From Heanor Advertiser, 16th January 1903

ILKESTON ARTS, CAMERA AND FIELD CLUB.

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SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL CONVERSAZIONE.

A short time ago a number of leading citizens of Ilkeston conferred with each other on the advisability of forming a club for the purpose of promoting and furthering the interests of painting, sketching, photography, wood-carving, botany, geology and kindred subjects. The outcome of it was the formation of what is called the Ilkeston Arts, Camera and Field Club. The Mayor (Ald. F. Sudbury) consented to be President, and the following are the vice-presidents: The Vicar (Rev. E.M. Evans), Alderman R. Hunt, Councillor W. Shakespeare and Dr. Paton; secretary, Mr J. Tyrrell; management committee, Alderman Hunt (Chairman), Dr Paton, Messrs P W Timmins, A J Trueman, H T Sudbury, and A. Burrows together with the officers.

 

The inauguration of the Club took place on Friday night in the shape of a conversazione held in the Town Hall. There was a large response of ladies and gentlemen to the invitation of the committee, the hall being well filled, and the greatest interest being manifested in the proceedings. The Mayor had promised to preside, but was unable at the last moment to be present, and in his place the Town Clerk (Mr Wright Lissett) opened the proceedings, being introduced by Alderman R. Hunt, as Chairman of the committee. The Chairman remarked that in consequence of the absence of the Mayor through unforeseen circumstances he had asked him to attend and fill his place. He was to express the Mayor’s regret at his absence, and say that he felt interested in the formation of such a club, and that he trusted it might prosper. For himself (the Town Clerk) he commended the formation of the club and remarked that it would do a lot of good by increasing their acquaintance with such subjects as painting, photography, botany, geology, zoology, and other subjects, by their visits to the country, as well as giving pleasure by the pursuit of a healthy occupation.

 

During the evening Mr J Tyrrell explained the objects and aims of the club. He had felt for a long while that such a thing ought to be formed. One day Mr Alderman Hunt came to him and started the subject, which he welcomed., feeling it the right and proper thing. He consulted a number of gentlemen, including some of those forming the present committee, with the result that the club was started. They had had several meetings, and had drawn up rules, a few of which he would read. The constitution and purpose of the club were to encourage and develop the fine arts, such as painting, sketching, photography, woodcarving, music, literature and kindred subjects in the town and neighbourhood of Ilkeston, and to bring together all who were interested in such subjects for their mutual benefit and improvement by means of periodical meetings of the members. The club would consist of president, vice-presidents, patrons and ordinary members. The officers would be elected annually. The committee consisted of six members of a representative character, including three members of the Town Council. The annual subscription to ordinary members was 2s. 6d. A good number of vice-presidents was desired; the subscription for that office was 10s. 6d. The meetings would be held monthly – probably oftener – at which the various specimens of work would be submitted for criticism and mutual help. Arrangements had been made for the reading of papers on various subjects during the winter months, to be followed by discussion. At intervals, ‘socials’ would be held, the aim being to combine work with pleasure. A public exhibition of members’ work would be held once each year and would probably take place in the Autumn.

 

The area of membership of the club was six miles’ radius of Ilkeston: vice-presidents may live any distance away (laughter) patrons as well. Ladies were invited to become members, and bring needlework, sketches in black and white and so forth. He supposed photography would probably represent the biggest class. They would go out in parties and photograph objects and exhibit them at their monthly meetings. There were some skilled members in this branch who would readily help those who were not so advanced in it. Then in regard to music; why should not the club become a good musical centre? There was a good number of musical people in Ilkeston. With respect to literature, they might have a good dramatic society. He knew one or two of the members who were very good at that. They wanted to establish the club on a very broad basis, and he hoped it would become the centre of enlightenment in Ilkeston. It was non-political and non-sectarian so they could all meet on common ground. (Hear, hear.)

 

In Derby and Nottingham they had such clubs. They were big places, but Ilkeston was the “Queen of the Valley” and why should they be behind anybody else? (Laughter.) In Derby and Nottingham the Corporation took the matter in hand. But they did not want that, they wanted to help themselves. But they wanted the Corporation to help them in any little way, the same as they had that night. Some day, before long, he hoped they would have a room of their own. At present they would meet at the Church Institute, but he was afraid the room there would not be large enough. Already they had a membership of fifty, a sign that such a club was needed; and he hoped there would be a good number more joining them (Applause.)

 

During the evening, musical and vocal items were rendered. Mr Cawthorne played a piano solo “La Gazelle”, Mr Mackenzie sang “Nita Gitana”, Mr T F Rose “Lucky Jim”, Mr Harris “Dreams”, Mr Timmins “The sentry song” (Iolanthe), and Miss G Barker contributed a violin solo “Nell Gwynne Dances” in her well known skilful manner, and was most tastefully accompanied on the piano by Miss Armstead. Mr Cawthorne and Miss Wheatley also rendered capital service as accompaniments to the vocal items. Refreshments were provided during an interval, following which an entertaining lantern exhibition, describing a cycle and photographic trip to the Peak of Derbyshire , was given by Councillor W Shakespeare and Mr T E Roe. The former put over 80 of his Peak slides through the lantern, the district covered being from Rowsley to Dove Dale, and comprising views of Haddon Hall and Chatsworth (exterior and interior), Eyam, Castleton, Lady Bower Valley, Derwent Hall, Hathersage, Padley Woods, Stoney Middleton, Tideswell, Cressbrook Dale, Matlock, Cromford, Meerbrook Sough, Via Gellia, Winster and views down the Dove from Hartington to Thorpe including Beresford Dale, Narrow Dale, Mill Dale, and Dove Dale, winding up with Ashbourne. Mr Roe’s racy description of the tour was much enjoyed.