Kidderminster Camera Club to mark 120th anniversary

The club, founded in October 1906, will mark this milestone with a special exhibition at Kidderminster Town Hall from Monday, December 14 to Friday, December 18, 2026.

This event will showcase both contemporary work by club members and historical pieces, reflecting the evolution of photography over the past century.

The exhibition, funded by an £8,000 grant from Arts Council England, with support from Kidderminster BID, aims to connect the club with the wider community.

A key part of the project involves collaboration with Four Stones Academy.

Pupils will have the opportunity to display their work alongside club members, allowing them to share their creativity and experience the thrill of a public exhibition.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to participate in a public-choice competition, voting for their favourite photographs.

The club hopes the Mayor of Kidderminster will attend the opening ceremony, although this is yet to be confirmed.

The exhibition intends to be an inclusive event for the entire community, blending local history with artistic expression and encouraging the next generation of photographers.

The Kidderminster Camera Club, initially known as the Kidderminster and District Photographic Society, first met at the Coffee Tavern in Vicar Street on October 26, 1906.

The original minute book from 1906 to 1913 still exists, providing a fascinating insight into the society's early activities.

From the start, the club has met on Monday evenings, a tradition that continues today at St Barnabas’s Community Centre.

The club has always been a place for photographic experimentation.

As early as 1908, members discussed techniques like adding skies and cloud effects to enhance photographs, showing that image manipulation predates modern digital editing.

The society held its inaugural public exhibition in 1909, showcasing more than 100 photographs.

By the late 1930s, membership had grown to over 100, making it one of the largest photographic societies in the Midlands.

The club celebrated its centenary in 2006 with a special exhibition at Kidderminster Library Gallery.

Its 120th anniversary exhibition continues this tradition, presenting another opportunity to share the club’s work and history with the wider community.

Today, the club has 33 members of varying ages, interests, and skill levels.

It offers a range of activities including guest speakers, practical photography sessions, image critique discussions, and outdoor photographic outings.

The club also holds interclub competitions and participates in national competitions.

The club’s 120th anniversary exhibition will be open from 10am to 5pm on Monday, December 14, 9am to 5pm on Tuesday, December 15, 9am to 9pm on Wednesday, December 16, 9am to 5pm on Thursday, December 17, and 9am to 11am on Friday, December 18.

The Courtyard Café at Kidderminster Town Hall will also be open on Monday, December 14.

Admission to the exhibition is free.