In 2002 our founder Javid Badr had the idea of setting up Chigwell Camera Club and joined with his colleague John Martin when they worked together for the construction company, Balfour Beatty. They had a common interest in photography and worked to make the Club happen.
The concept of creating a local camera club came about when they took part in a US- based personal and professional development programme (Landmark Education) which ran for several months. Part of the programme advocated the individual and community benefits of setting up and managing an organisation which would improve the quality of life of other people; and Chigwell Camera Club was born.
The first few meetings were at Javid’s home in Chigwell, as they started developing and implementing their initial idea. Javid was the first Chairman and John the Secretary and Treasurer.
The first official Chigwell Camera Club meeting was on 2nd September 2002.
Javid had previous experience of belonging to several Camera Clubs and developed the following as aims or guidelines for Chigwell Camera Club:
" To provide a friendly environment between members for the continued learning and enjoyment of Photography.”
Javid stressed from the beginning that he did not want too many competitions to take place and that they needed to be balanced with the vital learning aspect of the Camera Club.
In the Autumn of 2002 Chigwell Camera Club started meetings at St Winifred's Church Hall in Manor Road, Chigwell. The Club approached the National Lottery and after explaining our Camera Club’s aims were awarded a grant to help with the costs of setting up the club with essential equipment.
Through local advertising and word of mouth membership increased and the Club moved its meetings to Victory Hall on Hainault Road, next door to the Chigwell Library, where they continued to meet for several years. However, following concerns that Victory Hall was to close and be demolished the Club looked for new premises.
A Club member, Sue Williams, was a member of nearby Hainault Baptist Church and the Club moved its location to the Church Hall there, where we still meet.
A few years after he founded Chigwell Camera Club, Javid became seriously ill and the Club honoured his passing with the annual Javid Badr Award (an engraved silver plate awarded to the Club member who is deemed to have done most for the Club, as voted by its members).
Another member, Fergus Maclaine, volunteered to become Chairman and was instrumental in setting up several systems we use in the Club today. Fergus also designed the original club logo, and the Club obtained permission from Chigwell Parish Council to use their crest as the Club logo. Sadly, Fergus also passed away in 2017. In his memory we hold the annual Fergus Maclaine Cup competition.
John Martin then became the Club’s next Chairman and did so for the next 6 years. He was succeeded by Sue Williams until 2023. The Club nearly folded but Richard Poynter offered to be chair and took the reins as the 5th Chairman of Chigwell Camera Club and was re-elected for the 2025/26 period.
The Club new website started in 2025 and the redesigned Club logo included the Chigwell Parish Crest, in recognition of the Club's connections, origins and history.
We remain a small, but friendly and welcoming Camera Club, committed to the original aims of our founders, with some competitions combined with outings and a lot of learning and sharing of knowledge by members and visiting speakers.