Croydon Camera Club
Croydon Camera Club

Croydon Camera Club History: 1890-2000

Club Room eviction
Told to go

But for 1933 it was the circulating portfolio that was the source of comment and we shall read more about this later. Council decided the Dark Room should be better equipped and extra dishes and measures were ordered: also that chairs and the Lino of the Club Room should be renovated This had only just been done when on 20th December 1932 the Secretary received a letter from Phoenix Assurance to the effect that the rooms occupied by the Club were required for the company and that formal notice to terminate the tenancy as from 25th March 1933 was given. So after 29 years at 128a George Street the Club was going to have to find new premises.

John Keane reported he had made several inquiries regarding suitable premises and had also seen the building being erected for Mr Spackman (referred to in his letter of February 1931). He had noticed that an Amateur Cine Society (not named) was being formed and suggested that possibly an arrangement could be made with them to share premises. He was authorised to continue investigations and when he reported to Council on 9th January 1933 it was to say he had met the President of the Amateur Film Society who said there was no chance of sharing premises with us.

Too Expensive

Stewart Klitz had a large room adjoining new premises used for auctions and let at £80 p.a. inclusive. There were two small rooms at one end. it was agreed Council would inspect. Other rooms seen had been found unsuitable. It was known that the Croydon School of Fencing was looking for suitable accommodation and there was a possibility of the two clubs working together with the Fencing Society paying up to £50 p.a. rent. It was agreed that Mr Klitz's accommodation offered the best arrangement but clarification of the accommodation needed by the School of Fencing was to be sought. A week later this had been obtained and "certain difficulties had arisen". These would necessitate alterations to the rooms offered by Mr Klitz to a cost of £70 and that in all the Club expenses would amount to £130 pa. How these were calculated is not revealed but on the basis of the costs prepared by Stephen Whitaker (a Chartered Surveyor) all deals for Mr Klitz's rooms were abandoned and the search resumed to the extent that an advertisement was agreed to be placed in the Croydon Advertiser for suitable rooms - a motion passed five votes to three against.

Success! The Studio

No success forthcoming the letter of C. S. Spackman was dusted down and Council agreed that if his offer still stood the Club would accept a tenancy of the Studio, 1 Edridge Road. (It must be assumed by now that the building was ready for occupation). A week before the AGM Mr Spackman attended the Council meeting to answer the many questions arising from the Club who for so many years had been their own masters of accommodation open from 8am to 12pm. Now they were to be confined to 6pm to 12pm but still would meet on a Wednesday. A rummage sale and a week for a House Exhibition were allowed under the terms of £50 pa inclusive but the Annual Exhibition must be held during school holidays.

The Club must insure all its property and the lantern stand and Presidential Chair re-polished and the chair re-upholstered. No notice was permitted outside the building to say we met there. The conditions were accepted and would be put before the AGM on 15th February 1933, which received Council's recommendation but took no vote, it seemingly being accepted as fait accompli.