OUR STORY
Our History
Haddington Camera Club was founded in 1952 and has been part of the local photographic community for more than seventy years.
SINCE 1952
A club shaped by photography and friendship
Over the decades the club has changed considerably, but its purpose has remained much the same: bringing people together to enjoy photography, learn from one another and share their work.
Founder Members — photograph by Dave Smith.
THE BEGINNING
The founding members
The photograph shows some of the club’s founding members.
Back row, left to right: Duncan Stewart, John Cran (Manager, Boots), Sandy Clyne, Frank Tindal (Planning Officer), Matthew Carlaw MBE (Burgh Chamberlain).
Front row, left to right: Harvey Gardener (Chemist), George Angus, Adam Brown (East Linton), David Smith.
The names were identified from the recollections of long-standing club member Jack Tully-Jackson.
A club outing, around 1958.
CLUB LIFE
Outings in the 1950s
Photography has always been a social activity at Haddington Camera Club as well as a creative one.
This photograph records a club outing from around 1958 — an early glimpse of a tradition that continues through outings, photo walks and practical sessions.
The club rooms in Market Street.
A HOME OF OUR OWN
The Market Street club rooms
On 7 October 1958, the club opened its rooms in Market Street, Haddington.
The photograph shows Alistair Angus, Eddie Reynolds, Eric Groome and Jimmy Buglass in the club rooms.
Having dedicated premises gave members somewhere to meet regularly and take part in practical photography.
A portrait session at 18 Market Street, 9 January 1959.
PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY
An early portrait night
On 9 January 1959, members gathered at 18 Market Street for a portrait session.
Standing, left to right: Jimmy Buglass, John Cran, Alistair Angus, William Hepburn and Harvey Gardiner.
Kneeling: George Johnson and James Dow.
Model: Elisabeth Anderton.
Practical evenings such as this have remained an important part of club life.
1979
The move to Poldrate
The club eventually had to leave its dedicated Market Street premises.
At the AGM on 27 March 1979, members decided to move to Poldrate, and the club has met there ever since.
A committee meeting held online in January 2021.
2020–2021
Keeping the club together
In March 2020, circumstances brought an unexpected break with tradition when weekly meetings could no longer take place at Poldrate.
The club moved online and continued meeting through the remainder of the 2019–20 season and into 2020–21, with presentations, competitions, guest speakers, demonstrations and conversation continuing virtually.
Although the setting was different, the aim was the same: to keep members connected and photography at the heart of club life.
TODAY
More than seventy years of photography
From the founding members of 1952, through the Market Street years and the move to Poldrate, to online meetings during the pandemic, the club has continually adapted while retaining its friendly and practical character.
Today, Haddington Camera Club continues that tradition by welcoming photographers of all levels and encouraging people to enjoy, explore and share photography together.