ADAPS was formed in 1938, largely on the initiative of local businessman Frank
Pickford who, after talking to friends and others with a common interest in
photography, took the first steps in the club's formation.
A meeting was held in the Atherton Church House on Thursday April 7th 1938 to
discuss the formation of a photographic society. The chief functions of the
society were to be mutual co-operation help and education in all aspects of
photography. From this meeting a fledgling society was formed, its first President
being Mr.T. Lee Syms, a well-known professional photographer from Tyldesley
and Honorary Fellow and past President of the Royal Photographic Society, Mr.E.0.Staveley
vice-president, and Mr Frank Pickford, Secretary.
Pickford didn't lose much time after this inaugural meeting, as the first proper
meeting of the society was held a mere fortnight later, on the 21st April 1938,
again in the Church House. Unfortunately Mr. T. Lee Syms, who was also Vice
President of the Lancashire & Cheshire Photographic Union, died in October 1938
and did not live to see the society which he had worked so hard helping to create
become affiliated to the L&CPU in January 1939.
The first Annual Exhibition of the society was held in
Hesketh Fletcher School in May 1939 and it was reported that large numbers of
the public came to view the prints and slides, which were judged by Mr.F.G.Curson
of Allied Newspapers, Manchester. There were 109 prints and 300 slides in both
colour and monochrome, all from the 40 society members.
Shortly after its formation the society moved from Church House to a tackroom
over the stables at the rear of the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Market Street, Atherton.
A great deal of work was done by members over the years to make the room habitable,
and the society remained in these premises very successfully until 1957, when
it moved to its present home, a building formerly owned by Atherton Silver Brass
Band.
With the willing help of all members, the society went
from strength to strength enjoying the new freedom that their own premises
brought.
In 1972 it was decided to extend the clubroom to cover the yard at the side,
this would provide indoor toilet facilities, a darkroom, kitchen, and more
working area. Many more improvements were made, such as a serving-hatch from
the kitchen to the main lecture room and electrical heating installed. The
society now had premises of which it could be justly proud.
Today, the society strives to live up to the aspirations of its founders by
sharing with others the joy of photography in all its forms.
(with thanks to members Harry Gladson and Len Hudson)
T.
Lee Syms, 1938
