As you probably know, I have been involved with Publicity and Photography all my working life, starting at 16 years of age with a job hand-lettering cinema posters. Such epics as Scott of the Antarctic - John Mills and Meet the Huggets (when Petula Clark was a child star, probably about 12 years old!) plus many more B/W feature films mainly in black & white, all being screened at Odeons, Gaumonts and ABC Cinemas throughout the country.

Many different ways to shape my career followed, with writing tickets for Kendal Milne, silk-screen printing, and the position of Studio Manager at the Co-op in Manchester.  Photography has always been part of the job, with it complimenting my other work and, apart from that, I did Wedding Photography for 28 years (not digital, I hasten to add).

I have said it before, I was very lucky, in as much as my job has been my hobby and it doesn't get much better than that.

When I was asked to be Vice President, I felt very honoured but immediately thought about my position as Publicity Officer which I would have to relinquish.  After holding this position for the past 8 years or so I felt a bit reluctant to hand it over.

My fears were unfounded. I was told there is nothing in the Constitution that says members can only hold one office at a time.  I am now very honoured and privileged to be your President and I will do my best to serve the Club in the same way as my long line of distinguished predecessors.

We are now going to have a summer break until our next season which starts on October 4th.  Let's hope everyone will have an enjoyable holiday, with the weather as kind to us as it has been this last week - on second thoughts, perhaps that's a bit optimistic (the weather, I mean).

I would just like to thank everybody for their support and to say that I'm looking forward to the challenge and going forward with our excellent Club.

Thank you!

Keith Barlow