Dave Morrell Area 4 Co-ordinator) sent this timely article from new member,

AlF Sargeant

Joining the Colour Reversal Club is not quite as traumatic as joining up in '42. It is however a damn sight more interesting. I had been thrashing about looking for 'Gen' on Cibachrome. Checking 'Firstcall' catalogue for prices I came across the name, 'Ron Croad', incidentally, your name is still there, Ron!). After a few false starts I eventually spoke to the man himself, who gave me Peter Guy's name and telephone number. I spoke to Peter and within a few days had received a very welcoming letter and stacks of information. The most important of which was the name of our area organiser, Dave Morrell. A phone call to him resulted in an invitation to the next meeting.

At the first meeting, to which I took my camera 'buddy' Brian Spurrell, I found that the members produced black and white slides. What for, I asked? Why black and white slides? I got the same cold answer as Alan Hincks gave about climbing Everest. "Cos, it's there to be done!" Mixed their own 'Home-brew. Now. that I could see the point of.

Brian and I had bought between us, an all singing, all dancing, Fujimoto enlarger and with a Nova Clubmate could produce prints, of acceptable quality, at a rate of knots. Still, I felt that there was more to it than that. I wanted that eyecatching, (following?) touch. I blamed my Nikon 600 AF. What was that about a workman and his tools? Anyway, I changed it for a F50.

Then one of my colleagues at C. R. C hinted that my prints were not as sharp as they could be. To the rescue again' Dave turned up at my home with his 'Hocus-Focus'. I found that I could use that, whereas I had great difficulty using a grain finder. I ordered mine on a Friday afternoon and received the same on Saturday morning. Great service from mail order nowadays!

Christmas present time brought in enough cash to buy a balance from Rayco, (made in China'), and enough chemicals to fix a square mile of paper. Then I found that John Pearle is the man to talk to.

Comparing prices is a good Yorkshireman's way of whiling away the long winter's nights. At the meeting, apart from a cup of tea, most of the evening was spent in the darkroom. Fascinating.

Dave and I sent an order to make up an I.D 20 formula, from the Rayco book. For about œ14-00, including postage, I made up 500m1 of developer, diluted it plus three and filled the Nova tank. Up to date I have print ed. 93 no 7x5' s.

12 no. 12x9's 6 no. lOx8's. All from the initial mix, and, enough chemicals to make another two batches. Music to my pension ruled economy.

We were all saddened at the news, last year, of upset and argument over management policy. Not knowing the people involved I am not eligible to comment, other than that politics have no place in an organisation like ours.

The Camera Clubs in this area are disappointing, concentrating as they do on competitions. Very little practical help is available. If you are unlucky enough to be a member of a club with a majority of professionals, the amateur has no chance. Not so the C.R.C. A small group, plenty of time to talk, most of the time spent in the dark room, plenty of practical demonstration.

More strength to your elbow, LONG LIVE COLOUR REVERSAL CLUB.