Information and discussion on all aspects of British photographic history
Guildford School of Photography
If anyone knows anything about Joy & Ifor Thomas, former photography teachers at Guildford in the 50s will they please get in touch.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Jackie Mackay on
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Hello Rita
I spent 3 years at Guildford and got to know Joy and Ifor very well.
I think Ifor would have been shocked to know they put a statue of
him up outside - he was always fighting the governors for a bigger
budget and he always won - he was an unusually outspoken man:-)
His ability as an orator was wonderful in his assessment of our
photos. I remember his commonsense wisdom - the antithesis of
the nicey nicey politically correct way that students are 'respected'
nowadays in the tame lame little courses at the colleges that emerged
(yes I tried my hand at teaching for some years) shuffling along in the
footsteps of a man who virtually founded photography teaching in the
UK in the rough old days.
I just read Jane Bown's blog and noted with amusement her remark
about ifor's comment on her turnip picture.
You can call me if you want to talk - 0207 431 7796. 07832 301 791
All the best and good luck.
Jackie Mackay
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Permalink Reply by rita tait on
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Delighted to hear from you. Jack will ring for a chat within the next few days as he is the ex student. He will let you know what is going on here , or will be in the coming year. You seem to be a younger generation than Jack. he is 75 now. It's all very exciting. Is there really a statue?
Happy New Year. Rita & Jack
Jackie Mackay said:Hello Rita
I spent 3 years at Guildford and got to know Joy and Ifor very well.
I think Ifor would have been shocked to know they put a statue of
him up outside - he was always fighting the governors for a bigger
budget and he always won - he was an unusually outspoken man:-)
His ability as an orator was wonderful in his assessment of our
photos. I remember his commonsense wisdom - the antithesis of
the nicey nicey politically correct way that students are 'respected'
nowadays in the tame lame little courses at the colleges that emerged
(yes I tried my hand at teaching for some years) shuffling along in the
footsteps of a man who virtually founded photography teaching in the
UK in the rough old days.
I just read Jane Bown's blog and noted with amusement her remark
about ifor's comment on her turnip picture.
You can call me if you want to talk - 0207 431 7796. 07832 301 791
All the best and good luck.
Jackie Mackay
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Dear Jackie/Rita,
My name is Chris May and my mother is Sian Thomas, Ifor's daughter! I work overseas but my mother is very interested in hearing from any of her father's old colleagues..please feel free to contact and I'll pass on your info..
All the best,
Chris
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Dear Chris
Delighted to get you message re your grandparents. I am just in from a family funeral in s Wales having driven with Jack through a blizzard on the road over the mountains ( I like the scenic route) home to more snow in Hay-on-Wye! Can you give me an email address so that I can bring you all up to date - I am bronyddrt@btconnect.com or 01497 821132. Have been staying for funeral with my ex husband whose wife works for ITV in Cardiff. She has asked me to prepare a synopsis of the Thomas story which she will run before the right people as it so happens they are starting a new film company down there & open to ideas. The National Library of Wales are looking at the potential and discussing whether they see a book or major touring exhibition is all this. We have all been snowbound in the UK since before Xmas, off & on, some areas more so than others, so everything has been on hold as a result of the weather. Look forward to hearing from you. Best, Rita ( & Jack Tait)
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Wow! sounds very very interesting. I'll call my mother now and send her your e-mail address too, really hope this can come to something. I really hoped to have met my grandparents but unfortunately I came too late! fingers crossed..
rita tait said:Dear Chris
Delighted to get you message re your grandparents. I am just in from a family funeral in s Wales having driven with Jack through a blizzard on the road over the mountains ( I like the scenic route) home to more snow in Hay-on-Wye! Can you give me an email address so that I can bring you all up to date - I am bronyddrt@btconnect.com or 01497 821132. Have been staying for funeral with my ex husband whose wife works for ITV in Cardiff. She has asked me to prepare a synopsis of the Thomas story which she will run before the right people as it so happens they are starting a new film company down there & open to ideas. The National Library of Wales are looking at the potential and discussing whether they see a book or major touring exhibition is all this. We have all been snowbound in the UK since before Xmas, off & on, some areas more so than others, so everything has been on hold as a result of the weather. Look forward to hearing from you. Best, Rita ( & Jack Tait)
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Hello!
I am Sian Thomas, daughter of Ifor and Joy Thomas. I am delighted to read of the interest shown in my parents, Ifor and Joy Thomas. I am alive and well and living in Chiddingfold, Surrey. I should be thrilled to hear from anyone who has stories about my parents, and would love to share any of my memories with you. So please get in touch. I should love to hear from you. If you prefer to ring, my landline is 01428 681 531, or mob 07812 114 568. Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Sian Thomas
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delighted to hear from you Sian. I'll ring over the weekend. Best, Rita
Sian Thomas said:Hello!
I am Sian Thomas, daughter of Ifor and Joy Thomas. I am delighted to read of the interest shown in my parents, Ifor and Joy Thomas. I am alive and well and living in Chiddingfold, Surrey. I should be thrilled to hear from anyone who has stories about my parents, and would love to share any of my memories with you. So please get in touch. I should love to hear from you. If you prefer to ring, my landline is 01428 681 531, or mob 07812 114 568. Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Sian Thomas
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Sian. I have confirmed Feb 11th for lunch at the National Library of Wales. I think that you are coming? We have enough spare beds here for everyone to come over on 10th & stay for a few days. We can travel in one car I imagine ( Rover 75)
Let me know.
Best Rita
rita tait said:delighted to hear from you Sian. I'll ring over the weekend. Best, Rita
Sian Thomas said:Hello!
I am Sian Thomas, daughter of Ifor and Joy Thomas. I am delighted to read of the interest shown in my parents, Ifor and Joy Thomas. I am alive and well and living in Chiddingfold, Surrey. I should be thrilled to hear from anyone who has stories about my parents, and would love to share any of my memories with you. So please get in touch. I should love to hear from you. If you prefer to ring, my landline is 01428 681 531, or mob 07812 114 568. Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Sian Thomas
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Hi Rita,
Sian is working away (no access to her PC) until the 15th so will unfortunately not be able to make it, she's very sorry but has already committed. I believe Jen is going to meet you?
She can still be reached on her phone if needs be though.
All the best,
Chris
rita tait said:Sian. I have confirmed Feb 11th for lunch at the National Library of Wales. I think that you are coming? We have enough spare beds here for everyone to come over on 10th & stay for a few days. We can travel in one car I imagine ( Rover 75)
Let me know.
Best Rita
rita tait said:delighted to hear from you Sian. I'll ring over the weekend. Best, Rita
Sian Thomas said:Hello!
I am Sian Thomas, daughter of Ifor and Joy Thomas. I am delighted to read of the interest shown in my parents, Ifor and Joy Thomas. I am alive and well and living in Chiddingfold, Surrey. I should be thrilled to hear from anyone who has stories about my parents, and would love to share any of my memories with you. So please get in touch. I should love to hear from you. If you prefer to ring, my landline is 01428 681 531, or mob 07812 114 568. Look forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Sian Thomas
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Chris. Do the initials C.E.M. on a very old leather suitcase mean anything to you? Will explain more later. Have you spotted the pix of your grandparents that I have now put on this site ( somewhere or other .....)
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Yesterday we received a parcel through the post from a guy who started at Guildford School of Photography in 1948. He made his career in the film industry and spent much time working on a script in the early 1970s that he failed to get taken up (film about Ifor Thomas). He has sent everything that he has to us and of course, as he was able to interview Ifor's sisters about early life at home, this is a treasure as they are now all dead. I cannot put a value on this information so 'Thank you so much Henry Lewes'
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Hi Rita,
C.E.M? I don't think so but maybe my Mum will shed some light? I'm at sea now so can't text and she's away from her computer. The big parcel sounds very exciting!
Chris
rita tait said:Chris. Do the initials C.E.M. on a very old leather suitcase mean anything to you? Will explain more later. Have you spotted the pix of your grandparents that I have now put on this site ( somewhere or other .....)
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