By Caroline Oswald
Tynemouth Photographic Society has a long history in North Shields, so it is fitting that they
have returned to their roots on Howard Street in the town’s Cultural Quarter.
In 1894, a club was set up in North Shields by Walter F. Corder, first President of the
Northern Counties Photographic Federation. Corder ran two pharmaceutical businesses in
the town, including a chemist at 22 Albion Road. The Borough of Tynemouth Photographic
Society was founded on 18th March 1903 and the first address on pictorial photography was
given by W.F. Corder himself.
They began their meetings at the Presbyterian Church hall on Northumberland Square, but
moved to Howard Street Presbyterian Church hall as the original room was too cold and
noisy due to the Boys’ Brigade! They moved to the YMCA on Bedford Street in 1920 for the
next ten years. In 1933 they moved to their own club rooms, Camera Corner, at the top of
Nile Street. They stayed there until 1937 when they moved to Camera House on Tynemouth
Front Street, where they remained until moving back to their current premises in North
Shields in 2019.
The club’s secretary, Jane Flowers, explains more about their present-day activities:
“We share a common interest in photography in all its forms. More experienced members
are always happy to support any beginners. As well as our general Thursday evening group,
we run many sub-groups, including nature, urban and practical sessions, which provide
hands-on experience of photography and processing. We also have a record group with a
huge archive of pictures and equipment as well as a film and video group. Visitors can enjoy
three free meetings before deciding whether to join.”
Meetings are on Thursday evenings at 7:30pm at 106&107 Howard Street. For further
details go to: www.tynemouthps.co.uk.
