Brett Payne's Victorian & Edwardian
Home / Studio Index / England / Derbyshire / Derby / W.W. Winter
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William Walter (or Walter William) Winter was born at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk in 1842, son of Cornelius Jansen Walter Winter (1819-1891), a portrait and animal painter, and his wife Anna Self Shipston. Winter started off as an assistant to E.N. Charles at 2 Midland Road. When the latter died in March 1863, Winter married Charles' widow Sarah and took over the business (Savage, 2003). According to Craven (1993), this took place some time after 1866. The Picture the Past web site has an image of a photograph attributed to E.N. Charles & W.W. Winter. This photo shows the presentation of the "Florence Nightingale Lifeboat" to the R.N.L.I. in front of the Stationers' Hall in Derby, an event which took place on 22 April 1865.
W.W. Winter advertised himself in Wright's 1874 Trade Directory as a photographic artist and dealer in works of art, with premises at Midland Road, Derby. In 1881, he had a studio at 22 & 24 Midland Road - and resided at 3 Midland Road - but had moved his premises to number 45 by 1887. A carte de visite, dated tentatively at c. 1895, demonstrates that Winter had a branch studio at Matlock, located near Smedley's Hydro, at this time, although it may have been short-lived. By 1891, his wife Sarah had died, and in 1889 Walter married a second time, to Hannah Ness Ruddle (born ) at St. Pancras, London. She bore him at least two daughters and a son, although their elder daughter Eleanor Frances died in 1900, aged 10.
He was an Alderman, retired in 1909, and sold the firm in the following year. The business continued to operate under the name W.W. Winter, and from at least 1912 had additional premises at 22 St. Peter's Churchyard, Derby (Craven, 1993). Winter himself died in 1924. The business is still operating today, from their premises at the Alexandra Room Studios, built to a design by the Derby architect Henry Isaac Stevens (Savage, 2003).
I am greatly indebeted to Jane Steer, who has provided me with a scan of an article about Winter from "Derby Illustrated," dated 1891, from the Derby Local Studies Library (Accession No. 9776) which includes a photograph of the premises (see below). A full transcript of the article follows:
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Extract from "Derby - Illustrated," 1891, p. 98-99
"An account of Derby without the mention of Mr. W.W. Winter, the foremost of its photographers, would be as incomplete as the proverbial play of Hamlet with the part of the Prince of Denmark omitted, "by particular desire." The Alexandra Studios, of Midland Road, are as much an institution in the ancient borough as the Royal "Crown" Procelain Works, Mr. Bass' palace of literature, science and art, the Arboretum, or the Town Hall itself. Mr. Winter's ornate galleries are within a couple of minutes' walk from the Central Station, where converge the main lines of the Midland, the London and North Western, and the North Staffordshire Companies; while the tram-car service brings the Great Northern Terminus in easy proximity. This ready access to Mr. Winter's ateliers affords the stranger passing through Derby, and waiting for a connecting train, a pleasant place of resort in which to turn his forced leisure to agreeable account. This graceful treasure-house of Art covers a large area, and comprises several elegant reception rooms, perfect operating apartments, a picture gallery of fine proportions, and the various departments devoted to manipulating and printing processes. In addition to these are picture framing and gilding departments. On the opposite side of Midland Road is a branch shop which was, indeed, the nucleus of the present unique establishment; and where, in the days of the mystery of sun-picturing was in its infancy, Mr Winter succeeded to the business of the late Mon. Charles. That is about thirty years ago. Since then so art or science has made more remarkable progress than photography. The vast development of the important discovery which Daguerre and Isidore Niepce were fortunate enough to bring within the range of practicability, to the splendid results obtained in England by Colonel Waterhouse, Captain Abney, Wortley, Simpson, Herschel, and others; in France, by MM. Gadicke and Miethe, and in Germany, by Dr. Eder and Dr. Vogel, furnishes a romantic record, both as regards theory and practice. Mr. Winter has kept himself well abreast of all these advances. He has treated photography as something more than a trade or profession; and his well-earned reputation, and fashionable client�le, have been acquired by his devotion to the cherished Art in all relations to its scientific improvement." |
"That Mr. Winter excels in portraiture cannot be denied, for the number of prize medals of the most coveted classes which have been awarded to him in this particular branch afford abundant testimony to his surpassing successes, and at once disarm criticism. These portraits are distinguished by exquisite softenss, delicacy, and beauty, by a nice precision of touch, and by an innate artistic attention to every minute detail, selection of pose, and skill in chiaroscuro. Mr. Winter has achieved some notable triumphs in instantaneous photography by rapid lenses and special plates. These have every claim to be regarded as finished Art productions. Indeed, each example of his work aims to be a photo-picture. In platino-type, Mr. Winter exhibits chef d'oeuvres of the highest excellence. His landscapes are characterised by a mastery of lineal proportion, aeriel perspective, transparency of shadow, and breadth of tone and feeling. His frost studies are technically very good, and the "shots" he had at the Queen and the myriad crowd at Derby on her Majesty's visit to the town on the 21st of May, 1891, are in every respect successful, for individual faces come out distinctly from a throng of many thousands of loyal subjects. This is all the more commendable when it is taken into consideration that the atmospheric conditions were most unfavourable, that there was a movement of the horses of the troops, and that the wind affected banners and bunting. Inspecting and admiring Mr. Winter's studios, one cannot fail to be struck by the special attention he has bestowed on genre, or artistic studies - photographs that supply an incident, or tell a story, sometimes humourous, sometimes pathetic. In these clever objective studies he is decidedly sui generis, and none but himself in this direction is his own parallel. There is nothing showy or meretricious in these careful transcripts of human life and character, for Mr. Winter believes the old axiom, "Ars est celare artem." Mr. Winter warmly recognises the relation between photography and painting - his father was a painter of repute - and his annual Fine Art Exhibitions at his own rooms have for some years past been an annual feature in the life of Derby. Open alike to professionals and amateurs, stimulated by liberal prizes, these competitions have been of a most pleasing character, and have received the imprimatur of the peerage and the people, the praise of both the aristocracy and the aspiring artist. To the artisitic instinct, and the nervous intellectual temperament, Mr. Winter joins business capacity of a rare order, and the talent of using his undeniable abilities. He possesses wonderful practical and administrative power, and his energy is indomitable." |
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"Although his business is so extensive, demanding a staff of twenty-five professional assistants, none of Mr. Winter's commissions are done by deputy ; for every picture, from the now humble carte-de-visite to the more popular cabinet, or the more elaborate enlargement, passes through his hands for approval; and to this immediate personal supervision may be attributed the fact that no faulty work leaves the establishment. A thoroughly representative man in Derby, he enters into church and municipal affairs with ability, experience and zeal. There is no more respected member of the Town Council, and he has commemorated his connection with the Corporation by presenting to the town, for the enrichment of the Guildhall, life-size and permanent portraits of successive Mayors of Derby, three of whom, during the last few years, have received the honour of knighthood, and one the distinction of a baronetcy. This municipal picture gallery will, in the course of time, become of historic value. Mr. Winter has been awarded no less than 57 medals during the past eight years; they represent 10 nationalities, 30 different cities and towns, and 48 separate exhibitions where he has met foemen worthy of his steel." |
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Type I Front & Back Used c. 1864-1865 (est.), Large Coat of Arms, Two fonts, Red ink on white card, Small sans-serif upper-case "W.W.WINTER.late M.CHARLES,PHOTO. DERBY." on front. |
Type II Front & Back Used c. 1865-1868 (est.), Cherubs, camera & oak leaves, Four fonts, Brown ink on white card, Small sans-serif upper-case "WINTER DERBY." on front. |
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Type III Front & Back Used c. 1867-1872 (est.), Small Coat of Arms in Ornate Frame, Three fonts, Pale blue & black ink on white card, Medium serif upper-case "WINTER, DERBY." on front. |
Type IV Front & Back Used c. 1869-1873 (est.), Small Coat of Arms, Three fonts, Red ink on white card, Small sans-serif upper-case "WINTER DERBY." & green frame on front. |
Type V Engraving of W.W. Winter shop front with text (five fonts) and simple ivy. Curved "DERBY." and very small tendril at bottom. Examples of maroon ink/pale pink card and dark brown ink/white card known). Small sans-serif upper-case "WINTER, DERBY." on front. Used c. 1874-1879. (est.) |
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Type Va Front & Back Maroon ink on pale pink card |
Type Vb Front & Back Dark brown ink on white card |
Type VI Diagonal "W.W. Winter" signature with text (two fonts) and simple ivy. Curved "DERBY." and simple tendril at bottom. Various colours of card (white, pale pink and dark brown examples known) and ink (black and purple examples known). Small sans-serif upper-case "WINTER DERBY" on front. Used c. 1874-1877 (est.). Negative numbers include 2497(?). |
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Type VIa Front Black ink on dark brown card |
Type VIa Back Black ink on dark brown card |
Type VIb Back Purple ink on pale pink card |
Type VIc Back Purple ink on white card |
Type VII Diagonal "W.W. Winter" signature with text (two fonts) and simple ivy. Curved "DERBY." and simple tendril at bottom. All as in Type VI, but bottom block of text changed and additional text, "ALL NEGATIVES PRESERVED". Purple ink on variously coloured card (white, pale violet and pale yellow examples known). Small sans-serif upper-case "WINTER DERBY." on front. Often sold with pink tissue protector. Used c. 1877-1880 (est.). Negative numbers include 11991-28282. |
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Type VIIa Front & Back Purple ink on pale yellow card |
Type VIIb Back Purple ink on pale violet card |
Type VIIc Back Purple ink on white card |
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Type VIId Front & Back Variety used for copied prints Purple ink on pale yellow card Inscribed, "COPIED BY WINTER, DERBY." on the front |
Type VIIe Front & Back Variety used for permanent carbonotype prints Purple ink on pale yellow card. "WWW" monongram & inscription, "PERMANENT CARBONOTYPE WINTER, DERBY." on the front |
Type VIII Similar to Type VII but redesigned & printed by Marion Imp Paris. Longer tendril at bottom, and solid red border on front. Used c.1878-1880. |
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Type IX Gem tintype. Gold ink on pale blue card. Used c. 1881. |
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Type VIII Front & Back Used c. 1875-1879 (est.) Purple ink on white card |
Type IX Front & Back |
Type X Diagonal "W.W. Winter" signature with text (two fonts) and simple ivy. Curved "DERBY." All as in Type VII, but longer tendril at bottom and no tendril above N of ALEXANDRA. Small sans-serif upper-case "WINTER DERBY" on front. Used c. 1879-1882 (est.). Negative numbers include 28893-30711. |
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Type Xa Front & Back Purple ink on pale violet card |
Type Xb Front & Back Purple ink on pale violet card |
Type XI Similar to Type VII but redesigned. Straight "DERBY", tendril at bottom different, and and no tendril above N of ALEXANDRA. Used c. 1880-1883. Negative numbers include 23143-30842. |
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Type XI Front & Back Used c. 1881-1884 Purple ink on pale violet card |
Type XII Similar to Type VII with curved "DERBY," but no central tendril above "ND" of "ALEXANDRA". Often sold with pink tissue protector. Used c. 1881-1884 (est.). |
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Type XIIa Front & Back Purple ink on pink card |
Type XIIb Front & Back Purple ink on pale yellow card. |
Type XIII Similar to Type XII but tendril at bottom curves in opposite direction. Used c.1884-1886. Includes negative no. 53121. |
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Type XIV Midget carte de visite; mount measures 34 x 49 mm. Used c.1883-1888. |
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Type XIII Front & Back Used c. 1884-1886 Brown ink on white card |
Type XIV Front Used c. 1881-1885 Carte Midget, red text with signature-type "Winter" on front |
Type XV Redesigned version of diagonal "W.W. Winter" signature with text (two fonts) and ivy. Straight "DERBY." Similar to Type XI, but more ornate ivy. "W.W.Winter" signature and small sans-serif upper-case "DERBY" on front (also "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS" on cabinet). Cabinet card shows similar design plus coat of arms, enclosed in elaborate frame. Used c. 1883-1886 (est.). Negative numbers include sequence 46664-50442. |
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Type XVa Front & Back Maroon text on white card |
Type XVb Front & Back Red ink on white card |
Type XVI-1 "Two Medals" Early version of Type XVI (see below). Used c. 1884-1886 (est.). Negative numbers include 5216?. |
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Type XVI-1 Front & Back Brown text on white/buff card |
Type XVI "Three Medals" Diagonal "W.W. Winter" signature with text (two fonts) and ornate ivy. Straight "DERBY." Similar to Type XIV, but additional text describing medals awarded. "W.W.Winter" signature and small sans-serif upper-case "DERBY" on front. Printed by "Reeves & Hoare, London." Used c. 1885-1886 (est.). Negative numbers include 55135-61183. |
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Type XVIa Front & Back Red-brown ink on white card Carte de visite |
Type XVIb Back Red ink on white card Carte de visite |
Type XVIc Back Brown ink on white card Cabinet card |
Type XVII "Five Medals" New design with five medals. Medium "W.W.Winter" signature and small sans-serif upper-case "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY." on front. Printed by Reeves & Hoare, London E.C. Used c. 1886 (est.). |
Type XVIII "Nine Medals" New design with coat of arms and text (ten fonts). Dark brown ink on white card. Large "W.W.Winter" signature and small sans-serif upper-case "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY." on front, in brown ink. Used c. 1886-1887 (est.). Negative numbers include 63707. |
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Type XVII Front & Back Cabinet card |
Type XVIII Front & Back Cabinet card |
Type XIX "Nine Medals" New design with nine medals. "W.W.Winter" signature and small sans-serif upper-case "DERBY" in brown ink on front ("THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY." on cabinet cards). Used c. 1886-1887 (est.). Negative numbers include 66933-69267. |
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Type XIXa Front & Back Carte de visite |
Type XIXb Front & Back Cabinet card |
Type XX "Nine Medals - Gold" Identical medals design to Type XIX but gold ink used on front. Used c. 1886-1888 (est.). Negative numbers include 64872-72756. |
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Type XXI "Sixteen Medals" New medals design, similar in format to Typex XIX & XX. Used c. 1888-1890 (est.). Negative numbers include 68819-69977. ![]() |
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Type XX Front & Back Carte de visite, Brown ink on white card, Large "W.W.Winter" signature & "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY." in gold ink on front |
Type XXI Front & Back Cabinet card, Brown ink on white card, Large "W.W.Winter" signature & "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY." in gold ink on front. |
Type XXII "Thirty Four Medals" New design with 34 medals. Large "W.W.Winter" signature & "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY" in gold ink on front. Dark green ink on white card & black ink on pale rose card. Used c. 1890-1891 (est.). Negative numbers include 71561-76938. |
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Type XXIIa Front & Back Carte de visite Dark green ink on white card |
Type XXIIb Back Carte de visite Black ink on pale rose card |
Type XXIIc Back Cabinet card Dark green ink on white card |
Type XXIII "Forty Four Medals" New design with 44 medals. Large "W.W.Winter" signature & "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY" in gold ink on front. Dark green or black ink on white card. Used c. 1890-1892 (est.). Negative numbers include 77... |
Type XXIV "57 Medals" New design with 57 medals. Large "W.W.Winter" signature & "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY" in gold ink on front. Dark green ink on white card. Used c. 1891-1893 (est.). Negative numbers include 80852-83598. |
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Type XXIII Front Carte de visite Black ink on pale rose card |
Type XXIV Front Carte de visite Dark green ink on white card |
Type XXV "58 Medals" New design with 58 medals. Large "W.W.Winter" signature & "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY" in gold ink on front. Dark green ink on white or pale rose card. Used c. 1892-1894 (est.). Negative numbers include 84218-89822. |
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Type XXVa Front & Back Carte de visite Dark green ink on white card |
Type XXVb Front & Back Cabinet card Dark green ink on white card |
Type XXVI "60 Medals" New design with 60 medals. Large "W.W.Winter" signature & "THE ALEXANDRA ROOMS, DERBY" in gold ink on front. Black ink on pale rose card & olive brown ink on white card. Used c. 1892-1896 (est.). Negative numbers include 93735-98735. |
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Type XXVIa Front & Back Carte de visite (rounded corners) Black ink on pale rose card |
Type XXVIb Front & Back Cabinet card (square corners) Olive brown ink on white card |
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Type XXVIc Cabinet Card (square corners) Used c. 1893-1896 |
Type XXVII | Type XXVIII Midget Cartes, various sizes | ||
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Type XXVII Cabinet Card (square corners) Used c. 1895-1899 |
Type XXVIII Midget Carte 41 x 82 mm (rounded corners) Used c. 1898-1904 |
Type XXVIIIa Midget Carte 40.5 x 81.5 mm (rounded corners) Used c. 1893-1894 |
Type XXVIIIb Midget Carte 50 x 70.5 mm (rounded corners) Used c. 1894-1899 |
Type XXIX "65 Medals" New design with 65 medals. New large "W.W.Winter Derby" signature in gold ink on front. Brown, olive or gold ink on white card. Cabinet cards (square corners). Used c. 1895-1903 (est.). Negative numbers include 96137-101901. |
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Type XXIXa Front & Back Cabinet card (square corners) Brown ink on white card |
Type XXIXb Front & Back Cabinet card (square corners) Olive ink on white card |
Type XXX "65 Medals & Electric Light" v.1 New design: signature, shield, crown, electric light, ivy & text (6 fonts) Cabinet card (square corners), brown ink on white card. Used c.1900-1905 (est.) Negative numbers include 111034 |
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Type XXIXc Front & Back Cabinet card (square corners) Gold ink on white card |
Type XXX Front & Back Cabinet card (rounded corners) Brown ink on white card |
Type XXXI "65 Medals & Electric Light" v.2 Variety of Large Format Portraits with a new "Art Nouveau" style design, signature, electric lampshade, clouds & text (c.10 fonts), brown/black ink on buff card mount. Used c. 1898-1905. Negative numbers include 97588-119173 |
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Type XXXIa Front & Back Size 131 x 182 mm |
Type XXXIb Front & Back Size 201 x 246 mm |
Type XXXII Square mount with embossed circular frame. Plain back. Negative numbers include 119225-119225. |
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Type XXXII Front Size ? x ? mm |
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Embossed rectangular frame. Studio name printed in lower left corner Size: Mount 179 x 248 mm Photo 98.5 x 144 mm Blank reverse. Negative number 115592. Used c. 1905-1915 |
Bevelled edge. Studio name blind stamped in lower right corner Size: 84 x 131 mm (no margins) Blank reverse. Negative number 170091. Used c. 1930s |
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Bevelled edge. Studio name signed in pencil in lower right corner Size: 76 x 102 mm (no margins) Blank reverse. Used c. 1920s |
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Postcard Type A No stamp box. Marked "Winter, Photo, Derby" up RHS. Used c. 1910s or 1920s |
Postcard Type B Rectangular stamp box with small star. "WW Winter Derby" blind stamped in lower right-hand corner. Used c. 1910s-1920s |
Postcard Type C Horseshoe stamp box. Marked "W.W. Winter, The Photographer, Derby" up LHS & "WW Winter Derby" blind stamped in lower right-hand corner. Used c. 1920s |
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Postcard Type D Front & Reverse Simple rectangular stamp box. "WW Winter Derby" blind stamped in lower right-hand corner. Used c. late 1920s or early 1930s |
PORTFOLIO | Contribute a Photo |
1841-1901 UK Census from Ancestry.com
FreeBMD
North East Midland Photographic Record - Picture the Past
University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories
John Palmer's Wirksworth Web Site
Andy Savage's Derby Photos web site
Craven, Maxwell (ed.) (1993) Keene's Derby, Breedon Books, Derby, pp. 200-202. - by kind courtesy of Sonia Addis-Smith
Trade Directory entries
Harrod & Co. (1870) Postal & Commercial Directory of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland & Staffordshire.
Wright C.N. (1874) Directory of South Derbyshire, Third Edition, October 1874, Derby.
Anon (1881) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London.
Anon (1887) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London.
Anon (1891) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland & Nottinghamshire, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories
Anon (1895) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co. Limited, London.
Anon (1895) History, Topography, and Directory of Derbyshire, T. Bulmer & Co. - by kind courtesy of Sonia Addis-Smith
Anon (1912) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire 1912, Kelly's Directories Ltd., London.
Anon (1917) Chesterfield Year Book & Directory for 1917, Printed by The Derbyshire Courier, Chesterfield, Dec 1916 - by kind courtesy of Rita Effnert
Anon (1932) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire 1932, Kelly's Directories Ltd., London.
Images and information kindly provided by Nigel Aspdin, Derby Local Studies Library, Kevin Rhodes, Margaret Thompson, Jo Bevan, Prue McKay, Jane Steer, Kevin Rhodes, Leonie Cousin, Cynthia Maddock, John Palmer, Ron Cosens, Marcel Safier, Henry Griffiths, Sally Betts, Martin Jackson, David Hutchings, Graham Robinson, Samantha Smith, David Simkin, Roger Vaughan, Sue Stewart, Christine Hibbert, Robert Silverwood, Mary Fritchley, Brenda Rowland, Tristan Martin and Brett Payne. [Contributers]