s report was accepted. Proposed by Janine Freeston and seconded by Robert Gates.

5) Adoption of revised Constitution of the RPS Historical Group Geoff Blackwell reported to the meeting that he had enlisted Graham Whitwham to consider the revised constitution and that several points had arisen that require more clarification. The constitution will require further revision and thus will be circulated to members again, for adoption at the 2016 AGM.

6) Election of the Committee for 2015-2016 It was with regret that resignations from the Historical Group committee had been received from both Dr. Donald Stewart (former Chairman) and Brian Iddon (former committee member). Dr. Donald Stewart retired as Chairman and Janine Freeston, the incoming Chairman of the RPS Historical Group, reported that eight completed nomination forms had been received from the following members:

Janine Freeston (Chairman) Richard Fattorini (Committee Member) Geoff Blackwell, ARPS (Treasurer) Dr. Michael Pritchard, FRPS (Committee member) Jenny Ford, ARPS (Secretary) Jim Ranahan (Committee Member) Dr. Carolyn Bloore (Committee member) Gilly Read, FRPS (Committee member) The constitution allows for up to 10 committee members, thus all the above were elected unopposed. This was agreed by all those present.

3 7) Any other Business (i) Janine Freeston proposed a vote of thanks to Dr. Donald Stewart for his valuable and very much appreciated contribution to the Historical Group during his term as Chairman. Those present marked their thanks to Dr. Stewart with a rousing round of applause. Janine Freeston also gave a vote of thanks to Brian Iddon for his valued contributions to the work of the committee. (ii) Dr. Carolyn Bloore thanked Dr. Stewart, Graham Whitwham and Jenny Ford who came forward in 2006 to ensure that the Historical Group carried on and didn’t cease to exist. (iii) Avril Harris shared information about the Contemporary Group’s upcoming conference, Concerning Photography to be held 16/17th May 2015 at Sheffield University. (iv) Dr. Michael Pritchard reported that the Society’s Documentary and Visual Journalism Group was holding a symposium on the history of war photography on 19th April in Winchester. The speakers included Hilary Roberts, curator, at the Imperial War Museum and the Historical Group’s Dr. Ron Callender, FRPS. The DVJ Group was also holding an exhibition of contemporary photography during April at the same venue reflecting on the centenary of the First World War. (v) Dr. Ron Callender, FRPS asked “How many committee meetings were held annually, as technology had changed dramatically?” Janine Freeston replied that normally two or three meetings were held each year plus email interaction between committee members. (vi) Dr. David Bruce, FRPS reported to members of the major exhibition to be held during 2015 at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh entitled, Photography: A Victorian Sensation. 2nd October 2015 a guided tour of the exhibition is proposed and on Saturday 3 rd October 2015 a One day conference will be organised by National Museum of Scotland and supported by the RPS HG. (vii) Gilly Read reported to members, A Day in Manchester, is to be held on 29th May 2015. All details are on www.rps.org places to be booked on line. (viii) Geoff Blackwell informed members that there were four places available on the visit to the Royal Photographic Collection at Windsor Castle, hosted by curator, Dr. Sophie Gordon, on 28th April 2015. All details and booking via www.rps.org. (ix) Harry McGee informed members that the Institute of Photography in Scotland were holding a photographic season (Blueprint II) featuring an exhibition at Trongate 103, Glasgow between 3-26th September 2015, entitled Ponton to Klic to PhotoJournalism.

8) Date and Venue of 2016 AGM It was agreed that the next HG AGM would be held at the National Media Museum, March/April 2016, date to be advised. The Annual General Meeting closed at 11.20 am.

The AGM was followed by four presentations given in the Kraszna-Krausz Room:

Janine Freeston The Tripod of Science, Industry and Technology Dr. David Bruce, FRPS Photography: An Unreliable History Roy Hawthorne, ARPS and David Kingston, LRPS Reijlander and The Two Ways of Life Christopher Penn The Nicholas Brothers and A. T. W. Penn

After lunch a tour of the exhibition entitled, Drawn by Light: Treasures of the RPS Collection, was led by curator, Colin Harding.