125th Anniversary ideas

[Paul Heester]

Following on from the suggestions given on Wednesday night - weekend trip away and day trip by coach - I thought I would start a thread for any other suggestions people may have as time draws near to March 2015.

Having read a copy of Photography News Issue 11 magazine, I see a page devoted to camera club news. It covers the (youthful!) 30th anniversary for Chapel CC, so Im sure we could get published nearer the time.

I also like the idea on the same page - which I have scanned below - as a good way of publicising the club. Im sure something similar could be arranged with the Whitgift Centre?? Giving people a free digital portrait would draw people into the shop and give members experience with portraiture.

What do people think?

Bangor.JPG (87.28 KiB) Viewed 1021 times

[Rose]

Good idea Paul It could be done anytime during our anniversary year, depending on the availability of a suitable premises. And if it's after April, I could get involved as I'll be retired !

[Mike Farley]

I also like the idea on the same page - which I have scanned below - as a good way of publicising the club. Im sure something similar could be arranged with the Whitgift Centre?? [/attachment]

Thanks for posting this suggestion, Paul.

I have never seen any of the empty units in the Whitgift Centre used either on a temporary basis or as charity shops. Landlords can benefit greatly from the latter as business rates sometimes are not payable at all or at just 20% of the full rate, so there is definitely a financial inducement to do so. It might be that there is a policy prohibiting such usage as it can cheapen the appearance of a shopping centre and there could be objections from other stores. If we have sufficient people who would be willing to help run such a venture, there is no harm in asking, however.

[Paul Heester]

Thought I would bump this idea back into the mix given we have just passed our anniversary.

On the day coach hire subject I got a quote from a local company. It was based on hire for Saturday 16th May going to Hastings and possibly a second location in the afternoon. Pickup was at 0800 from the Methodist hall and drop off at 1800.

49 seat vehicle (with W/C) = £750.00
32 seat vehicle (No W/C) = £650.00
+ Parking

Obviously there are a lot of variables at play here - date, locations and numbers of people. Im not even sure enough people are interested in a day out to justify the cost involved. Even if we fill up 30 seats that's still just over £20.

Please all add your thoughts

[Mike Farley]

One recommendation I have had from someone I know who hires coaches regularly was for Woodcocks in East Grinstead and he suggested that the price would be lower than what you have been quoted at around £500, albeit he normally hires for a shorter period than the one you have proposed and wage costs will be a factor. I have been on a Woodcocks coach, which was comfortable and well driven.

[Rose]

Whilst it might be nice to travel together, the coach hire is still a relatively large outlay. Personally speaking if the outing were to Hastings I'd probably drive myself as it seems a bit daft to drive into Croydon only to go virtually past my front door again on the way back down to the A21 ! But that's a personal choice.