Bob’s
Yer Uncle!
May I here record the very fine job Bob Lewis has done in sorting out a
complete list of members, in alphabetical order and, further divided into
the various Areas.
I gather this was achieved through his
computer and the list have runs to seven A4 size pages. Must have been a
mammoth task for I’m told the “System” was something rather chaotic,
What worries me though, are the terrific number of black lines through
names and addresses of, presumably, former members. No less than 126 -
which figure of course, doesn’t include the big loss in Yorkshire.
(The
membership files were up to date as best as could be worked out from .Area
Leader & Treasurer’s files. They may have got out of alphabetical
order, but each Area was complete and individually filed. The 126 lost
members were over the period since the Yorkshire break and the total loss
of Area’s 23 & 12 in the last 2 years.
So what do we gather from this? THE CLUB
IS MINUS 126 MEMBERS - over what period I’m not sure, - BUT IT’S TOO
MANY. According to my list this leaves a total of 259 members.
A membership that is truly abysmal for a National organisation. So really
L it is up to each of us to do our bit - but most of all to Lee cook for
publicity is the life blood of any undertaking in this modern society.
MORE
FRAMES. Mr. COWLING’ S WAY.
In the April Newsletter I referred to the
passing of Mr. Cowling a member of Area 11. Since then I had a welcome
letter from Mrs. Cowling - it seems that the spirit of camaraderie, always
so evident between C. R. C. members, also radiates. from their ladies - at
any rate Mrs. Cowling followed up with a box of photographic materials,
which was greatly appreciated.
Amongst
them were a few films of Barfen CRX, though until I’m able to compare
the “raw” emulsion with both Fuji and Konica I wont know from which
manufacturer it might have originated. But, at least, I’ll have yet
another emulsion to put through its paces.
All the films had obviously been loaded
by Mr. Cowling from bulk length and he had hit on a method of using a
length of film to give the absolute maximum exposure&~ a simple but
ingenious- and effective - method. A mere half-inch of the loaded film was
left out-side the light trap of the cassette to which was taped about
eight or nine inches of scrap film, with the first two or so sprocket
holes exactly coinciding. The scrap film must be over-laped underneath the
unexposed film in the cassette in order to avoid fouling the sprockets
when winding on.
By this means the scrap film forms the
leader so that, after loading, and firing the shutter a couple or so times
almost the very beginning of the new film will be in position for the
first shot. Thus no waste and I consider this to be a clever and
worthwhile method of economy of film and of particular use for those of us
who use short lengths for test purposes.
TROUBLE IN THEM THERE VALLEYS
If there ‘s trouble around you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be in
the heart of it. Take, for instance. In all innocence I mention what a
splendid idea to use the Will Griffiths Memorial Trophy as the premier
award in a C R. C. National competition. Well I DID think it a good idea.
And I still do. For I maintain that Will, if he were able, would agree
with me, For Will Griffiths was a “heart & Soul” C. R. C. man. Loyal
to Area 15 years. Loyal to the core. No doubt about that. No doubt at all.
But I’m certain he would be proud that a trophy in his memory was the
premier award in a C. R. C. National competition.
But Oh Dear I Oh Dear1! What
a furore my suggestion has caused in those Welsh Valleys!