Obituary for Stan Walls APAGB

It is with deep regret that I announce the passing of Stan Walls APAGB of South Shields Photographic Society who passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning 11th March 2023 at the age of 95 years young.

Stan became a member of the Society on the 5th December 1955, he was elected to the committee in 1960. Stan worked for Lloyds Bank by profession, so it was no surprise that he was elected to serve as Treasurer which he did from 1964 until 2015, some 51 years, during which time he also held the office of Vice President 1971 to 1975 and President 1976 to 1978 and in recognition of his long service to the society he was awarded Honorary Vice President in 1983. He was also honoured by the Photographic Alliance of Great Britain with APAGB for “Meritorious Service to Photography” which was presented to him by Jane Black ARPS, FPSA, Hon. PAGB at a weekly meeting of the society in October 2000. He was further honoured by the Society in 2002 when Honorary Life Membership was bestowed on him, which is the highest honour the society can award to any of its members. In 2015 his 60-year membership was commemorated with a presentation of engraved plaque to mark the occasion.

He was an active member, taking part in club competitions in his early years of membership having owned 35mm film cameras by Practika, Yashicamat, Microcord, Microflex ½ plate camera, and including a Canon A1 and a Bronica ETRS, a Medium Format roll film camera, producing Lantern Slides and monochrome prints, even the odd colour print from time to time. Not standing in the way of progress, he did dabble a little in digital photography but never became fully involved with it.

His greatest love was ballroom dancing, long before it became fashionable thanks to “Strictly Come Dancing”. He was a credited teacher and a judge and along with his wife Margaret they both travelled up and down the country at weekends attending competitions etc. His other love was snooker, which he enjoyed with visits to a snooker club in South Shields where he was a member.

Sadly, we never saw Stan on the resumption of meetings after the pandemic, his health was beginning to deteriorate just before the “lockdown” and took up residence in a nursing home along with his wife Margaret during the pandemic.

He will always be remembered for his charismatic personality, his humour and most importantly for his friendship.