First recorded in a set of Minutes in The North & East Midlands Photographic Federation Archives when Societies in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire met under Ernest Hiscox to discuss the founding of The North East Midlands Photographic Association (now a Federation) in 1948.

The current Long Eaton Camera Club was formed in 1994 when our sponsors, Greater Nottingham Co-op at that time, sold the Butchers Shop at No.5 Market Place and the Long Eaton & District Co-operative Camera Club which comprised both Still and Cine Sections had to split into 2 separate clubs.   The premises above the Butchers comprised 2 floors and allowed the use 7 days a week so the Still Section met on a Tuesday and the Cine on a Wednesday, and as it would be very difficult to operate both sections on the same evening, 2 separate clubs formed, the Cine Section becoming WAVE.

The Long Eaton & District Co-operative Camera Club was formed by the amalgamation of Long Eaton Co-operative Camera Club and Long Eaton Trinity Camera Club in 1970.   The premises above the butchers were obtained by Tom Gardner who worked for the Co-op on shop maintenance.

The inaugural meeting of The Long Eaton Camera Club, as it is today, was held on 11th October 1994 at a new Clubroom above The New Inn, Tamworth Road, Long Eaton.   The Landlord allowed us the use of a large room on the first floor, which they did not use.   However, a change in Landlord, who required the room, meant in 2002 we had to look for new premises.

Roy Maddison, a Committee Member, contacted The Sawley Women’s Institute and they had just decided they needed to let out their premises to assist their finances, so we started the 2002/2003 season at Sawley.

We have met at the Sawley WI for our winter programme since then, which the current version is available on our web site.

Peter W Cheetham HONPAGB

Member since 1969