A group of silver surfers are snapping up new computer skills – by learning about photography.

More than 10 tenants of housing association Cartrefi Conwy signed up for a digital inclusion and photography course.

The 10 week course held at both Venue Cymru in Llandudno and Theatr Colwyn in ColwynBay was open to Cartrefi Conwy’s older tenants and proved a massive hit according to those taking part.

It was run by Paul Sampson, curator of the Oriel Colwyn photographic Gallery at Theatr Colwyn, and co-ordinated by Nerys Veldhuizen, Cartrefi Conwy’s Older Person’s Engagement Co-ordinator.

According to Paul, whose post is funded by Cartrefi Conwy, the Arts Council of Wales and Conwy County Borough Council, he used photography as a “stealth medium” to encourage course participants to be more comfortable using computers.

He said: “Most people take and have photographs and have access to a digital camera.

“So, as well as learning a few photographic skills participants have been learning how to store, retrieve, manipulate and file their images on a computer. And we are looking at how to share images on social media too.

“It doesn’t matter what camera they have, so long as it’s digital. We have been going out taking photographs at locations such as Llandudno promenade and the Happy Valley Gardens on the Great Orme as well as a 1940’s themed weekend.

“It gives me the opportunity to teach a few things about photography, such as using light and shade, composition and exposure techniques, and once we return to the computer room, what to do with those images.

“It’s amazing how many people know how to download images to their computer and then, when they try to find the images later, they can’t. So we have been working on how to make and manage digital files.”

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Tenant Brenda Robinson, 74, from Kennedy Court, in Old Colwyn, described the course as "absolutely brilliant".

She said: “It has got us out and about and taken me away from my flat. We have been learning but also talking together, we have had such a laugh. I have made new friends and really enjoyed the experience.

“I never went out much to be perfectly honest so joining the course has really given me a new lease of life. I do have a computer but never realised just how much you can do with them and how much I didn’t know.

“Paul has been a wonderful teacher and he has been very patient with us all. I’m so glad I joined the course and intend to keep on taking photographs and downloading them to my computer. And I will definitely carry on meeting my new friends.”

Fellow tenant Phil Batty, 77, from Parkway, Rhos-on-Sea, intends to send photographs to his family in New Zealand now he has learnt how to download images.

He said: “I joined the course to enhance my photography skills and to learn how to transfer images to my home computer. My step-daughter lives in New Zealand and has two sons who are both married with children of their own.

“They send me lots of photographs and now I’m e-mailing them some of my own thanks to what I have learned from this course which has been very informative.”

He added: “I’m certainly more confident now using my computer and the course has also been a great way to meet tenants from other Cartrefi Conwy estates and sheltered housing complexes. It means I’ve made quite a few new friends.”

Renee Williams, 76, a tenant of The Fron, Old Colwyn is now downloading her pictures to her home computer.

She said: “I have just bought a lap-top and also have a home computer but I had no idea how to download pictures and store them. The course means I have learnt a great deal but it has been much more than that.

“Socially it’s been great and means I have met new friends and neighbours I didn’t previously know. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out and about and taking pictures too.”

Sarah Ecob, Venue Cymru’s general manager says the idea for the course came about following a discussion she had with Cartrefi Conwy Chief Executive Andrew Bowden regarding digital inclusion.

She said: “We were in the process of employing Paul Sampson as Venue Cymru’s resident photographer and he was ideally suited to run this course.

“We thought it was an ideal way to teach digital inclusion. People want to take photographs and they want to share them. I’m delighted the course has been so successful and look forward to running similar events in the future.”

Cartrefi Conwy’s Older Person’s Engagement Co-ordinator, Nerys Veldhuizen, says the course has evolved into much more than a means of teaching digital inclusion.

She said: “It has taken some of our tenants a little bit out of their comfort zone and away from their community centres. It has been fantastic to see tenants making friends and meeting with tenants from other sheltered housing schemes.

“Of all the digital inclusion courses Cartrefi Conwy have run I think this photography and digital inclusion course is the one participating tenants have become most excited about.

“We intend to display the photographs from the course at Venue Cymru during August with a planned exhibition opening for family and friends, as well as at Cartrefi Conwy’s Older Person’s day which will be held on the 1^st of October, at the Kinmel Manor.”

Paul Sampson added: “The Cartrefi Conwy tenants have been a fantastic group. They have retained the information and are now using their computers more and taking some wonderful pictures too.

“In fact some have even been out and invested in new cameras. I think we have seen confidence levels rise across the board and they seem to have become firm friends. I really am thrilled with the way the course has evolved and the progress of those that have taken part.”

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A stylish extravaganza of fashion, music and dance brought glitz, glamour and crowds to Shrewsbury’s busy Darwin and Pride Hill Shopping Centres on Saturday.

The Centres played host to Fashion Frames with a team of four models, headed by stylist and presenter Lola Royle, staging a series of shows throughout the day.

On a busy Shrewsbury Saturday it brought crowds flocking to be entertained by the models parading the latest High Street fashions from the centres’ retailers.

Tammy Smith, brand manager of Top Shop, in the Darwin Centre, was delighted to have been involved in the event and said: “I think it’s a great idea to mix music with fashion in the way that was done.

“The whole idea brings a real touch of vitality to shopping and is great for the customers to enjoy.

“We had a number of products from our latest ranges featured in the shows, such as lovely dresses and jeans.”

The series of 13 shows kicked off at 11am in the Pride Hill Shopping Centre and featuring New Look, Clarks, Top Shop, Next, Vision Express, Marks and Spencer, Roman and Funky Fashions.

The set moved on to the Darwin Centre after 1pm to take in fashions, jewellery and accessories from River Island, Soho, Ernest Jones, Warehouse, Blue Inc, Boots, Claire’s Accessories, River Island, Monsoon, Wallis and Laura Ashley.

James Beattie, Manager of Next at Pride Hill, was also delighted with the day and said: “It went really well for us.”

“This the second time our store has been involved and it gave us the chance to showcase some of our new summer fashions.”

“The guys doing the modelling were wearing our short sleeved shirts and tee-shirts and the girls had on our sleeveless top and a blouse with a cardigan over the top.”

“Our store was right next to the performance area so the early show meant customers were coming right in here after watching and the place was really hopping.”

Trish Grace, Manager of Roman, reckoned it was well worth being involved because she sold one of the dresses the store had featured in the show just minutes after it was seen being modelled.

Trish said: “We had two dresses in the show – a floral print ruffle dress and a long gypsy-style one.”

“While the show was going on outside there was a lady in here trying on summer dresses. Right after the show finished her husband, who had been watching it, dashed straight in here and persuaded her to buy the long dress.”

“I took another one in green right off the mannequin and sold it to her. That’s not bad going, so I’m really glad we were involved.”

“I think the whole thing was a great idea.”

Chris Todd, of organisers Maynineteen, said:  “We had a great day and, most importantly, we know that there was definitely footfall driven into the stores as a result of the shows.

“I know that New Look, for instance, had a lot of people going in immediately after their clothes had been modelled in the show.

“The models and the rest of our team all had a lot of fun doing the event and we drew some pretty big audiences who were certainly enjoying the performances.”

Sharon Griffiths, of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, was also delighted with the way the day went and she said: “It was a brilliant day and it attracted a lot of attention with the centres very busy with shoppers.

“The models were great and the routines were very well executed and it brought a real touch of glamour and style to the town.”

“It seemed to go very, very well and was a very well planned event. The reaction from the shops has been very positive and there seemed to be plenty of smiling faces here on Saturday.”