5th October 2011

BEAMINSTER: Photographer Ted, 90, can still capture an audience

By Harry Worthington

The first meeting of the 2011-12 Beaminster and District Camera Club season was a “full house” at Beaminster Museum.

Members were absorbed first by a short illustrated talk by veteran photographer, Ted Smith, on his visit to the Isle of Man and second by a showing of the superb winning images at this year’s PAGB (Photographic Alliance of G.B.) nature competition.

Ted, who will shortly reach his 90th birthday and is a long standing member of the club, talked of the wide range of interesting features offered by the island from a now defunct, but once highly productive, lead and zinc mine to the Jimmy Guthrie (motorcyclist) memorial; from The House of Keys to the memorial to Sir William Hillary (effectively the founder of the RNLI).

His lively talk ended with reference to a chance encounter in Douglas with Norman Wisdom in the form of a statue to the comedian.

The audience was entranced by the brilliance of many of the winning nature photographs projected, which covered a wide selection of topics including wild animals seen on safari, birds home and abroad, underwater photographs and insects, especially some wonderful shots of dragonflies.

The club’s next meeting, which is a competition evening, is on Tuesday, October 11th and newcomers are warmly welcomed. For further information contact chairman Tessa Safadi on 01935 891068 or visit www.beaminstercameraclub.co.uk.

PICTURE: VETERAN PHOTOGRAPHER - Ted Smith gave an illustrated talk at the first Beaminster and District Camera Club meeting of the season