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Going strong since 1923, WPS is a large, welcoming, and lively club that offers plenty of varied photographic activities

- by Sarah Townley

When was the club founded?

Winchester Photographic Society (WPS) is one of the South's most popular and friendly photographic societies, and one of the oldest, having been established in 1923 (thus 2023 was our Centenary Year). We have a wide and varied membership, from absolute beginners to the experienced and advanced.

It all began when Mr Francis Blake Heathcote Wride, a local chemist with a shop in Jewry Street, Winchester, wrote to the Hampshire Chronicle to suggest forming a photographic society in Winchester. The response was instant. A general meeting was arranged and advertised for Saturday 17 November 1923 when 'all photographic workers box camera user upwards', were invited.

Over 40 requests for membership were received before the initial meeting. Mr. Heathcote Wride was appointed as the Hon.Secretary and a small group was formed to decide on the rules and syllabus. The subscription was fixed at 5s. per annum. Affiliation to the Royal Photographic Society was obtained and contact made with other local photographic societies in the area who offered help. The objectives were the 'advancement of photographic interest in the district, by means of frequent meetings for discussion, a series of lectures on photographic topics, exhibitions of members' work, and outings during the summer', statements which hold true to this day.