1. Introduction
2. What has happened in the SE region since the last newsletter
3. News in the region
4. Finalised events – click to look at details and book
5. Planned events for 2025
6. A flavour of events for the future
1. Introduction
Welcome to this August edition of our newsletter. The summer is flying by, and much is changing in the RPS, in my view positively.
2. What has happened in the SE region since the last newsletter
There is only one event to report on this time, and I am pleased to say it was a big success. Once again Paul Stillman organised a visit to the British Wildlife Centre. This was arranged so we had unique access, with no one else visiting that day. The weather was excellent and with the visit stretching into the evening, the light was also great. We plan to do this trip again in 2026. It is very good value. Check out the pictures in ISSUU.
3. News in the region
The new CEO, Victoria Humphries, attended the last meeting for all the Regional Organisers and Special Interest Group. She continued to impress and confirmed that by the time you read this RPS house will have been vacated. The staff and archive are relocating to a building close by, that has no meeting rooms or lecture facilities.
Distinction assessments will be held at Smethwick Photographic Society in Birmingham until Xmas. There will be new frameworks for the ARPS and FRPS distinctions in January 2026. The LRPS is unaffected.
4. Finalised events – click to look at details and book
As always, things change and the Broadstairs Folk Week Click event organised for Friday, 8th August has been cancelled due to lack of a leader.
17/08/2025
Banger racing at Smallfield Raceway, Horley
This a click event, meeting outside the venue before going in to watch Banger racing. OAPs are a very reasonable £7 and adults £15. A few tickets left.
21/09/2025
Margate high water click event
This is a street photography and coastal photography day in Margate meeting outside the famous Turner Contemporary. A few tickets left.
5. Planned events for 2025
October 2025
Canterbury tour with guide (no link yet)
This is a tour of historic Canterbury with a member of the RPS SE committee who is also a Canterbury City guide. The date is likely to be Sunday 12th October starting mid-afternoon so we can get some evening light.
6. A flavour of events for the future. These are yet to be finalised and sorted. (This is a short list for further exploration)
26/10/2025
Bewl Water TWT
This part of the TWT programme. The date will be announced in the next 10 days
16/11/2025
Click event: Sunset at Reculver
The ruins and sea are very photogenic especially at high tide and with a long exposure
14/12/2025
Xmas Market click event
This is a click event at a venue to be decided.
Jan 26
Click event: St Pancras, London Street Photography
The gentrification around St Pancras provides endless opportunities for street photography. There is no fee, just meet in a café and spend the day with likeminded people.
Feb 26
LRPS distinction online advisory day
We are holding another LRPS advisory day in February 2026 with David Jordan.
Apr 26
Click event: Hole Park (Bluebells)
Hole Park Estate is situated between the pretty Kent villages of Benenden and Rolvenden and a short distance from the historic Cinque Port town of Tenterden in a beautiful area of the High Weald National Landscape (formerly AONB)
2026
Click event: Spa Valley Railway
Catch a steam train and photograph the engine and scenery
2026
Click event: Samphire Hoe
Orchids are the main attraction on this outcrop generated from spoil from the Channel Tunnel
2026
Click event: Riverside Country Park
Another beautiful parkland that we may focus on for the Autumn
2026
Click event: Whitsable
Oyster beds, the harbour and town are all very photogenic. Have you seen Whitstable Pearl on TV?
Early July 2026
British Wildlife Centre
Based at the British Wildlife Centre, Lingfield. A great opportunity to photograph native British wild animals up close. The price is very competitive, as it is only for this group, making it an excellent opportunity for photographers.
2026
Click event: Sissinghurst Gardens
One of the most well known gardens in Kent
2026
Tour of Biggin Hill Museum
Biggin Hill offer tours around their museum/workshop where there are numbers of Spitfires actively being worked on. This is an event where we meet up at the venue after having bought your own tickets
I am aiming to resurrect a section to welcome new members in the next issue.
If you have any ideas for the region or want to help, please contact me at southeast@rps.org.
John Gough, RPS SE Regional Organiser
