In April 1982, former students on the Photographic Night School course at Dartmouth High School asked the Principal if they could form a camera society and use the School’s name. Permission was granted and the society was formed under the title of Dartmouth Photographic Society on the 20th April 1982. The society met on the high School premises and was able to use the photographic facilities. Membership was gradually built up through advertising in local shops and papers. Exhibitions of members work were held at local libraries to stimulate further interest in the society.
In march 1984, the society joined the midlands counties photographic federation which gave access to lecturers, competition judges, photographic exhibitions and the opportunity to have print battles with other local societies.
As the society continued to grow it was decided to change the name from Dartmouth Photographic Society to the Great Barr Photographic Society. In march 1989, the newly renamed society relocated to a base at the RSPB in Tanhouse Avenue, Great Barr which enabled the society to open during school holidays.
When the RSPB began a rebuilding project in 2000, the Society had to relocate, firstly to a temporary base at the Beaufort Arms Pub on old Walsall Road, and then to a home at the United Reform Church at the junction of Hamstead Road and Newton Road, Great Barr. In 2009 we had to leave the church because the building was falling into disrepair and our membership was suffering. After a short stay at the Charlemont methodist church on Charlemont Road the club moved to the West Bromwich Community Centre on Gayton Road after nearly 9 years at the Community Centre the club had out grown the centre and had to find a new home.
Over the years our club has grown in both numbers and diversity, we have an inclusive membership who each bring something different to the club giving us a varied photographic range.
Today we meet at the Great Barr Club bang in the middle of Great Barr.
The Great Barr Club
2-4 Queslett Road,
Great Barr,
Birmingham.
B43 6PL