Venue to be confirmed

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

An exclusive visit to the Sainsbury Centre, UEA, Norwich to included access to the Crescent Wing of the building with its beautiful light.

There is also access to the museum and to the current exhibition 'Deep Fake'.

The museum has a café and a restaurant and outside the world famous Norman Foster building there is the sculptor park which includes some recent artworks.

We have agreed to pay the museum £5 per head and there is in addition the usual £1 to cover NDPS administration costs.

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

A visit to Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum, Flixton

The Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum is a museum collection of aircraft and aviation-related artefacts, located near the former RAF Bungay airfield in Flixton in the north of the English county of Suffolk.

Entry to the Museum is free but donations are requested.

Please note this Tom's Tour in being held on a Saturday due to the restricted opening times operated by the Museum.

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

A visit to the International Boatbuilding Training College Lowestoft.
(their website: www.ibtc.co.uk/)

Situated in the coastal town of Lowestoft, perched on the edge of The Broads the IBTC is ideally placed to promote the craft of boatbuilding. The college sits on the northern shore of Lake Lothing, the tidal reach of the river Waveney, depicted in Ted Frost’s book “From Tree To Sea”, which chronicles the building of a wooden steam fishing boat.

An award-winning college, IBTC offers a variety of boatbuilding/maintenance and woodworking courses suitable for both those looking for a career in the industry as well as individuals wanting to develop existing interests and skills or develop new ones.

A £5 DONATION PER PERSON HAS BEEN AGREED.

Note the change of date to THURSDAY 15 FEBRUARY - the request of the venue

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

An exclusive visit to the workshop of the North Norfolk Railway at Weybourne Station

 An opportunity to photograph static machinery and locomotives in the sheds and yards.

 Please make sure that you wear suitable footwear as areas are uneven and likely to be quite slippery. The visit will be accompanied by Mr Laurie Ling, who is Volunteer and Stations Coordinator at North Norfolk Railway.

The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) – also known as the "Poppy Line" – is a five and a quarter mile (8.4 km) heritage steam railway running between the towns of Sheringham and Holt. The North Norfolk Railway is owned and operated as a private company originally called Central Norfolk Enterprises Limited. The line once formed part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway's Melton Constable to Cromer Beach branch line. The first section, from Melton to Holt, was opened on 1 October 1884. After a suspension of work, the Holt to Cromer section of line was completed by direct labour and opened on 16 June 1887.

 We have agreed to pay £10 per head - please bring cash with you.

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

Due to problems outside our control at the propopsed venue the January Tom’s Tour has been postponed for the timebeing. We hope to be able to re-arrange something on 27th January so watch this space.

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

This is a Tom’s Tour with a difference - NO CAMERAS ARE PERMITTED IN SIDE THE EXHIBITION…!

This is an exclusive opportunity for NDPS members to view the stunning exhibition taken between 1948 and 1961, of husband and wife Walter and Rita Nurnberg who photographed the factories of Norwich and their workers.

The Society has negotiated group rates for the visit which must be paid by TUESDAY 12th December. Please bring your payment along to the regular meeting. Card payments please…!

Adults: £6.65

Concession: £6.30 (over 65s, students and disabled people) Disabled people can bring a companion in free.

Please meet at the entrance to the Castle Museum by 10:00am as we need to enter as a group being led by Tom.

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

An exclusive visit for NDPS members to Dragon Hall, King Street, Norwich.

Dragon Hall is a Grade-1 listed medieval merchant's trading hall located in King Street, Norwich, close to the river Wensum, and since 2018 has been home to the National Centre for Writing. It is thought to be unique in being the only such trading hall in Northern Europe to be owned by one man.

Because this is the home of the National Centre for Writing some areas are out of bounds, but this visit has been arranged through the Heritage Volunteers and our guide will be Linda Bradfield.

This is a large building so tripods are allowed. Remember, Dragon Hall is a 15th Century Medieval building so no heating, and in November it may be cool.

Venue to be confirmed

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

Tom’s first tour of the autumn season takes us to the East Anglian Transport Museum where you can see a unique project; the creation of a museum of street transport designed to show the development of mechanical transport over the best part of a century. The essence of transport is movement, so they have built a living museum where vehicles of yesteryear can be seen in action, where half-forgotten sounds of the past are brought back to life.

Carlton Colville has one of the widest ranges of preserved vehicles of any museum in the UK.

Admission to the Museum costs £10 for adults (payable at the entrance)

About Tom’s Tours

Tom (Chairman of NDPS) regularly organises (at least once a month) shoots at locations that are of interest to photographers but in addition are often difficult to successfully capture either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access as they are not normally open to the general public or because in normal circumstances photography is not allowed

Nowhere else in the city can you experience such memorable views of Norwich. Climb 280 steps up a spiral staircase to the top of the tower and find yourself surrounded by a 360 degree view of the historic and beautiful city. Spot iconic local landmarks on the skyline. But that’s not all; on your way up the tower stop off to catch your breath at the crossing balcony and view the transept and nave from great heights.

This is a unique opportunity for just FOUR members of the Society to visit to the interior of Happisburgh Lighthouse. Because the lighthouse is privately owned and managed there is a fee of £10 per attendee which will be collected on the day. Our volunteer guide is Colin.

We will have the opportunity to photograph inside the tower of the lighthouse and climb up the internal steps and ladder to the lantern.

96 stone steps wind up the inside of the perimeter wall to the service room directly below the light. It is a strenuous climb with camera gear so you need to be fit and healthy

In olden days this room was used to store oil and other equipment which was winched up from the bottom of the Lighthouse. The service room is now home to a light sensitive cell, a type of ‘trip switch’ which activates the lamp as conditions darken outside; not only at night but during stormy and foggy weather as well.
From the service room a short trip up a few stairs leads to the lamp room itself where the main 500 watt sits within a large ‘optic’ of prisms for refraction and magnification of the light.

NDPS has been given exclusive access to the Winter Gardens building on the seafront at Great Yarmouth.

Great Yarmouth Winter Gardens is a grade II* listed building in Great Yarmouth

It was built of glass and iron in Torquay over 3 years starting 1878. It was moved to Great Yarmouth in 1904 by barge and rebuilt. It reopened in 1906.

In 2018, it was named among the top ten endangered buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian eras in a survey released by the Victorian Society.

In July 2021 it received a £10 million National Lottert Heritage Fund grant to support its repair and reopening.

This will be a great opportunity to photograph and record an important listed building before restoration work begins. I'm sure we've all seen it from the outside but now is a chance to see inside!

Hard hats, high vis, safety glasses and a health and safety briefing with be given at the start.

Meet at the hoardings on the left hand side of the building with Rachel Daniel, Partnership and Engagement Co-ordinator.

Please note - No wheelchair access! and No toilets..!

This month’s Tom’s Tour is a visit to the Octagon Chapel is a Unitarian Chapel located in Colegate in Norwich.

Friday 17 March, 2023, 10am to 12 noon.

The chapel is a grade II* listed building. Completed in 1756 by the architect Thomas Ivory, it is perfectly octagonal, and a fine example of English Neo-Palladian architecture.

Originally built as a Presbyterian Chapel, the building now serves the Unitarian Community. William Taylor, R. H. Mottram, John Taylor and Susannah Taylor, Samuel Bourn and Harriet Martineau and Peter Finch Martineau are all associated with the Chapel.

Established in 1804, Cromer Lifeboat Station has been awarded 56 medals for gallantry during its remarkable history. Today the station operates both a Tamar and a D class lifeboat, and celebrates the heroic Coxswain Henry Blogg.

The Cromer all weather lifeboat generally launches for exercises from the end of the pier on Sunday morning at about half past nine.

WEATHER AND CREW PERMITTING..!

(The inshore lifeboat exercises during the week on Wednesday evening)

We will make individual donations of £5 to the RNLI and the usual £1 to NDPS to help with insurance cover.

Don't be late. We will go to the launch building at the end of the pier and stand in the upper viewing gallery and look down on the launch (I'm told this can be a dramatic view}. After a period of practice at sea the lifeboat returns.

The business was established in 1959 and was run as a family-operated yard by Anne and Tim Whelpton. For over 50 years, they delighted customers with their attention to detail, great yachts and friendly welcome, with many coming back for more year after year.

At the end of 2015 after 58 years of running the yard, Anne handed over the business to Andy & Annie Hamilton who have been customers and friends of Eastwood Whelpton for many years.

Eastwood Whelpton have agreed that NDPS can photograph

1. Inside their work sheds;

2. Inside their storage sheds (watch out for the white barn owl);

3. Their outside storage areas; and

4. Any boats they may have on the water.

This is a working boatyard and we will be given a short talk at the start indicating what we can and cannot do and where we can go.

Many members will know this beautiful Broadland area. Beyond the yard is Upton Dyke with a footpath leading to Upton grazing marshes, views of old windmills, alder carr, reedbeds and wide views of the Bure. This circular path is about four and a half miles long.

St Peter Mancroft is a parish church in the in the centre of Norwich.

After the two cathedrals, it is the largest church in Norwich built between 1430 and 1455. It stands on a slightly elevated position, next to the marketplace.

There are many points of interest in the building, and we have secured access to the organ loft, the bell ringing chamber and the rooms behind the reredos.

The event has been organised for an evening visit because at this time of the year, just before Christmas the views in and from the church should be not only colourful but also could present some photographic problems.

This is a very big building so tripods are allowed. Be aware that the organ and bell ringing areas are accessed by stairs and, of course, are well above ground level!

PLEASE NOTE - There will be a safety briefing before the event commences. Members will be required to sign to confirm they have understood the safety arrangements for the shoot and that they are physically fit enough to visit the areas above ground level.

About Tom’s Tours

The regular shoots at both unique and interesting locations organised by Tom Watson have proved to be such a successful addition to the annual programme of events that they have become widely referred to amongst members of the Society as ‘Tom’s Tours’.

About once a month Tom organises shoots at East Anglian locations that are of interest to photographers where often it is difficult to successfully capture good images. Generally this is either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access or it might be because the venue is open to the general public. In other cases it is because photography is not normally allowed inside the venue during normal opening times.

Past trips have have proved popular and include:

• Historical buildings in Norwich, such as the Cathedrals, the Avia Marble Hall, and Dragon Hall (similar visits have also been made to Cambridge and Ely)

• The hidden Streets under the City of Norwich

• Jarrold’s Print Museum.

• Traditional Morris Dancing at dawn on 1st May at various locations around Norwich

• Norwich Puppet Theatre

• Local heritage Steam Railways and Museums

• Norwich Aviation Museum

• Street Photography around Norwich, Cambridge and Ely

Salt Glass is a studio, gallery and course provider in Norwich run by artists from the Royal College of Art & Slade School, UCL. Creating design ware and bespoke commissions they use traditional processes from fusing, casting, glass blowing.

This is a very small factory which, because of the nature of the articles produced could present some dangers. Max, the owner, will give a short safety talk at the start and will mark on the floor areas which are 'no go areas'.

The absolute top number of photographers is 6 because of the confined space.

At the moment these studios are working with Norwich Castle Museum to produce copies of glass artifacts found on the wreck of the Gloucester (see right). These will be found later in the museum display and in the shop!

Muckleburgh Military Collection is one of the largest privately owned military museums in
the United Kingdom.
The Muckleburgh Military Collection is sited on the former Royal Artillery Anti-Aircraft training camp at Weybourne on the North Norfolk coast. It was opened to the public in 1988 and is one of the largest privately owned military Museum in the United Kingdom
Most of its extensive range of tanks and armoured cars are maintained in working condition. Exhibits include artillery, machine guns and missiles in addition to a fine collection of ships and land warfare models The Museum incorporates the Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry collection of uniforms, weapons, photographs and documents, as well as RAF Reconnaissance and Air Sea Rescue and Marine Craft exhibits

Normal Admission Charges apply.

The Lydia Eva ‘YH89’ is moored on the South Quay, opposite Great Yarmouth Town Hall. NDPS members have been offered exclusive access to the boat for a donation of £10 each payable upon arrival to the Trust

The world's last surviving steam-powered herring drifter steamed back to Great Yarmouth for the first time, in many years, on Saturday 15th May 2010.

Steam drifters once filled the harbours as they worked down from Scotland following the Herring. Lydia Eva was, unusually, also capable of trawling outside the herring season.

Built in 1930 and based in Great Yarmouth, Lydia Eva fished along the East Coast and North Sea for nine years. The Royal Air Force bought her in 1939, using her in a variety of roles, until she was laid up in 1969. She was acquired by the Maritime Trust in 1971/2 and restored as a floating museum in Great Yarmouth.

On arrival if you speak to the people on board you may be lucky enough to park on the quayside next to the ship otherwise you will need to park elsewhere on Hall Quay.

The Lydia Eva and Mincarlo Charitable Trust aims to restore, preserve and maintain its two historic fishing vessels, the 'Lydia Eva' YH89 and the 'Mincarlo' LT412 as floating museums, open to the public to interpret the social history of Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, together with the story of the vessels themselves.

Join Tom on his latest tour to the Churuch of St.Agnes at Cawston

St Agnes Church, Cawston, is one of the most beautiful and exciting historic churches in Norfolk. Thousands of visitors are drawn to Cawston each year to see the superb 15th-century hammer beam angel roof, and the glorious late medieval painted screen.

The church was built by Michael de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, in the early years of the 14th century. The tower is stunning, standing almost 120 feet high.

Cawston's angel roof is one of the finest in East Anglia, a stunning example of medieval craftsmanship. It is steeply pitched, to a single hammer-beam design, The beams are adorned with huge wooden figures of angels, standing over 6 feet high. Unusually, the angels do not project at a diagonal from the beam ends but stand completely upright on the beams.

One of the most intriguing roof angels stands eight feet high and wears a costume made of feathers from head to toe. Actors in medieval mystery plays often wore feather costumes to portray angels, so the symbolism would have been obvious to a medieval audience. Some of the angels bear traces of their original paint.

To capture these astonishing works of art you will need a solid tripod and a good zoom lens. Be prepared to be surprised at the remnants of colour left on these angels when viewed on screen!

We have agreed with the parish priest that everyone will donate at least £5 to the church and that if pictures are posted on social media they are tagged @cawstonparish church.

We hope to gain access to the gallery at the back of the church to obtain a different view - more information later.

The Parish Priest used to be a manger of a branch of Jessops and he also suggests macro photography for the lower areas of the church. There's something for everyone here!

Join Tom on his latest tour to Fairhaven Woodland and Water Gardens.

Award winning organic garden open to the public all year round. 130 acres of cultivated, wild and natural plantings, a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Nearly 4 miles of woodland pathways to explore and encourage the child within.

Complete with stunning views over their private Broad which is bound to inspire photographers of all abilities.

About Tom’s Tours
The regular shoots at both unique and interesting locations organised by Tom Watson have proved to be such a successful addition to the annual programme of events that they have become widely referred to amongst members of the Society as ‘Tom’s Tours’.

About once a month Tom organises shoots at East Anglian locations that are of interest to photographers where often it is difficult to successfully capture good images. Generally this is either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access or it might be because the venue is open to the general public. In other cases it is because photography is not normally allowed inside the venue during normal opening times.

About Norwich & District Photographic Society
With roots that can be traced back to the middle of the nineteenth century Norwich & District Photographic Society (NDPS) is one of the oldest photographic societies in the country. The annual season has something for everyone being jam-packed with fantastic presentations from accomplished photographers, practical workshops and tutorials, field trips, special interest groups, the usual photographic competitions and much more...

Fairhaven Gardens, South Walsham

Details to follow later

About Tom’s Tours
The regular shoots at both unique and interesting locations organised by Tom Watson have proved to be such a successful addition to the annual programme of events that they have become widely referred to amongst members of the Society as ‘Tom’s Tours’.

About once a month Tom organises shoots at East Anglian locations that are of interest to photographers where often it is difficult to successfully capture good images. Generally this is either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access or it might be because the venue is open to the general public. In other cases it is because photography is not normally allowed inside the venue during normal opening times.

Radar Museum at Neatishead

The Royal Air Force Air Defence Radar Museum is a museum on the site of the former Royal Air Force radar and control base RAF Neatishead, close to the village of Horning in Norfolk, England.

The museum's exhibitions cover the history of air defence in the United Kingdom, in particular the development of radar from the 1930's until the end of the Cold War. The museum includes a complete Cold War-era Operations Room from which the air defence of Britain was conducted for several decades, as well as many examples of original radar and communications equipment, and an exhibit of a Royal Observer Corps Nuclear Reporting Post. There is also a gallery devoted to the history of the nearby RAF Coltishall.

The Museum is largely staffed by volunteers, many of whom served previously in the RAF.

The Museum is a registered charity and admission fees apply that have to be paid upon entry:

About Tom’s Tours
The regular shoots at both unique and interesting locations organised by Tom Watson have proved to be such a successful addition to the annual programme of events that they have become widely referred to amongst members of the Society as ‘Tom’s Tours’.

About once a month Tom organises shoots at East Anglian locations that are of interest to photographers where often it is difficult to successfully capture good images. Generally this is either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access or it might be because the venue is open to the general public. In other cases it is because photography is not normally allowed inside the venue during normal opening times.

The Sky Sports Racing race day is always a highly anticipated event at Fakenham racecourse and this year will be no different. With an exhilarating race card planned and the very best in hospitality on offer, there’s no other place to be…!.

A day's racing is an exciting day out for people of all ages and from all walks of life. Fakenham Racecourse prides itself on its friendly, casual atmosphere and it has no formal dress code. Above all it offers some good photographic opportunities.

First race is at 1:38pm with the last race at 4:33pm

Please note there are entrance charges to be paid to enter the racecourse

About Tom’s Tours
The regular shoots at both unique and interesting locations organised by Tom Watson have proved to be such a successful addition to the annual programme of events that they have become widely referred to amongst members of the Society as ‘Tom’s Tours’.

About once a month Tom organises shoots at East Anglian locations that are of interest to photographers where often it is difficult to successfully capture good images. Generally this is either because getting good images is not possible without exclusive access or it might be because the venue is open to the general public. In other cases it is because photography is not normally allowed inside the venue during normal opening times.

THIS MEETING AT FAKENHAM RACECOURSE HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Please note Tom’s Tours have been suspended whilst the Government’s covid restrictions remain in place. Rest assured Tom is working on a programme of events for the coming weeks inline with the Government’s Covid Roadmap.

A key date in the Norfolk calendar, thousands of people stream through the gates to witness the thunder of steeds bearing down on the finish line and the roar of the crowds interspersed with the popping of corks and the rumble of conversation as visitors enjoy the day. One of the most exciting horse racing fixtures, the all-important Ladies Day fashion at Fakenham is as dramatic as the live horse racing. Chic outfits and beautiful Ladies Day hats will be in abundance as thousands of racegoers put their best Jimmy Choo forward to impress.

The resumption of the Tom's Tours will be at at East Wretham Heath. Although this is a nature reserve owned by Norfolk Wildlife Trust this is NOT a Wildlife and Nature shoot and has been chosen because the site offers a wide variety of opportunities for photographers and with its wide open spaces is an ideal location whilst social distancing is still in force.

Parts of the site were ploughed during the Second World War and subsequently farmed, but careful management and controlled grazing, in particular by the site’s numerous rabbits, have restored the open heath habitat. Today, the short, close-cropped grassland is home to many rare species of plant and insect, as well as scarce breeding birds including woodlark and redstart; stone curlews are also seen occasionally.

Among the site’s other interesting features are its meres. Two of these, Langmere and Ringmere, have fluctuating water levels fed by rising ground water and sometimes dry up altogether. A hide overlooks Langmere, with additional viewing shelters at Fenmere and Ringmere; numerous waterbirds can be found on these during higher water levels (the site can be dry for years) with migrating wading birds, ducks and geese in spring and autumn, as well as many interesting aquatic invertebrates. As well as rabbits, the reserve also supports a number of other mammals including stoats and roe and muntjac deer.

Tom’s Tours and the Nature and Wildlife Group are joining forces to re-organise the shoot at the Ted Ellis Nature Reserve at Wheatfen that had to be cancelled back in September due to the covid-restrictions that imposed at that time by the UK Government.
Located on the banks of the River Yare, around eight miles southeast of Norwich, the Ted Ellis Nature Reserve is one of the most important parts of the Norfolk Broads. Encompassing the last remaining tidal marshes and carrs on the River Yare, the wild and remote area features reed beds, open fen, alder, and willow woodlands. There are also two small broads and a specially designed nature trail in the reserve.

Thought by some experts to be as environmentally important as Mount Everest and the giant redwood forests of America, the Ted Ellis Nature Reserve is a fantastic place for an afternoon stroll.

With Norfolk placed in Tier 2 from 2nd December the Society has updated its Covid Guidance & Procedures to ensure that all events/shoots are covid secure

Originally it had been planned that we should spend a day in the Autumn at the Botanical Gardens in Cambridge. Alas due to the current Covid-19 restrictions it has been decided that this is not practical.
We have there decided to go somewhere nearer to home - East Ruston Old Vicarage Garden.

East Ruston Old Vicarage Gardens is a notable privately owned garden in East Ruston near the Norfolk Coast.

The gardens are open from 12.00 to 5.30pm so members can stay longer than the planned shoot if they wish. There is however an admission charge to pay to access the gardens - Adult £10

To attend the offical NDPS shoot members must have a vaid booking confirmation