Report by Howard Wilson of Tynemouth PS
The PAGB Inter-club Print Championships took place in Newport, Telford on Saturday 24th October. External Competitions Secretary Linda McGregor, my Wife Dorothy and myself were in attendance to represent Tynemouth PS, which was one of 46 clubs from around the country taking part in the competition.
In the first round we had to submit 12 prints containing no less than 4 colour and 4 mono and no more than 3 prints per author. Blow me, with 158 points we missed getting in to the final by one point. Grrrr! However, it was our best placing ever in the first round. All remaining clubs not in the final then competed for the ‘Plate’.
We had to submit 8 prints and could reuse 4 of those used in the first round. There had to be no less than 3 mono and 3 colour, and no more than 2 prints per author.
The first round prints had been chosen by our Club’s selection committee, but Linda, Dorothy and I had to select the 8 prints to use in the Plate. In less than 45 minutes we had to decide on our entries, collect relevant forms and labels, list them on the official form, attach labels to the backs of the prints and hand everything in. Thank goodness we had bought a sandwich on our way to the venue!
I believe our best prior placing in the competition was something like 27th. But this year, would you believe it, with 109 points we won the Plate, jointly with Evolve Group from Warrington, Cheshire! I’m sure you will understand when I say I was on a high and smiling like a Cheshire Cat. We had five prints which scored the top mark of 15.
Linda won a Judge’s medal for her colour print ‘The Cabin by the Shore’. The medal was presented and pictures taken, then the Chairman said ‘”wait there Linda” and awarded her a second medal for her mono print ‘Take a Seat’. By now I was almost on the ceiling, and with a smile as wide as the Tyne. I am so pleased for Tynemouth PS and for Linda. ‘A Grand Day Out’ as someone once said.
I must give a big thank you to our selection committee for choosing our top 12 for the first round, and also the other prints for our bank of about 30 from which to choose our second round. Also, of course, we must give our hearty congratulations and thanks to all the authors for making such fabulous prints, and thanks to the judges for recognising the super work. They had a hard and tiring day I’m sure.
This weekend must surely rank as the best I have ever spent for this club in my entire 57 years as a member. I cannot tell you how pleased I am that I attended the event. I am just so proud of the work members are producing to reach this level, which has now been recognised nationally.
And to think, the NCPF initially were not going to invite us to attend – until I made a big fuss.
Keswick came in at 16th equal with 102 points, and Saltburn 28th equal with 97. Well done to them for qualifying for the event.