Morning All
 
The weather may be stuck in this same wet and rainy dreary rut, yet the seasons are slipping by all the same. 
Midsummer has crept stealthily up and you may not believe it but next Thursday marks the summer solstice! 
It is the longest day of the year and the time when the sun is at its maximum elevation and humans have been amazed by the great power of the sun; really! These Druids had better keep their thermals and raincoats on beneath their robes!
 
‘Get Off Auto.’ Talk/presentation: 
A huge thanks to all for making last Wednesday a real success. We had 15 ‘guests’ amongst us with only 3 absentees, and they are coming next week, so another busy Wednesday coming up. There was lots of really positive feedback from the departing throng and, fingers crossed, they may appear again! 
Below is an extract from the email I sent them all: If you can please take part it may help to swell the numbers! 
A challenge for next Wednesday, 19th June. 
This is optional, if you feel in any way uncomfortable it’s no problem. 
Take about say, 6/12 images of your choice; these images should illustrate the effects of different apertures, shutter speeds and/or ISO’s. 
The images can be ‘open’ (any theme), but must include either the colour red or yellow or a combination of both red and yellow, and can be taken inside or out. 
Please bring them in on a USB ‘stick’ next week. If you are unable to be with us next week you could, if you wanted to, email them to me or send them via Wetransfer and I will show them on your behalf. 
These images will be part of the ‘show and tell’ for next Wednesday. 
A suggestion could be that you take the same image/composition, say 6 times, but use different apertures and/or different shutter speeds and/or different ISO’s. It’s absolutely your choice! 
On this coming Wednesday Stan will be presenting a short recap on last week plus a talk on taking portraits. This will be followed by a practical session, like last week, but including a male person to pose for portraits – thanks to Freda for organising.
 
Notices:
 
Events Cup – Our 3rd destination for this summer, Eycott Hill Nature Reserve, Monday 17th OR Saturday 22nd. Please don’t forget you can only pick one of the days. Distance is approx. 66 miles, just over an hour. 
Latest weather forecast? Unsurprising: for Monday, ‘light rain showers and a gentle breeze’ and for Saturday ‘light rain and a moderate breeze’ – your choice! 
For full info please visit: Eycott Hill Nature Reserve | eycott hill cumbria | Eycott Hill 
Cumbria Wildlife Trust: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk › eycott_hill 
Eycott Hill Nature Reserve is the perfect place for low level walk or wildlife adventure! A… 
Location: Near Berrier, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0XD 
Getting there by car: 
From the M6 junction 40 follow the A66 towards Keswick. After approximately 11km/7 miles turn right, signposted Hutton Roof (look out for the Sportsman’s Inn from the A66), take the next left, signposted Hutton Roof, Berrier and Whitbarrow. Follow this road for 2.5km/1.6 miles through the hamlet of Berrier, the reserve and car park are on the left hand side. 
Good luck to all!
 
Up and coming programme of events:
 
Monday June 17th: First possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 19th: Feedback, discussion and further support, if needed, from the first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation and ‘show and tell’, the good, the bad and the indifferent!
 
Saturday June 22nd: Second possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 26th: work in progress!
 
That’s all folks and please if you have suggestions/thoughts just email in! 
Enjoy the warm rain,
 
Cheers
 
Mike

Afternoon All
 
A big thanks to Stan for last Wednesday’s talk on freezing the action and long exposure and for all members having a go, with cameras, down by the river, despite the chilly conditions!
 
‘Get Off Auto.’ Talk/presentation 
In case you didn’t know we have had a great response to the this. So far, to date, 15 people have requested to be part of it. Plus, I’ve had 4 people saying they are very interested in joining our club; I have, of course, invited them to join us on this Wednesday as well – so I think we could be in for a very busy night! 
I’ll give a little introductory chat, followed by Stan giving a talk on aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Following the talk, there will be a practical session, weather permitting, around the area and down by the river. We have a plan B should the weather not play ball! The idea of the practical is to take images illustrating the effects of different apertures and shutter speeds, in theory! 
Then a coffee/tea and biscuits break, free to all, giving us time to mingle with everyone and emphasise the social aspect of the club, and then a final thank you to all and a challenge for next week! 
My feelings, just saying! 
This is a chance, maybe, to attract new members; it’s not a hard sell at all but I always believe new members are the life blood of any club ‘cos not only do they swell the numbers but, possibly, will bring new ideas and thoughts and perhaps skills to our club. And, of course, widen the social aspect of the club. 
I think, it is very important that we make our visitors welcome and they never feel isolated. We will accommodate them sat at tables, as we have been doing recently, with at least one club member at each table. If a visitor is stood alone, please go over and talk to them. Ta! 
Paul, Ian, Robin, Maurice and Stan have all kindly offered to help 2/3 of our ‘guests’ each during the practical session. If anyone else feels they can help in this regard please email me, it would be greatly appreciated. 
I’m really thankful to all and anyone who helps out on the above and I’m sure it will be a great success!
 
Notices: 
Events Cup – Our 3rd destination for this summer, Eycott Hill Nature Reserve, Monday 17th OR Saturday 22nd. Please don’t forget you can only pick one of the days. Distance is approx. 66 miles, just over an hour. 
Latest weather forecast? Unsurprisingly, for both days, ‘light rain showers and light winds’ – your choice! 
For full info please visit: Eycott Hill Nature Reserve | eycott hill cumbria | Eycott Hill 
Cumbria Wildlife Trust: https://www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk  › eycott_hill 
Eycott Hill Nature Reserve is the perfect place for low level walk or wildlife adventure! A… 
Location: Near Berrier, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 0XD 
Getting there by car: 
From the M6 junction 40 follow the A66 towards Keswick. After approximately 11km/7 miles turn right, signposted Hutton Roof (look out for the Sportsman’s Inn from the A66), take the next left, signposted Hutton Roof, Berrier and Whitbarrow. Follow this road for 2.5km/1.6 miles through the hamlet of Berrier, the reserve and car park are on the left hand side. 
Good luck to all!
 
Up and coming programme of events:
 
Wednesday June 12th: The first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation by Stan and Mike.
 
Monday June 17th: First possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 19th: Feedback, discussion and further support, if needed, from the first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation and ‘show and tell’, the good, the bad and the indifferent!
 
Saturday June 22nd: Second possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 26th: work in progress!
 
That’s all folks and please if you have suggestions/thoughts just email in! 
Enjoy the sun when it makes an appearance!
 
Cheers
 
Mike

Morning All
 
Notices:
 
Janet Taylor from, Morecambe Camera Club, emailed to say they have recently been approached by Graham Currey to see if they would like a GBrodie day. 
This is where Graham brings various costumes and we take photos of him around the local area, he gives lots of help and advice on how to get the best shots. We have done a couple in the past and they have been very enjoyable. It is on Thursday 11th July from 10am to 4pm and the cost is £30, cash on the day, per photographer with a maximum of 12 people. 
MCC would like to know if anyone is interested? If so, please let me know and I’ll pass your details on to Janet.
 
Posters: I’ve attached 2 posters for your perusal! 1 is for the competition and one is for the ‘Get Off Auto’ presentation. They are for info and, perhaps, for you to tell family, friends, neighbours or any acquaintances that may be interested!
 
Up and coming programme of events:
 
Wednesday June 5th: Bring your camera, tripod and filters. I’ll bring my Lee filters so you may be able to use them. Stan will give a short talk, this time, on Long Exposure and ‘Freezing the Action;’ then down to the river area for practice and fun! Weather forecast, at the time of writing this, is rather iffy! But, we can but try!
 
Wednesday June 12th: The first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation by Stan and Mike.
 
Monday 17th June: First possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 19th: Feedback, discussion and further support, if needed, from the first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation and ‘show and tell’, the good, the bad and the indifferent!
 
Saturday 22nd June: Second possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
That’s all folks and please if you have suggestions/thoughts just email in!
 
Enjoy the warmth.
 
Cheers
 
Mike

Morning All
 
Inclement weather, eh? Photographing flowers in the rain! 
Many thanks to everyone who came to last Wednesday’s meeting; a summary of what we chatted about recapped below:
 
We talked about various topics that we could organise through the summer calendar, and these suggestions were, in no particular order:
 
Practicing portrait photography and then long exposure and using fast shutter speed to capture and freeze the action – see below in ‘Up and coming programme of events’:
 
A presentation by Sarah on her travels to and from Morrocco; possible date Wednesday 31st July.
 
Possible re-visit to the BMX track in Preston; photographing a cricket match at Goosnargh and/or Forton.
 
Photography opportunities could include:
 
International Cycling event in July, out of Lancaster
Visit to the 3 sisters race track, Wigan
Motorcross, BMX and Whippet racing
This weekend’s Childrens Festival
Great Eccleston, Tractor Pulling, August
 
Informal photographic walks to: Cockersand Abbey and Plover Scar Lighthouse, Morecambe Bay, Sunderland Point, South Walney Nature Reserve, Barnard castle, The Wirral Peninsula.
 
Visit to Haybridge Nature Reserve. Perhaps days out in Keswick and/or Coniston and/or Wastwater.
 
‘In House’ – possible short talk/demonstration on Lightroom and Photoshop.
 
Obviously, all or any of the above will need to be organised and advertised. This is where the WhatsApp, described below, will come in to its own!
 
I will send any details out in the weekly newsletter but some of the above might be arranged quite quickly as they are weather dependant; ‘spur-of-the-moment’ stuff really, and we all know what our weather is like at the moment – climate change eh!
 
So, to be included, please join the WhatsApp!
 
Notices 
WhatsApp – as recently discussed, the other day, we have a WhatsApp group for what we would call ‘outings.’ 
This group is open to all members and to join please contact Adrian on adrianwhitaker@btinternet.com 
or phone on: 0771 331 0555.
 
Calendar images: Still waiting the choice of the final 12 from the Arts Centre Committee.
 
Events Cup 2024 
An advanced warning of the 2 possible dates for the Events Cup 3rd destination of Eycott Hill Nature Reserve. Just to remind everyone you must chose only one of the days!
 
Up and coming programme of events:
 
Wednesday May 29th: Bring your camera! Stan will give a short talk on Portrait photography, then we can ‘team-up’ and practice in the Arts Centre and weather permitting go down by the river area and practice more there with better backgrounds.
 
Wednesday June 5th: Bring your camera AND your tripod! Stan will give a short talk, this time, on Long Exposure. Again, maybe initial practice in the Arts Centre then down to the river area.
 
Wednesday June 12th: The first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation by Stan and Mike.
 
Monday 17th June: First possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 19th: Feedback, discussion and further support, if needed, from the first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation and ‘show and tell’, the good, the bad and the indifferent!
 
Saturday 22nd June: Second possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
That’s all folks and please if you have suggestions/thoughts just email in! 
Enjoy the warm rain! 
Cheers
 
Mike

Morning All
 
Short and sweet today!
 
Many thanks to all members who managed to come to the presentation evening last Wednesday and big congratulations to all our winners, well deserved! 
We thought Allan did a great job of presenting the trophies with a bit of banter thrown in and thanks to Maurice for taking the photographs: all in all, in our opinion, the evening was a great success including the catering! Thanks, Freda, for organising Jean and her team.
 
Notices 
WhatsApp – as recently discussed, the other day, we have a WhatsApp group for what we would call ‘outings.’ 
This group is open to all members and to join please contact Adrian on adrianwhitaker@btinternet.com  or phone on: 0771 331 0555. 
Please, everyone, this group is only for informing members that you are going out and about with your camera and would anyone else like to join you. It’s not for general chit-chat!
 
The top 36 calendar images, voted on last week, were shown on Wednesday and these have now been sent to the Arts Centre Committee for consideration for the 2025 calendar. When their choice has been made the final 12 images will be shown on a Wednesday evening when we meet up.
 
Events Cup 2024 
Below is an advanced warning of the 2 possible dates for the Events Cup 3rd destination of Eycott Hill Nature Reserve. Just to remind everyone you must chose only one of the days!
 
Up and coming programme of events:
 
Wednesday May 22nd – a general get-together meeting to set the plan for the summer months until September.
 
Wednesday June 12th – The first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation by Stan and Mike.
 
Monday 17th June – First possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination of Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
Wednesday June 19th – Feedback, discussion and further support, if needed, from the first ‘Back to Basics – Getting off Auto’ presentation and ‘show and tell’, the good, the bad and the indifferent!
 
Saturday 22nd June – Second possible day for the Events Cup 3rd destination of Eycott Hill Nature Reserve.
 
That’s all folks and please if you have suggestions/thoughts just email in!
 
Enjoy the warm sunny weather whilst it lasts!
 
Cheers
 
Mike and Lewis

Morning All
 
We had quite a busy (and warm!) coffee morning yesterday and raised £106 plus £20 in donations; all contributing to the coffers! 
Many thanks to all that donated edible cakes, and they were, and gave up their Saturday morning to help, it really is appreciated. 
Did anyone capture a photograph of the Northern Lights? Expectations were high, so I waited until 12.30 Saturday evening/Sunday morning but to no avail! As I was retiring to bed the internet told me that ‘just as darkness fell, geomagnetic levels fell below the threshold’ which left me rather disappointed, to say the least! Actually, the clue could have been that I couldn’t see the moon! But, heyho – tonight? 
As for the Eurovision contest – don’t get me started; on reflection, I must be approaching old age!
 
Notices
 
AGM: Below is the committee as proposed and voted on for the 2024/25 season:
 
Chairperson – Mike
 
Vice chairperson – Freda
 
Competition Secretary – Lewis
 
Treasurer – Robin
 
Secretary – Freda
 
Programme Secretary – vacant
 
Publicity – Maurice
 
Facebook – Rhona
 
Committee members – Sue, Claire and Elaine
 
Also, thanks went to Tim for his excellent work looking after our website – thanks Tim. 
We would like to thanks everyone who has contributed their time over the last year to help with the smooth running of our camera club – no committee = no club! 
Big thanks go to Stan for his continued support and for his frequent emails with his thoughts and suggestions – keeping typing, Stan! 
At this point I would like to say a huge thanks to Lewis for all the time and trouble he has put into the club over these last 4 years. We have met up on numerous occasions to discuss various aspects and thoughts about the club as well as the challenges, especially during covid! As Lewis said, he has been on the committee for over 40 years and now is the time to step back a little. Lewis is still Competitions Secretary, so we haven’t seen the last of him! 
Also, I know he is going away for at least 2 long holidays so I can feel some presentations coming on! 
So, thanks again Lewis for all your hard work, it really is valued.
 
John’s proposal: I would like to propose that our members review the scoring system for club competitions. 
This proposal was carried so from now on we will not be judging images on a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, HC and C scoring system basis. We will be adopting a Points out of Twenty system. So, each image, when judged, will be given a score of, probably, anywhere between 20 points to 12 points. 
The nitty-gritty details/changes will be discussed between John, Lewis and myself in the coming weeks and will be posted on our website and detailed in a newsletter.
 
Proposal from Mike and Lewis: We would like to propose that the maximum number of images submitted by each member for the 5 internal competitions is reduced from 9 to 7. This proposal was also carried. Again, further details will follow soon.
 
You will also have noticed that the position of Programme Secretary is still vacant; so, if anyone is interested, PLEASE email in – training will be given!
 
Back to Basics – Getting off Auto. These are sessions, presented by Stan, to help members with the fundamental aspects of how a camera works and how to use ‘aperture,’ ‘shutter speed’ and ‘ISO.’ To produce that ‘perfect’ exposure! 
You will need to bring a camera, so that, following Stan’s talk you can practice in the Arts Centre and then, weather permitting, we will go outside, to the river and playing fields. The following week, Stan will invite feedback on the session and will ask everyone to ‘show and tell.’ their photographs and how they got on. 
These talks will be advertised on the local Facebook pages and via posters around Garstang to hopefully encourage non-members to attend and maybe join the club. 
If anyone has any thoughts, suggestions or ideas PLEASE email in and get involved! 
The Three dates are – 12th June, 17th July and 7th August.
 
WhatsApp – as recently discussed, the other day, we have a WhatsApp group for what we would call ‘outings.’ 
This group is open to all members and to join please contact Adrian on adrianwhitaker@btinternet.com or phone on: 0771 331 0555. 
Please, everyone, this group is only for informing members that you are going out and about with your camera and does anyone else like to join you. It’s not for general chit-chat!

 
The 52 calendar images were shown on Wednesday and voted on by the members who were present. The final 36, to be sent to the Arts Centre committee for consideration for the 2025 calendar, will be shown next Wednesday just before the presentations.
 
Up and coming programme of events:
 
May 15th – Member’s Presentation Evening with the Presentation of Certificates and trophies. Usual start time of 7.30pm.
 
May 22nd – a general get-together meeting to set the plan for the summer months until September.
 
That’s all folks and please if you have suggestions/thoughts just email in!
 
Cheers
 
Mike and Lewis
 
PS Just looked on Facebook and people have posted Northern Lights images from 2.30am onwards!

Morning All
 
Many thanks go to Stan and Robin for their 2 presentations last week – ‘Local Sports part 2’ and ‘Excursion to Chile’ respectively. 
I know that a lot of time and trouble goes into these presentations and it’s not easy getting the timing right and commentating! So, thanks again, it’s very much appreciated. 
Also, many thanks go to Rhona and Tim for putting the ‘Anything Goes’ competition winners on Facebook and our website respectively.
 
Notices:
 
Attached is a copy of the agenda for Wednesday’s AGM; please have a read so that you are up to speed!
 
2025 Calendar. Just to reminder everyone the deadline to submit images is Sunday May 5th, that’s today! We will take very late entry images up to and including Monday evening, so you still have time!
 
Message from Linda Seed: Linda asks if anyone would like some free carousels for both Kodak and Gaf 600 slide projectors plus, the projectors. 
If you are interested, please email me, Mike, on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I’ll send you the contact details.
 
Events Cup, second visit, details below; just to remind everyone you must chose only one of the days!
 
Up and coming programme of events:
May 7th (Tuesday) – possible visit to Leighton Moss to take part in the second Events Cup.
May 8th – AGM
May 11th (Saturday) – Our final coffee morning for this ‘season’ at the Arts Centre. As usual, if anyone would like to bring along anything edible, PLEASE do so!
May 12th (Sunday) – possible visit to Leighton Moss to take part in the second Events Cup
May 15th – Member’s Presentation Evening with the Presentation of Certificates and trophies. Please don’t forget to book a place! The cost this year is £16 per member. Please book with Freda as soon as poss – cheers. LAST chance!

That’s all folks!
 
Mike and Lewis

Morning All
 
Quiz: I’m sure you will all be pleased to know that the Charles Flatt intergroup quiz competing for the Charles Flatt Trophy went very well on Saturday night. There were 13 teams, including our own – thanks to Elaine, Jenny, Claire, Barry and Rhona for putting their names down and having a go! Unfortunately, they didn’t trouble the eventual winners, The Song Birds, who now have the enviable(?) task of organising and compiling next year’s quiz! 
Many thanks go to Sue, Adrian and Freda for all their invaluable help before, during and after the quiz night in making it a very successful evening. 
The 200 club draw was also held and you will be disappointed to learn that we failed to win any prize! Sorry, Robin!
 
Anything Goes Cup: Attached are two documents, one showing the winning images and the other showing the highly commended and the commended images. 
Thank you to all members who managed to enter the competition and also a big thank you goes to Alan Walker, our judge for the evening; many of you have commented that Alan did an excellent ‘judgment’ and he was, by far, the best this year – I’m sure we can ask him again!
 
Events Cup: We hope that some of you managed to get to Silverdale and Arnside last Thursday or Saturday. The weather was really against us but, hey ho, you never know!
 
Media City: We had a very successful visit, with Lee, to Media City on Tuesday. Get location, Lee extremely helpful and importantly the weather behaved itself, though got a little chilly about 9.30pm! Lee will be organising further trips for the club, hopefully, in the near future.
 
Notices.
 
AGM. Any agenda items? This gives you, the members, an opportunity to put forward any ideas or thoughts you may have with regard to the running of your club. If you have any suggestions please email in (info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk)  and we can put it on the agenda. This is your chance to influence the direction of our club to hopefully change and/or improve what we offer!
 
2025 Calendar. Just to reminder everyone the deadline to submit images is Sunday May 5th, 2 weeks from today. Many thanks to members who have already submitted their photographs. Need help? Just email in.
 
Up and coming programme of events:
 
April 24th – No meeting
 
May 1st – 2 members presentations: Presentation one is by Stan titled ‘Local Sports part 2; the second is by Robin titled ‘Excursion to Chile’. Many thanks to both members for their individual time and trouble to put these talks together.
 
May 7th (Tuesday) – possible visit to Leighton Moss to take part in the second Events Cup destination.
 
May 8th – AGM
 
May 11th (Saturday) – Our final coffee morning for this ‘season’ at the Arts Centre. As usual, if anyone would like to bring along anything edible, PLEASE do so!
 
May 12th (Sunday) – possible visit to Leighton Moss to take part in the second Events Cup destination.
 
May 15th – Member’s Presentation Evening with the Presentation of Certificates and trophies. Please don’t forget to book a place! The cost this year is £16 per member. Please book with Freda as soon as poss – cheers.
 
That’s all folks!
 
Mike and Lewis