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Wakefield and West Riding Herald - Saturday 21 March 1891
FORMATION OF A PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY FOR WAKEFIELD AND DISTRICT

Last night a meeting of those gentlemen in the city and district interested in the art of photography was held in a room of the city chambers, Wood street, convened by Mr G F Firth, of Oak Leigh, Eastmoor Road, with a view, if possible, to establish a society in Wakefield. There were present Mr A W Stansfield J.P., Captain Norwood, Mr J R W Eldridge, Mr C H Richardson, Mr H Moorhouse, Dr Wade, Mr Halliwell, junr., Mr Townend, solicitor (Oakenshaw), Mr Webster, (Lofthouse), Mr Henry Morgan, Mr Harry Hall, and Mr Amos Firth,.

At the outset, on the motion of Mr G F Firth, seconded by Mr H HalI, Mr A W Stansfield, was voted to the chair. After some discussion Mr G F Firth proposed that a society called "Wakefield and District Photographic Society'' be formed. Captain Norwood seconded the
motion. He was of opinion there ought to be a Society of that description in Wakefield, and that the word "amateur", as was the case at Leeds, be left out of the title, as professional men often render great assistance to the members. The object of the society was to further
the art of Photography by holding meetings, giving demonstrations in the various processes, and possibly, in a bit, by making periodical excursions into the country and taking the most interesting subjects there. He thought there were a great number of amateur photographers in Wakefield, and they only wanted bringing together in order to make a successful society. The stone wanted to be set arolling, and the result, he believed, would be the establishment of as good a society in Wakefield as in any other town.

The amount to be fixed as the fee for members evoked considerable discussion, and it was finally decided on the motion of Mr Eldridge and seconded by Mr Richardson, that a sum not exceeding 7s.6p for adults and 5s for youths to be charged, subject to reduction if it was found that the society could be satisfactory worked by smaller fees. It was also decided that Ladies be admitted as members of the society on the same terms as gentlemen, the line of demarcation in their ages, as between adults and those under 18 years, giving rise to a little good-humoured jocularity, Mr Eldridge venturing the opinion that all ladies would of course "come in under the age of 18!" (laughter). Mr Eldridge kindly promised the use of his lantern and screen until the society was able to procure its own, and Mr Halliwell also made a similar offer. It was eventually proposed by Dr Wade and seconded by Mr Amos Firth and carried, that a provisional committee, consisting of messrs, Stansfield Norwood, Eldridge, Richardson, Webster, HalIiwelI, & Hall, be formed to make alI preliminary arrangements and submit them for adoption or otherwise at a general meeting of proposed members to be held on Friday night, April 3rd next. Messrs. G Firth and Halliwell jnr., were appointed joint provisional secretaries.