2025 Monthly News

Newsletter 22/06/25

Morning All

Notices:
Camera Course:
The next 4 Wednesdays are dedicated to the above. We have, at the time of writing this newsletter, 14 people, some though not for the full 4 weeks as hols intervene!
Also, many thanks to all members who have contacted me to offer their services to help with the course – ta!
Reminder – we start at the earlier time of 7pm!

Summer Outings:
The first 3 summer outings have now finished and we are proposing 3 more later on in the summer, these dates and destinations are:

23rd July – Brockholes Nature Reserve

30th July – Morecambe Promenade

5th August, a Tuesday – Preston Docks. Stan has very kindly organised this trip. Tuesday? Preston Dragons is a Dragon Boat Racing club based in Preston and will be ‘using’ the docks for practise sessions – very photogenic! Well, it’s something different!

Directions and times will be in future newsletters, so keep an eye out!

Events Cup:
Our 4th destination is to:
RHS Garden Bridgewater, Monday 7th OR Sunday 13th July and it’s 40 miles and takes about 55 mins.
Directions and times will be in next week’s newsletter. 

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday June 25th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 1st week of 4 that we are running.

Wednesday July 2nd – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 2nd week of 4 that we are running.

Monday July 7th – Events Cup 4th destination, possible trip to RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Wednesday July 9th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 3rd week of 4 that we are running.

Sunday 13th July – Events Cup 4th destination, possible trip to RHS Garden Bridgewater.

Wednesday July 16th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 4th and final week of 4 that we are running.

Wednesday 23rd July – Club outing to Brockholes Nature Reserve.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Newsletter 08/06/25

Morning All
Many thanks to all who managed to get to Kirkby Lonsdale last Wednesday. No glorious sunset again, though it didn’t rain, well, not much!

Notices:
Club outing: This Wednesday – 11th June
Sunderland Point:
Meet: At 7.15pm on the car park opposite The Globe at Overton – 54 Main St, Overton, Morecambe LA3 3HF
19 miles – 31 minutes
From there we will cross the causeway to Sunderland Point.
Attached is a map of Sunderland Point and various ‘Points of interest.’
Vehicle access to the Point is via tidal causeway, on the days of very high tides the road can be covered by several feet of water for over four hours or even longer when there are exceptionally high tides and adverse weather conditions.
Generally, tides below eight metres are unlikely to cover the causeway, those above will cover the road for a time dependent on the height of tide. However, there is no hard and fast guide. The weather can and does strongly affect the behaviour of the tide.
Freda is organising this trip (Mike’s on hols).
Freda’s contact details: email: taylor_f2@sky.com Mob: 07742 925228
Tide Times for Overton: Wednesday 11 June 2025
High Tide: 12.10am: 5.58 metres
Low Tide: 8.52am: 0 metres
High Tide: 12.30pm: 5.36 metres
Low Tide: 9.10pm: 0 metres

Camera Course:
As a reminder we are running our Camera Course, ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ from June 25th until July 16th starting at 7pm NOT 7.30.
I need to emphasis that the camera course is open to ALL MEMBERS, not just those who have asked to join the course.
We have, to date, 11 people who have asked to join this course and they have a range of cameras: Samsung, Canon, Kodak, Lumix, Panasonic and Olympus, so far! We are still open for more to come along!
So, I’m asking, very kindly, of course, if any member would be willing to help up to 2/3 people with their camera during the ‘practical sessions.’
These practical sessions will last up to about an hour to an hour and a quarter. Obviously, I want to match their camera make to a member who has a similar camera make. 
By help I don’t mean a ‘deep dive’ into their camera! However, I think it is really important that the people go away with a new skill and a slightly better understanding of their camera – even if it is a few images taken in ‘auto!’
Also, it would be great to show the social and the companionship side of our club and you never know they may join! Joining, though, isn’t the ‘end-product’ it is getting our name out there in the local area and helping folk.
If you are able to help with the above, please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk so that I can begin to coordinate members to people.
If on the other hand you want to help out in any other way still email in, please, ‘cos you may have some great ideas that we haven’t thought of!
Thanks for reading the above and I know it may be a big ask but any assistance will support a smoother operation!
I’ve attached a basic ‘course content’ for you confirming dates and times; this I have sent to all the people.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday June 11th – Club outing to Sunderland Point. See details above.

Wednesday June 18th – back in the Arts Centre – ‘Show-and-Tell’ from the 3 outings we have been on; For your ‘Show-and-Tell’ images PLEASE bring them in on a USB ‘stick.’ Cheers!

Wednesday June 25th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 1st week of 4 that we are running. 

Wednesday July 2nd – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 2nd week of 4 that we are running. 

Wednesday July 9th – camera course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 3rd week of 4 that we are running. 

Wednesday July 16th – camera course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 4th week of 4 that we are running. 

That’s all folks!

Mike

Newsletter 01/06/25

Morning All
Very nice evening outing to Heysham last Wednesday; 14 of us meet up at the Heysham Village car park and, I’m sure, took some great photos on the circular route! No rain though but, unfortunately, no sunset, despite my confident predictions – another time perhaps!

Apology! Club outing!
I have had to swop Sunderland Point and Kirkby Lonsdale around, thanks to Paul’s diligent checking!
Why? Well, my excuse? I blame ‘Siri,’ when asked when the low tide was at Sunderland Point ‘it’ gave the wrong answer – well, that’s my excuse! Mind you wrong question perhaps!
So, next Wednesday – 4th June – the club outing is to Kirkby Lonsdale. Sunderland Point will be on Wednesday 11th June.

Notices:
Club outing: This Wednesday – 4th June
Kirkby Lonsdale:
Parking:
New Road Car Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth LA6 2AB Or
Dodgson Croft Car Park, Dodgson Croft Car Park, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth LA6 2AB. As you can see by the postcode these 2 car parks are next door to each other.
Meet at the car parks at 7.15 ready for the ‘off’ at 7.30.
These car parks are at the ‘top’ of the town. From here we can explore various areas finishing up at ‘Ruskin’s View. We could then take the ‘Radical Steps’ down to the River Lune and then walk along to Devil’s Bridge. Then re-trace our foot-steps back to the car parks.
Alternatively: After ‘Ruskin’s View’ we could return to the car park and drive to Devil’s Bridge parking on Bridge Brow. Open for discussion on the evening!
Weather: BBC weather says, ‘light rain showers and a moderate breeze – 11 degrees; sunset, quite possibly not!

Club outing: Next Wednesday – 11th June to Sunderland Point; details to follow in next week’s newsletter.

Events Cup:
Our 3rd destination is to:
Pennington Flash Nature Reserve.
Distance: 37 miles – 58 mins.
Dates: Thursday 5th June OR Saturday 7th June. Just a gentle reminder only one date is allowed.
Information:
Pennington Flash Nature Reserve
Address: St Helens Road, Leigh, WN7 3PA.
Directions:
Signposted from the A580 East Lancs Road. Follow the signs and turn onto the A579 Atherleigh Way then left onto the A572 St Helens Road. The main entrance is situated on St Helens Road opposite Leigh Fire Station.
Please note: Sat Nav users should use the postcode is WN7 3PA.
Parking:
Opening times: 6.30am – 7.30pm
Parking: Parking Charge: £2.50 all day pay and display.
The car park has 300+ spaces and 12 x 7kW electric vehicle chargepoints, installed in collaboration with Charge My Street.
The circular walk around Pennington Flash is approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) long, taking around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. Some sources suggest a slightly longer distance of 3.5 miles (5.7 km), with a suggested time of 2.5 hours for the walk. The walk is generally considered easy!
There are in fact eight good hides and also viewpoints, and there is a feeding station at bunting hide.

Refreshments? There is ‘The Hide Coffee House and Café’
The lakeside café is the perfect hide-out for nature lovers (so it says), – serving fresh coffee, breakfast, lunch, cakes and snacks. Dog friendly, with indoor and outdoor seating offering views over the water.
Open 7 days a week:
All images to be taken within Pennington Flash County Park; map attached.
Getting there.
I’m going on Thursday 5th June.
I suggest, to those who may want to go on the same day, we meet up at Kirkland & Catterall Memorial Hall, PR3 0HS at 8.45am to car share if necessary and set off at 9am.
Please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk if you are going on Thursday or ring me on 07340 314408 or use the message me on the Garstang Camera Club WhatsApp Group then I can expect you!

L&CPU Annual Exhibition and Awards 2025:
Info attached.

Up and coming programme of events:
Wednesday June 4th – Club outing to Kirkby Lonsdale – see above for details.

Thursday June 5th – Events Cup 3rd destination, possible trip to Pennington Flash Nature Reserve – see above

Saturday June 7th – Events Cup 3rd destination, possible trip to Pennington Flash Nature Reserve – see above

Wednesday June 11th – Club outing to Sunderland Point.

Wednesday June 18th – back in the Arts Centre – ‘Show-and-Tell’ from the 3 outings listed above; NOT the Events Cup! For your ‘Show-and-Tell’ images PLEASE bring them in on a USB ‘stick.’ Cheers!

Wednesday June 25th – Camera Course, – ‘Your camera, Learn it, Love it’ Our 1st week of 4 that we are running. Details next week. 

That’s all folks!

Mike

July 2025 News

This will be a brief report since we are now into our “ close season “ although it’s hard to believe.  We continue to meet each week although on a less formal basis.  We have had three successful outings during the past month to Heysham,  Kirby Lonsdale and Sunderland point, each blessed with good weather and well attended.

By the time this goes to print there will be three out of the four weeks remaining on our free tuition course  “ YOUR CAMERA, LEARN IT, LOVE IT “ and so if you missed the first, there is still time to catch up.

JULY 2cnd / 9th. 16th.  held at the Arts Centre, High St. Garstang beginning at 7.00pm – 10.00pm and the important word is FREE !  Just turn up.

For all information regarding the Club, go to the website below, or ring Mike our Chair on     07340  314408 .

Maurice Barker
garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Newsletter 25/05/25

Morning All

Inclement weather, eh? Photographing flowers in the rain!

Presentation evening:
Many thanks to all members who managed to come to the presentation evening last Wednesday and big congratulations to all our winners, well deserved! 
I thought Mike did a great job of presenting the trophies with a bit of banter thrown in and, all in all, in my opinion, the evening was a great success!

Big thanks to:
Maurice, for taking the photographs; these will be on our Facebook soon.
Freda, for organising Betty and her team.
Lewis, for coordinating the presentation and the trophies and the winning images displayed at the appropriate same time!

Note from John:
I have been delighted to have won the Photographer of the Year for three out of the last four seasons.
I have decided not to enter the Club competitions next season as I wish to concentrate on other photographic challenges.
Having said that, I might still enter the Anything Goes competition and will submit images for the inter club competitions.
Also, I would like to offer to help and guide any other member with their photography particularly if they wish to enter club competitions.
Obviously, I cannot take the photographs or actually process them but I can offer guidance and advice.
If any member is interested, please email me at john@johnmoxham.co.uk

Notices:
2026 Calendar:
Many thanks to all members who voted on the 72 photographs submitted for the calendar.
I’ve averaged out all of the votes and sent in, to the Arts Centre committee, the top 40 images for their consideration.
From these 40 images they will choose the 12 needed, or maybe 14 including for the front and back of the calendar. As soon as these are chosen, I will let everyone know.
In the meantime, I have attached a list of the 40 images and their respective authors.
Many thanks to all members who managed to submit photographs!

Poster:
I’ve attached a poster for your perusal!
It is for the camera course – Your camera, Learn it, Love it – that we are running for 4 weeks from June 25th. It is for info and, perhaps, for you to tell family, friends, neighbours or any other groups that may be interested!

Summer Season:
First outing – Heysham, Wednesday 28th May. The post code for the car park is LA3 2RW – Heysham Village Car Park. Basically, it’s a round walk of about a mile and a half.
I suggest we meet there (at the car park) at 7.15pm and ‘move-off’ at 7.30pm.
According to the BBC weather map we might be lucky! Light rain showers/sunny intervals and a moderate breeze, sunset at 21.28, 15 degrees – in ‘old’ money 59 Fahrenheit.

A reminder: there will be no actual meetings in the Arts Centre until Wednesday June 18th.

Second outing – Sunderland Point, Wednesday June 4th. I’ll put full details in next week’s newsletter.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday May 28th Summer programme starts – club outing to Heysham; see above.

Wednesday June 4thClub outing to Sunderland Point.

Wednesday June 11th – Club outing to Kirkby Lonsdale.

Wednesday June 18th – back in the Arts Centre – ‘Show-and-Tell’ from the 3 outings listed above.

That’s all folks!

Mike

June 2025 News

June already ! Regular meetings have ceased until September  BUT……. for non- members, we are again offering a FREE 4 week course to anyone with a camera or thinking of buying one.
The meetings take place at the Arts Centr on the High St. on Wednesday evenings on the following dates;
– 25th June
– 2nd July
– 9th July
– 16th July
Meetings begin at 7.00pm prompt and finish at 10.00pm.  The technicalities are broken down into easy to grasp stages, starting with  how a camera works/what it can do, composition with images, being creative and editing with software.  Do avail yourselves of this superb offer, where else do freebies exist without a catch ?  I must add that we are a very friendly club so, come test the water.
By the time this goes to print, we will have completed our year’s programme, social evening and prizewinners being given their awards.
Finally I look forward to meeting up in June, and also for our new year in September .

Maurice  Barker
garstangcameraclub.co.uk

Newsletter 18/05/25

Morning All

Thanks to:

  • Terry for his introduction and his DVD presentation on ‘Nature Watch,’ some great images there, Terry.
  • Stan for his short talk on Liverpool and his thoughts on guiding a trip there, probably on a Saturday. As Stan explained he is going on a ‘recky’ with his grand-daughters and will explore the ideal photographic opportunities – no pressure there Stan!
  • All members who managed to submit their monochrome images – really appreciate all efforts!
  • All members who took their time to vote on the 72 photographs sent in for the 2026 calendar – results soon!

Notices:

Summer Season:

First outing – Heysham, Wednesday 28th May. I’ve attached a map for our trip to Heysham and the post code for the car park is LA3 2RW – Heysham Village Car Park. Basically, it’s a round walk of about a mile and a half and possible photo opportunities are highlighted on the attachment.
I suggest we meet there (at the car park) at 7.15pm and ‘move-off’ at 7.30pm.
A reminder: there will be no actual meetings in the Arts Centre.

The following 2 weeks we will be going to Sunderland Point and Kirkby Lonsdale.
The whole idea is to get out and about, take photos, socialise, have fun and, importantly, it will also be a great opportunity for the ‘Alphabet Challenge!’
You will see, that on the 18th June we will gather again in the Arts Centre and share our images.

Our second camera course.
This is over 4 consecutive Wednesdays starting 25th June. I would like to stress this course is open to all members as well as any people we may attract through our advertising, mainly on local Facebook pages and via posters around Garstang and local areas.
Thia first session, presented by Stan, is to help members and guests 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 various areas organised within Garstang.
The whole idea is to help members and guests to get to know photography, socialise, put the camera club ‘on-the-map,’ have some fun and, possibly, attract future members.
It would be great if as many members as possible could attend and, where possible, help each other and our guests.
The evening will start at 7pm, NOT 7.30, and probably draw to a close around 9.30/45ish!
The following weeks will be on different aspects of photography, all followed by at least an hour and 15 minutes practical.

Very, very early notice:
The Opening Night Competition; 3rd September.
Best Projected Digital Image (PDI); Open, any subject, colour or monochrome.
One only PDI from any member taken in the last 12 months.
Image sent to me (Mike) by Monday 1st September on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk
All presented, anonymously, in a PowerPoint presentation.
On the night, each person present will vote, anonymously, on each one; maximum score of 20 points for each image, and a minimum of 12 points.
The winner is the image with the most points!
Brownie points only though I might have a bottle of wine/chocolates for the winner.
Winner announced the following Wednesday. 10th September.

Up and coming programme of events:
Sunday May 18th Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water. 
Wednesday May 21st Members Presentation Evening of Certificates and Trophies.
Wednesday May 28th Summer programme starts – club outing to Heysham; see above.
Wednesday June 4th Club outing to Sunderland Point.
Wednesday June 11th Club outing to Kirkby Lonsdale.
Wednesday June 18th – back in the Arts Centre – Show-and-Tell from the 3 outings listed above.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Newsletter 11/05/25

Afternoon All

Following on from the AGM the other week I have attached the minutes for you to read. Thanks Freda!

Notices:
Summer Season:
I’ve attached the programme for the summer season. As you will see the first 3 weeks, following on from the presentation evening, are club outings. Therefore, there will be no actual meetings in the Arts Centre.
The first, on 28th May, is to Heysham; the 21.28 is the sunset time.  
We would meet up at Heysham Village Car Park and then follow the coastal path taking in The Ship Sculpture, Heysham Coastline to the Pre-Conquest Rock-Cut Graves, St. Patrick’s Chapel and finally to St Peter’s Church. It’s about one and a half miles and with a bit of luck we may get a sunset!
The following 2 weeks we will be going to Sunderland Point and then Kirkby Lonsdale. 
The whole idea is to get out and about, take photos and socialise!
You will see, that on the 18th June we will gather again in the Arts Centre and share our images. It will also be a great opportunity for the ‘Alphabet Challenge!’
In a future newsletter I will give out exact details, times and where we will actually meet up.
You will also see that the following 4 weeks are dedicated to our second camera course – more details to follow in future newsletters.

Challenge:
Please don’t forget the latest challenge – monochrome images. You can bring your photos in on a USB ‘stick’ or email them to me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I will attach them to my PowerPoint.
It is an ‘open’ challenge – that is any subject, – and the date for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ is this Wednesday, 14th May.

A message from a Michael Thompson:
I Have a Panasonic GH3 with auto-focus lens.
Is there anyone in Garstang Camera Club prepared to help me make use of the auto focus possibilities of my camera, especially with the video possibilities and how to download etc. I’m happy to cover the costs of such help.
Thank you, Michael

If anyone is willing to help, please email me on info@garstangcameraclub.co.uk and I will pass on Michael’s email address – thanks.

Events Cup:
The destination is Coniston and Coniston Water and the 2 dates to choose from are Monday 12th May (tomorrow) OR Sunday 18th May.
Just to reiterate, you must choose only one date to take photographs.

Raffle:
As usual we will be running a raffle on Wednesday 21st (presentation evening) so, if anyone would like to donate a prize, it would be very appreciative! Please bring along anytime, not necessarily on the evening.

Up and coming programme of events:
Monday May 12th: Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water

Wednesday May 14th: Members Evening: Voting on the calendar photographs for the 2026 Garstang Calendar. A DVD presentation and the results of the challenge – ‘Show-and-Tell’ monochrome photographs and something from Stan!

Sunday 18th May: Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water

Wednesday May 21st: Members Presentation Evening of Certificates and Trophies. Mike Halford, Garstang Mayor, will be presenting the certificates and trophies. 

Wednesday May 28thSummer programme starts – club outing – see above.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Newsletter 04/05/25

Morning All

Many thanks to all members who managed to attend last Wednesday for the AGM and thanks Sue for the cakes!
Particular thanks to:
Robin for the treasurer’s report and to remind members that we are increasing all the membership fees by £2; so, a full membership fee from £58 to £60, Long service to £50 and Student and half year to £42. These increases are from 1st September 2025.

Lewis for showing the competition data and the report highlighting, in particular, the number of prints entered into the 5 internal competitions (the total prints fell from 115 to 64, a drop of 44%) – certainly food for thought.

Stan for his feedback on all the Battle scores showing the average score members gave, the average score the judges gave and the individual scores the images received from the 3 Battles; pointing out that there was quite a wide range of scores across many photographs. Subjective, eh?

Chair – that’s me! – the programme for 2025/26 is complete and I have attached a copy. Also attached are the destinations for the Events Cup 2025, which will run during the summer months, and the Competition programme for 2025/26. These are also on our website. 

Timely reminder to give many thanks to Tim for his efforts in keeping the website up to date and his website organisation and management!

I would also like to thank to all the committee, that is, the already mentioned above, plus Claire, Elaine, Freda, Rhona, Sue and Maurice and members for their invaluable contribution throughout the ‘season’ so far, without which, the club would surely not run. All the committee were re-elected, see below.

At this point I would like to say that we have still got a vacancy for the Programme Secretary, if any member would like to join our committee ‘team’ and take on this responsibility PLEASE email me. In the time-honoured phrase, training will be given, and I would anticipate that help would be given and a small team organised to complete this important part of the club’s itinerary.

Committee elected as follows:
Chair – Mike
Vice chair – Freda
Competition Secretary – Lewis
Treasurer – Robin
Secretary – Freda
Programme Secretary – vacant
Publicity – Maurice
Facebook – Rhona
Committee members – Sue, Claire and Elaine

Finally, I would like to say that the current committee has been in post for several years and over the coming next year, or certainly two, new members will have to come forward to take some responsibility. The present incumbents will need replacing eventually and I’m sure we would all agree that the club will need new blood to help establish the camera club for the future. This isn’t the tidings of bad news but just to state the obvious! Cheers!

Notices:
2026 Calendar:
Just to reminder everyone the deadline to submit images is Monday May 12th, just under 2 weeks away and voting will take place on Wednesday 14th May.
Many thanks to members who have already submitted their photographs. Need help? Just email in, it’s no problem!

Challenge:
Just a gentle reminder about the latest challenge – monochrome images.
It is an ‘open’ challenge – that is any subject, – and the date for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ is Wednesday 14th May;

Events Cup:
The second Events Cup ‘round’ is upon us! Already I hear you cry!
The destination is Coniston and Coniston Water and the 2 dates to choose from are Monday 12th May OR Sunday 18th May.
Just to reiterate, you must choose only one date to take photographs. Attached is a map showing the boundaries for the visit.

Raffle:
As usual we will be running a raffle on Wednesday 21st (presentation evening) so, if anyone would like to donate a prize, it would be very appreciative! Please bring along anytime, not necessarily on the evening.

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday May 7th: Steve Proctor EPAGB, BPE5* PPSA ‘Live.’ Presentation called ‘The Wildside.’
Steve writes: I share where I shoot nature images, including commercial hides, local patches, nature reserves and a safari in Kruger Park, South Africa. Along the way I will share my thinking and planning methods plus some simple techniques including how I post-process my nature images. Contains a number of A/V sequences.

Monday May 12th: Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water

Wednesday May 14th: Members Evening: Voting on the calendar photographs for the 2026 Garstang Calendar. A DVD presentation and the results of the challenge – ‘Show-and-Tell’ monochrome photographs.

Sunday 18th May: Possible Events Cup visit to Coniston and Coniston Water

Wednesday May 21st: Members Presentation Evening of Certificates and Trophies.

That’s all folks!

Mike

Newsletter 27/04/25

Afternoon All

Well, our 2 teams took part in the Charles Flatt Intergroup quiz last night and I can report that unfortunately we didn’t trouble the eventual winners, (the Poets), as we ended up amongst the also-rans! The silver lining is, of course, we don’t have to run it next year!
The 200 club draw was also held and you will be very pleased to learn that we won a prize! This bonus, of the evening, was, the winning of £50 in this draw – half a speaker’s fees! Robin seemed particularly pleased!

The Events Cup: I hope that some of you managed to get to Marton Mere and/or Stanley Park last Tuesday or Saturday and got the appropriate high quality photos! Anyone claiming a winning image? The weather was really in our favour, though I must admit, I was a little disappointed in Marton Mere; getting anywhere near the Mere proved difficult, but hey-ho!

Talks: Many thanks go to Stan and Lewis for their 2 presentations last week – Stan’s ‘My journey to plant photography’ and Lewis’s, after the break, ‘A tale of 3 Countries.’
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 was very much appreciated by us all.

Notices:

AGM
I’ve attached the agenda for the AGM – please have a quick read so you are up to speed! Other things are happening – see, Up and coming programme of events.

2026 Calendar
Just to reminder everyone the deadline to submit images is Monday May 12th, just over 2 weeks away and voting will take place on Wednesday 14th May.
Many thanks to members who have already submitted their photographs. Need help? Just email in.

Challenge:
Just a gentle reminder about the latest challenge – monochrome images.
It is an ‘open’ challenge – that is any subject, – and the date for the ‘Show-and-Tell’ is Wednesday 14th May; don’t delay, dust off that camera, get out and about now the weather is improving, especially next week.

Last Chance! Wednesday 21st May – Members Presentation Evening.
Presentation of certificates and trophies. We are rapidly approaching ‘last-orders’ for booking a place! Please speak to Freda this coming Wednesday as the ‘reservation book’ will close.
Many thanks to all members who have reserved a place or places; now is the time to pay please. Again, please see Freda this coming Wednesday – cheers!

Up and coming programme of events:

Wednesday 30th April: The clubs AGM and, following on from the break, a breakdown of the judge’s marks following this season’s Battles from Stan; plus ‘other’ things!’

Wednesday 7th May: Steve Proctor: ‘Live.’ Talk titled: The Wildside.
A digital presentation of images of natural life taken over the last 8 years in both the UK and abroad. Subjects range from invertebrates through to the largest of land mammals and many in between.

Monday May 12thEvents Cup; Possible visit to Coniston and Coniston Water.

Wednesday 14th May: Members Evening: Voting on the calendar photographs for the 2026 Garstang Calendar. A DVD presentation and the results of the challenge – ‘Show-and-Tell’ monochrome photographs.

Sunday May 18thEvents Cup; Possible visit to Coniston and Coniston Water.

Wednesday 21st May: Member’s Presentation Evening with the Presentation of Certificates and Trophies. Please don’t forget to book a place! The cost this year is £17 per member. Please book with Freda as soon as poss – cheers. LAST chance!

That’s all folks….

Cheers

Mike