About SMCC

THE CLUB HAS MOVED AFTER 32 YEARS!

After some 32 years of happy times at the Club's previous premises, we moved to our new premises at the beginning of September 2023.

Our new address is: - Cornerstone United Reformed Church, 111 Burnage Lane, Burnage, Manchester M19 2WH (see map).

The Club meets at 8.00 pm on Monday evenings throughout the year with the exception of Bank Holidays and around Christmas time. 

However, as we sometimes arrange meetings away from the Clubroom, it is strongly suggested that you review the Programme page to confirm the location of the club meeting. 

The clubroom is usually opened by 7:30pm and meetings start promptly at 8pm. If you are visiting us for the first time, we recommend you come along at about 7:50pm and ask for one of our Meeters & Greeters who will be happy to welcome you to the club and answer any questions you may have.

INTERESTED IN JOINING?

If you are interested in joining the Club, click here for more details, which are found on our "Join The Club" page.

FORMATION

The Club was formed in June 1952 by a group of friends in Didsbury, led by Fred Veal FRPS, FRSA, the Club's first President. The aim of the Club was to encourage 'good friendship through photography' which is now the Club's motto.

In June 2022 the Club celebrated its 70th anniversary and a number of events were held during the year to mark the occasion, including a Gala Dinner, Exhibitions and a Photo Trail in Didsbury. Click here to see further information on how we celebrated.

PROGRAMME

The Club offers a varied programme, with presentations, demonstrations and print or projected image shows. Regular photographic related events are also arranged. Further details of Club events are available on the Programme page. 

INTEREST GROUPS

At the beginning of 2023, the Club introduced a mentoring scheme for Club members by setting up small interest groups. These groups are each led by a couple of experienced leaders and cover Landscape, People, Urban/Street, Macro Photography, Astro Photography and a Basic Skills group. Each group arranges its own practical outings and review sessions, where images are shared within the groups and constructive and supportive critique is given to help members improve their photography. Members can join as many groups as they want and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

OTHER CLUB MEETINGS

Occasionally, additional and more specific group meetings, demonstrations or training sessions are arranged, usually away from the Club. These events are usually announced at a prior weekly meeting and there is sometimes a nominal charge to cover expenses etc.

COMPETITIONS

Monthly competitions for prints and digital images are usually held on the second Monday of every month, with members accruing points throughout the year towards the annual consistency awards. There are currently three separate monthly competitions:

  • Open - digitally projected
  • Theme - digitally projected and
  • Print - Open. On occasions when the Print competition cannot be run an alternative digitally projected competition will be substituted.

Annual print and digital image of the year competitions are also held. See the General Competition Notes and Competition Rules

Occasionally, the Club takes part in competitions with other clubs and members are encouraged to submit entries to the appropriate competition secretary for possible selection.

PHOTOGRAPHIC OUTINGS

The Events Secretary promotes local and national events of photographic interest throughout the year and welcomes suggestions for future events. For further details please refer to the Programme page.

ANNUAL SOCIAL AND AWARDS NIGHT

The Annual Awards and Social evening is held in December and guests are invited. The evening includes the presentation of awards won by members during the year in the monthly and annual competitions. See Competitions Awards page for details of the awards.

SOCIAL MEDIA

The Club is actively involved with promoting its activities and images on social media such as Facebook and Flickr. The Club website is built on the principle of sharing images and social integration and the Club actively seeks to encourage its members to engage over the internet as well as on Club nights.

SUGGESTIONS

If you have any ideas for improving the Club, please approach a committee member. If you have ideas for a possible lecture, or know someone who can give an interesting illustrated talk, please advise the Programme Secretary, who will also be pleased to hear from any members wishing to prepare their own presentation. You can also click Submit Feedback / Query in the footer of every page, to ask a question or send us feedback.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The AGM is normally held in April/May following the Club's year-end of the 31st March.

CLUB RULES

The Rules of the Club have been formulated and modified during the life of the club and are listed in the Club Handbook located in the Members Area for download. They may only be amended by following the procedures contained in these rules.

CLUB MANAGEMENT

A committee, elected by the membership at the AGM, is responsible for managing the Club and setting competition rules (see The Committee).