Opening Night of the New Season at Dunchurch Photographic Society

Last night marked the exciting opening of the new season at Dunchurch Photographic Society, and what an evening it was! Members, guests, and friends gathered together to celebrate not only the start of a fresh year of photography, but also the sense of community and creativity that the Society embodies.

We were honoured to be joined by the Lady Mayor of Rugby, whose presence made the evening especially memorable. In her impassioned opening speech, she spoke about the vital role groups like ours play within the local community. She highlighted how societies such as Dunchurch Photographic Society provide opportunities for people to connect, express themselves creatively, and support one another’s wellbeing—particularly in relation to mental health. Her words resonated strongly with everyone present and set a wonderful tone for the season ahead.

Following the warm welcome, it was time for the first competition of the year, with the theme: Summer Fun. The competition drew a fantastic response, with 11 print entries and 29 digitally projected images, all judged by the membership.

The projected competition turned out to be especially nail-biting, as the votes ended in a tie for first place. In a delightful twist, the deciding vote was cast by none other than the Lady Mayor herself. Her decision crowned Warren Strickland as the winner of the Projected Image Section.

Meanwhile, in the Print Section, the honours went to David Hilliard, whose entry perfectly captured the spirit of the theme and impressed members with both creativity and technical skill.

The evening was filled with laughter, inspiration, and a wonderful sense of anticipation for what promises to be a creative and rewarding season. With such a strong start, we can’t wait to see what the rest of the year will bring.