This year’s annual ‘Battle’ between Sidmouth Photographic Club and Torbay Photographic Society took place on Wednesday 25th October with judge John Tilsley (from Dorchester Camera Club) providing an engaging and insightful critique.

A dozen Torbay members joined SPC at All Saints’ Church Hall and were treated to an excellent evening viewing a variety of imaginative and technically accomplished images. At the end of the first half’s Print judging (15 prints per club) Sidmouth were winning by 270 points to Torbay's 269, making it a very close contest going into the break. Following a pause to socialise and enjoy an extensive buffet provided by members of the host club, the Digital Image judging commenced (also 15 images per club). During a tense second half, Sidmouth began to pull away and finished with 283 points to Torbay's 260 ... which gave a total of 553 to Sidmouth and 529 to Torbay - a resounding victory!

Sidmouth’s 24-point lead was an extremely pleasing result to this light-hearted, but hotly contested competition - it follows a two-point Battle defeat last year and highlights the quality and improvement of members’ work. Six images from Sidmouth were individually awarded the maximum 20 points by John.

External Competition Secretary Karen Kubran LRPS thanked all who attended and helped to make the night such a success, with a special mention to the SPC image selection team. She said: “These events always bring out the best in our club and it's a joy to work with everyone to pull it all together. It’s a hard-fought competition against Torbay - a very highly regarded club."

Gracious in defeat, Torbay commented: "John was a superb judge and we all collectively agreed with everything he said. The standard of Sidmouth’s images was extremely high and you were deserved winners."

The images for this page were selected from Sidmouth’s submission to the competition.

More information about the Club’s programme of weekly meetings and activities can be found at www.sidmouthphotoclub.org. New members are always welcome and can enjoy ‘taster’ sessions (£2) before committing to membership.