West Cumbria Photo Group originated in 1996, when the now-legendary 'Gang of Four' enthusiasts met for a pub meal to discuss ways of relieving their dissatisfaction with the formal and hierarchical ritual of weekly camera club meetings, where outsiders either award competition marks or show their own work with reference to how it 'had done' in competitions elsewhere. After local consultation, a small, informal, egalitarian group was set up to hold monthly get-togethers on a rolling programme of non-competitive picture assessments, discussions with invited outsiders, and practical trips to local venues. Affiliation to NCPF/PAGB was eventually obtained, to retain contact with the amateur photographic mainstream while pursuing a very different agenda. For example, group entries for 'battles' and 'championships' are chosen democratically - a strategy which has been surprisingly successful both in encouraging members, and in gaining attention for the group.This activity has greatly increased recently, following group affiliation to the PSA.

For two years, the group used a variety of local halls and felt it's way with a handful of converts and a shifting population of people 'having a look', before deciding against it. Then the finances were eased by meeting in our co-ordinators attic, and abandoning regular visits by outsiders, and the group acquired a firmer sense of direction by exploring two distinct outlets for it's work, which continue to be it's main external activities. In ten years, acceptances to national and international salons have grown from a handful, to the remarkable level of over 3000 for this year (2008). Over the same period we have supplied two local hospitals with exhibition prints, starting with 49 along one corridor, and growing to over 400, as the staff have noticed the benefits. The hospitals provide the frames, and the group changes the pictures every few months

Five years ago, the group had outgrown the chairmans attic, and moved to it's current home, the village hall at Camerton, near Workington, a tiny building which barely holds 25 people, a membership limit imposed by general agreement so as to retain a friendly and jointly active atmosphere consistent with the groups founding principles. Some members have joined as relative beginners, and soon found their prints being accepted in salons, and there is a continuing stream of appreciation from the local hospitals, where our pictures are regularly seen by a far greater number of people than visit any photographic salon. Visiting speakers are occasionally brought in, softened up with a fish-and-chip tea amongst the members, and encouraged to discuss, rather than present their work.

To foster personal commitment, four prints for the hospital walls are required as 'annual subscription', and half the members must declare WCPG as their only camera club. Members travel from as much as 40 miles away, and there is a waiting list, but the perceived risk is that expanding the numbers will dilute the unique atmosphere.