Documentary Photography Archive: THE LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE PHOTOGRAPHIC UNION

The archive consists of photographs, cabinet prints, postcards, cartes de visite, lantern slides, equipment and books.

The Lancashire and Cheshire Photographic Union was the idea of William Tansley (founder & secretary of Everton Camera Club) who wrote to every known photographic club in Cheshire and Lancashire in June of 1905 suggesting the formation of a federation.

On the 9th of October 1905 delegates from the Cheshire and Lancashire photographic societies met at the rooms of the Liverpool Amateur Photographic Association at Eberle Street for the purpose of agreeing to form a federation of societies, and drawing up a constitution. A month later, on the 4th of November 1905 the representatives of twenty-eight societies witnessed Thurston Holland (MRCS., FRPS., president of CAPA.) sign the charter of the federation's first constitution at the rooms of the Manchester Amateur Photographic Society.

The organisation had about 3000 members, including some 70 lecturers, becoming the largest organisation of photographic societies in the world within months. Its aims and objectives were to foster and encourage the advancement of the science and practice of the art of photography; to provide means for the mutual benefit and protection of the federated societies and their members and to provide a link with the Royal Photographic Society.

The Second World War affected the society more than the first, and a few societies ceased to exist. By the late 1950's and 1960's member societies numbered 120. Today the LCPU's objectives remain the same, except that the link is now with the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain. There are currently 102 member societies with a total membership of around 3,500 photographers.

The following activities are performed jointly between the LCPU, the federated societies and the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain:

* arranging for the interchange of judges, lecturers, print and transparency portfolios organising photographic competitions, exhibitions and meetings

* maintaining panels of judges for competitions and exhibitions,

* presenting awards and certificates when appropriate

* maintaining a panel of lecturers.

Administrative history:

The area covered by the LCPU has changed over the years; apart from Lancashire and Cheshire the Union's boundaries have at one time included the counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, Flint, Denbeigh and Caernarvon. The Northern Ireland societies were at one time members until the formation of their own federation. Part of Staffordshire was incorporated in the 1920's with the membership of Leek P.S. and Newcastle (Staffs.) & District C.C. Todmorden P.S. was also included, but like others seceded for geographical reasons.