SECRETARY`S NOTES
It is strange to be writing these notes in November knowing that you will not get them to read until the New Year. nevertheless I would like to take the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The last year was not what can remember as a good year from the camera users point of view, so it is about time according to the law of averages for some good weather to arrive. Perhaps we shall get some good snow scenes. In spite of the weather, sales of film have gone quite well, some £700 worth passing through my hands. During the awful summer I managed to process 22 Konica films, with varying success. The first batch werea bit contrasty, and had a very faint blue cast, but by the time I got to film 18 they were coming out consistently The main reason for this being that I changed over to a formula that is not too well known. The late Arnold Moorhouse worked on a Mk. 2 Formula designed to give a longer shelf life to the developers, and it appears to work very well on Konica. While I have used Arnold`s Developers, the bleach, Fix, and Stabiliser are ones that I normally use. The Colour Developer is the one that is different from his well known one, and that I think is what gives it the edge on the Mk. 1 process.
The Editor has already got enough process material for this Newsletter, But if any of you want the results from my labours, drop me a S. A. Envelope and I`ll let you have have a copy. Members who have recently at Worcester bought film have already had the formula.
The Committee met recently at Worcester, and a lot of matters which should help the Club progress were discussed. The one which is perhaps most important is the Newsletter. It looks a much better job now that it is printed professionally. We have had quite a lot of complimentary remarks, and I think Bill is to be congratulated on his efforts.
There is unfortunately a debit to this progress, and that is the fact that it costs a lot more to produce. A few photographic traders have subsidised us little, but we felt that we must raise the subscription to £4.00 to help, out. The Family subscription stays at £5.00 so it is a bargain. As we kept the cost down for the last six years our subscription is still very much less than most other clubs.
Area 1 has been reformed and the Committee welcomed Alan Frame of Eyemouth, as its new Leader. Alan is a new member and will ease himself into the job until next April when the new season starts. Any ex members of Area 1 who wish to transfer to that Area are very welcome to do so.
We thought it would be a good idea if the Club had a Handbook which would contain basic information which could be given to start new members on the right road to successful processing. A start will be made on this project over the winter and it will be put in the Newsletter as a supplement. From time to time additions will be made in a similar way on more advanced subjects which members will be able to put into a small binder.
A tie and small pin badge were suggested and the Chairman had obtained some very attractive designs for these items. The snag is the cost as any individual style of badge has to have a special die made in which it is cast. It was decided to see what the response of members was, before going ahead with manufacturing these items.
I will finish these notes with the thought that we have never been better catered for in the choice of material. There are now at least six manufacturers producing cassettes of bulk film. Things look good for the Colour Reversal Club in 1988.
Ron.