Stroud Camera Club competed in the Western Counties Photographic Federation (WCPF) Annual Inter-Club Championship in Exeter. The prestigious event brings together photographic clubs from across the region to compete at the highest level, and the 2026 championship proved to be one of the most memorable in the club’s history.
The championship is split into two sections: Print and Digital. In the Print Championship, each club submits 15 mounted prints (which must include a set number of mono images), while the Digital Championship requires 18 digital images. This year, 24 clubs entered the Print section and an impressive 41 clubs competed in the Digital section, highlighting both the scale and the competitiveness of the event.
Each image is viewed and scored independently by three judges, with marks ranging from one to five from each judge. The individual scores are then totalled to determine the overall club placings. Against this backdrop of strong competition, Stroud Camera Club delivered an outstanding performance.
Stroud Camera Club achieved third place in the Print Championship and fifth place in the Digital Championship. These are the highest combined placings the club has ever achieved in this event. Competing against much larger clubs such as Bristol and Dorchester, and with a membership of just 50 photographers, this represents an extraordinary achievement and a testament to the quality, consistency, and dedication of our members.
A special mention must go to Richard Atkinson, who received a Selector’s Award for his image The Lookout. To gain individual recognition at this level is no small feat, and Richard’s success reflects both his own skill and the high standard of work being produced across the club.
Perhaps the most exciting outcome of all is that our 3rd place finish in the Print Championship qualifies Stroud Camera Club to represent the WCPF at the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain (PAGB) Inter-Club Print Championship in October. This is a remarkable first for our club and an achievement that many far larger clubs aspire to. It marks a significant moment in Stroud Camera Club’s history and places us firmly on the national stage.
Roger Matthews once again led the Selection Committee with care, experience, and a steady hand. The club’s achievement would not be possible without the many members who regularly enter images into internal competitions. These competitions form the backbone of championship selections, encouraging high standards, healthy competition, and continual improvement. Every entry contributes to the strength and depth of the club’s photographic output.
Prints
Jeff Wilson The Portrait in Black and White (12); Francis Mridha Starry Night (11); Leslie Holmes Jaguar The Pantanal, Brazil (14); Richard Atkinson The Lookout (14) Selector award; Trish Bloodworth Warrior (13); Annie Blick Touching the Cube, Birmingham (11); Trish Bloodworth Companions (12); Trish Bloodworth Leeds Granary Wharf Area (11); Roger Matthews Diced Carrot (14); Jeff Wilson The Girl with the apple (10); Rene Cason All action over the jump (14); Mick West Occulus Fast and Slow (12); Mark Halling Wet Fox (13); Roger Matthews Looking to the past (10); Rene Cason Jays fighting with an audience (14).
Digital
Jeff Wilson The blue dress (12); Leslie Holmes Breaching Humpback, Alaska (10); Francis Mrhida Serenity (10); Trish Bloodworth Mending the world (13); Roger Matthews Landing on the colony (14); Francis Mrhida Rugged (13); Rene Cason Red squirrel mid-flight (14); Annie Blick Textures of the tide (13); Mark Halling Tackle (12); Jeff Wilson The Apple (10); Annie Blick the Severn Wrecks (12); Mick West Rain in Times Square (12); Annie Blick Red and Blue (10); Annie Blick Night Running (12); Mick West Chicago (12); Trish Bloodworth A quiet moment (10); Mark Halling Spitting feathers (12); Rene Cason Violet Tailed Sylph (14).
