Morning All
Here’s me thinking of gardening this morning; heavy showers and meteorological calendar always places the beginning of autumn on September 1; so much for our summer, eh?
Oaklands
Huge thanks to Maurice and Freda for their ‘sterling’ efforts last Sunday at Oaklands. Yes, the attendance was down but we had a good time chatting to quite a few people in a very convivial and (almost) hot weather and certainly a warm atmosphere. Possible members? The proof, as always, will be on the evening of the 6th.
Message from Paul Ferguson (Coordinator, Oaklands) – Everyone at Oaklands want to thank you for your attendance on Sunday. We were so lucky with the weather and lots of people have said how much they enjoyed the day. In particular our residents had a great time and that is always the most important thing for us.
We were unfortunate that the attendance was low and we hope that this did not spoil the day for you given how much this will have restricted your opportunities to showcase your brilliant work.
Notices
Bob Sapey:
We had a chat to Bob at Oaklands (regarding the astrophotography for the Milky Way photography) and he is keeping a beady eye on all weather conditions so, watch this space. He has suggested, as well, to have a practice ‘set-up’ of photography gear in daylight sometime soon, only for an hour or so; it’s just better to ensure all is well in daylight! – I’ll keep all posted on any arrangements.
Just to remind: We will be aiming to take photos with a wide angle lens (16-24 FF) with a 20-30 second exposure at an ISO of about 3200, so tripod is essential.
We talked about going to Ribblehead Viaduct so I guess we’d be leaving Garstang about 9pm.
So, if you’re still interested in trying some Milky Way photography – let us know and we will keep you on a circulation list. Don’t forget it will probably mean a bit ‘last minute dot com’!
Garstang Club Competition:
This was a suggestion from Stan, a while ago – thanks Stan!
We discussed this at some length at the recent committee meeting and Michael (Orr) very kindly volunteered to coordinate and ‘steer’ this idea. THANKS Michael!
In a nutshell, the idea is for the camera club to arrange a photography competition, in Garstang, and after much discussion it was decided to limit it to the schools in Garstang (separated into 2/3 age group sections) and the images must be taken on an iPhone.
This is obviously our first go at something like this so it will take, I’m sure, quite a bit of planning. So, if any member would like to assist Michael in this project, please email in or chat to us on the first meeting on 6th September. We are looking, in theory for 2/3 volunteers, so that any workload is not arduous and it should be great fun.
It will help ‘spot-light’ the club, and we think it will, maybe, introduce photography to a younger audience and hopefully ‘fire’ their imagination! And, although it will probably not increase the membership, maybe it will rub off on parents, who knows!
Bob Robinson:
Please find attached the rules and guidelines for The Bob Robinson Trophy, to be held on 8 October 2023.
Online entry opens on Saturday 26th August and closes on Saturday 17th September 2023.
Michael is organising our entries – thanks again Michael! – so….
The attached is hopefully self-explanatory! If not please email in on the usual email address – info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and hopefully we can answer any queries. More discussion, if needed, during our first meeting.
September Exhibition:
This is the clubs’ exhibition, held in the Arts Centre, for all 1st, 2nd and third print winners PLUS any print that received a commended or highly commended award in last season’s internal competitions.
Maurice is organising this exhibition (many thanks, as always, Maurice), and he would like all prints to be handed in, at the latest, by Wednesday 13th September. We have attached a full list of all entries (both prints and DPI’s) so if you can’t remember please check in out!
This list does, as mentioned, include the PDI competition winners as well, and we have always understood, print copies of these are eligible for display.
Please make the effort to bring these in as it is a great ‘show-case’ for the club and the exhibition lasts from Saturday 23rd September to Thursday 19th October.
PLEASE – on the back of each print, label it with the title, your name, which competition and the prize. This is a great help to Maurice!
Club Website:
We are revamping and renewing some parts of our website and one of the areas is the ‘Members Gallery.’ The committee have decided this area needs some updating so all images presently on display will, by the end of September, be deleted.
So…. any members who wishes to have up to 6 of their images displayed will be asked to send them in at an appropriate date in the near future. More information will follow soon.
Calendar
Have you bought ‘THE’ calendar yet? If not please do so as all monies raised will go towards funding the Arts Centre, on which we all depend!
So, Sue will be bringing some in on 6th September and they are only £8.50 each – what a giveaway!
Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday August 30th – No meeting.
Thursday August 31st – Trip to Heysham and area with Morecambe Camera Club (MCC), 7.00 – 9pm. Please note the time change. Thanks to all who have put their name forward and below are directions if you are travelling there solo!
If you put 36 Knowlys Road LA3 2PF into Google maps, it will probably direct you from M6 jctn 34 along the Bay Gateway. You will cross Morecambe Road and go through 2 more sets of traffic lights. Shortly after 2nd set of lights take 3rd exit at a roundabout (signed retail park and Vickers Industrial Estate. Take 2nd exit at next roundabout then follow windy road for about a mile. Turn left at traffic lights onto Heysham Road. Turn right shortly after pelican crossing and you’re on Knowly Road. Hope this makes sense.
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Last Call: Please email in to us so that we can begin to arrange car sharing, if required, and let MCC know numbers.
Saturday September 2nd – ‘Paint Garstang’. This is the 2nd ‘Plein Air’ open Art Competition organised by the Arts Centre. ‘Painting’ begins at 9am until 4pm and the judging and presentation of prizes is 4pm – 5pm.
They have asked us, at the camera club, to capture the day’s events as part of the occasion. We would really appreciate members to take part, even if only for a couple of hours! Considering the current weather conditions, it may give a whole new meaning to the term ‘Water’ colours!’
If you are willing to partake in this venture, please just let us know – cheers! Many thanks to all who have ‘signed-up’ again, many thanks to all those who are bringing their cameras!
Wednesday September 6th – First meeting of the new ‘season.’ Our first club meeting of the ‘season.’ We will be welcoming you all back to the regular club get-togethers and, hopefully, welcoming some new members.
Programme for the evening will include, amongst many things, the 12 – in – 12 (or any number, really!), project launched last September.
September 13th – Brian Law ARPS CPAGB – ‘Realising Your Potential’
September 20th – Geoff Reader – Snowdonia & The Peak District. PLUS, last date for your entries to the Events Competition.
September 27th – Members Evening – details to follow.
Finally
It’s that time of year folks! Subscriptions (sorry) are due; just to remind you the fees for this year are £52 which includes the £28 paid to the Arts Centre.
You can pay by bank transfer BACS (details on the website – under ‘Information’ and then click on ‘Membership form’ and the account name, number and sort code are there) or by cash or by cheque payable to Garstang Camera Club.
Robin will be ready with his receipt book during our first meeting!
A reminder – you will also be members of L&CPU and PAGB. (Regional and National Camera Club Federations because membership fees are included in your subscription to Garstang Camera Club). What a bargain!
That’s all folks
Mike and Lewis
Garstang Camera Club 