A LOCAL photography group has welcomed a "renewed interest" from the public in recent weeks following their presence at two popular community events.

Forest of Dean Camera Club ran an Autumn Publicity campaign throughout September with the aim of recruiting new members, which included exhibitions and stalls at the artsJAB Creative Showcase Festival in Bream and the Forest Showcase Food Festival at Speech House last weekend.

And as a result, membership with the club has now been restored to pre-pandemic levels, with 10 new photographers and 21 regulars attending at talk from guest speaker Mark McColl on Scottish and Arctic landscapes at Viney St Swithins Social Club on Monday evening.

Club member Alan Waterman said the artsJab in Bream was, despite the "awful" weather, quite well attended, which district councillor Paul Hiett said in his opening address shows "the spirit of the local people".

During the event, famed potter Mary Rose Young was on hand to promote taster workshops, which included enamelling, printmaking, felt making and clay.

There was also an illustrated talk about free mining from Nick Hodgson, who recently had an exhibition of his work at the Main Place in Coleford, and "rousing" performances by the Forest of Dean Male Voice Choir and Bream Silver Band.

The camera club put out "an impressive display" of winning prints from recent competitions and had a rolling loop of projected images on a big screen.

Alan was also promoting his photography book ’Woodland Wild Flowers’ along with several other local authors who promoted books on various subjects, but predominantly local history.

Alan said the Food Festival the next day bought "better weather", but still some rain and a "spectacular" double rainbow in the afternoon.

The popular event, which was cancelled last year due to the pandemic, was well attended, with long queues developing at lunch time for all the "different and delicious looking" foods on offer.

The day was a "very busy" one for the camera club, with chairman Andrew MacBean and members Nick Stewart, Kim Mobbs, Julia Dawson and Clark Atkinson all on duty.

All were on hand to answer questions and discuss techniques with members of the public, with many showing and discussing photographs of their own with club members.

"Particularly encouraging was the numbers of young people showing an interest in photography", Alan commented.

"A difficult career path but very rewarding if you make it.

"Long may this renewed interest continue".