After a few weeks of attending I decided to become a member and was talked into entering some of my photographs into the final competition of the year. This is yet to be judged and from what I've seen the standard is very high but it will be good to get feedback from an independent judge if nothing else.
The blogmaster from Durham PS does a lot of work with Durham Police Bikewise - http://www.bikewise.org.uk and he invited me along to one of their mini moto events not far from where I live. It was great fun but I didn't have much luck with my photos, those things can't half move fast!! During the two hours I only managed to get one half decent panning shot - shame on me!!
The same guy also asked me to cover a local memorial service on Remembrance Sunday at Pelton Fell Memorial Park also not far from where I live, I felt very privileged to be asked as a young soldier from the village was killed in action in 2010 so I knew his family and members of his regiment would be attending, this also made me a little nervous as poking a camera in peoples faces at times like these I feel can be disrespectful. However, the people attending were lovely, I got to speak to the band and the vicar before the service and they all reassured me that I was very welcome there and they were very pleased that DPS had asked someone to attend and record the event. I did use my long lens quite a bit though so as not to intrude too much.
And..........my icing on the cake - Paws Up have produced calendars for next year to help raise money for the charity and not one but TWO yes TWO of my photos have been chosen. So I am Mr June and Mr October for 2014 :)