Today I was across in the North East at Ryton for the presentation of the Northern Counties Photographic Federation’s Annuals competition awards. The NCPF is a Federation of all 43 camera clubs across the north of England and the Annuals competition is open to all members of the Federation. The competition took place back in April and I wrote about it here.

The official photos won’t be out for a few days, but my friend took some snaps for me.

I’ve had a lovely day 😊. It was standing room only at the back of the hall and the mood was one of celebration and appreciation. It was, of course, both gratifying and humbling to receive my 5 trophies and my Judge’s award from the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain’s Interfederation monochrome print competition, but more than that it was just so nice to see people I haven’t seen in forever, those I’ve seen on Zoom but never in person and to meet new faces. A lady sitting next to me had won the beginner’s competition and I remember being in her shoes a decade ago. If someone had told me then I would go on to win the entire competition I would have thought they’d been necking the cooking sherry 😂

I came home with quite the stash of awards – no clue where I’m going to put them, which isn’t exactly a bad dilemma to have!

My thanks go to the Competitions committee for their hard work in putting on the Annuals, and to the rest of the NCPF Executive (of which I’m a member) for all their work today in making the event such a success. It wouldn’t happen without you 🙏🏻